We are all in this together | Helplines | April, 17

Published 3:59 pm Thursday, April 16, 2009

Column by Garnet Logan

Time after time, a person walks through the door at Helpline House with an anxious manner, creased brow or dejected look, and, later, leaves with a straighter back, a relieved demeanor and often a smile.

It happens every day.

Such was the case with the person who wrote this:

“Dear Helpline,thank you so much for paying immediate attention to my emergency need. I had awful pain and needed financial help to see a doctor. You made arrangements for me and paid half the bill. You are so-o-o wonderful! So good to live in a community where one can get help when needed. So glad to live in a place where people care about each other. I care also. I’m busy at a job each day but if I can be fit in to help whoever with whatever, just call me. “

Things are busy at Helpline House these days. Stressors of all kinds are pulling at all kinds of people. Social worker Linda Hayes urges people to make an appointment and come in and talk about their situations when they find themselves heading towards trouble.

“This is affecting all of us at all economic comfort levels,” she said. “We (social workers) lend people our brains; we’re on the outside so we can think more clearly. Coming in with your spouse helps, whether it’s as a marital unit or as a family; then you know what the options are and coming in early is wise.”

Food bank use is skyrocketing. Each day we see at least two or three new clients who request food for the first time, and we are now providing food to over 200 households weekly. Many have lost their jobs; others still have jobs but their hours have been cut or they are facing unexpected medical bills or other unanticipated essential expenses.

“In these troubled times,” said Marilyn Gremse, volunteer coordinator, “even though working full time, people are finding they must find ways to reduce their cash expenditures, so they come to the food bank… Many people seek out the food bank so they can adequately feed their children…in any one week almost 300 children in our affluent community are eating food brought to their homes from the food bank.”

Such spreading malaise is discouraging, and there are people who hesitate to walk through the door to Helpline House, those who don’t take action in the hope that things will get better or those who just can’t bring themselves to face their alarming situations. Such friends or relatives, or even you, dear reader, might wish to take advantage of the new Helpline outreach effort called “Navigating by GPS” (Guidance, Planning and Support). Anyone is welcome to drop in to see a social worker at our off-site location for the remainder of April at the Elder and Adult Day Services Facility (EADS) at 9723 Coppertop Loop, Suite 101, across from Sakai Intermediate School.

The walk-in service will be available mornings, afternoons, and two evenings. Details are on our website, www.helplinehouse.org.

We are all in this together, neighbor helping neighbor.

Garnet Logan is a member of the Board of Directors of Helpline House.