"I need this."  

School has begun and the fourth group of investigators for the fall/winter session of Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World commenced on Wednesday, September 3.  8 fabulous, intelligent women living in the Pottstown community are the force behind this group.  During their introductions, many shared attending this group has been the highlight in their lives in the previous week.  The isolation, hopelessness, and the struggle to at least make today a little better, is overwhelming.  Each wants a better life, one especially with more stability, but it eludes them every day from powers beyond their control such as family, community conditions, socioeconomic power, transportation, exploitation, and so on.  Within an hour or two of meeting, one woman proudly proclaimed she has finally met her family, a family with us.  She moved to Pottstown and in this first meeting, she took a deep breath of relief as tears fell from her eyes as she graciously thanked God for giving her a family.  A few of the women shared they have incarcerated children all from drug use and falling into the hands of the wrong crowd.  The heartbreak is palpable amongst these women who have tried unsuccessfully to pry their children from the malignancy of addiction. In the three hours of our first workshop, the women swapped phone numbers and expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to meet weekly through December. 

This is my fourth time facilitating and have not faltered from having the investigators beginning on day 1 solidified as a group with no additions... until today. Today the group grew to 10. 

This morning a woman who had been slated to participate ran breathlessly into the outreach center asking to speak with me.  She was picked up on Wednesday for court, unable to make it back by noon, and ultimately missed the first workshop. "Please?! I need this!"

Another woman called pleading for food after not eating for 3 days and in an unsuccessful attempt to connect with the caseworker, was bounced back to the receptionist when she then stated she was suicidal and can't do this life anymore.  I intercepted the call and immediately had her come to the outreach center to learn her despair is a direct result of her job. The consumer she cares for as a home health aide has been out of town for over a month, leaving her without an income and her food stamp benefits don't replenish until the 9th.  She is alone, knowing no one in Pottstown, and starving; both for food and a friend.  I gave her a synopsis of the workshops and extended a seat for her at the table.  Through exasperation, she accepted the application and will be returning early next week.  Additionally, she assured me she is safe and not in danger of harming herself nor others but struggles with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder that makes her feel "out of her head."  As she left she turned and said, "Thank you, I really need this."

It isn't always about money but rather time, specifically quality time and quality relationships.  In the words of James Comer, "No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship."  Mutual respect and understanding is the foundation of the outreach center's UP3 Initiative. I look forward to sharing the journey as we co-investigate poverty, focus on a future emphasizing stability, and build relationships essential to "getting ahead."