Jowanza Joseph

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Helping Struggling Parents In My Neighborhood

18.6.65

Over the last six months, several workforce reductions have impacted thousands of people across the US economy. I've seen the impacts of these layoffs and the slowdown in the housing sector impact people where I live in Midvale, Utah. As I've engaged with people on Nextdoor, Facebook, and other community apps, I've noticed an increase in people asking for help, looking for work, and trying to avoid homelessness. For the most part, I've taken the approach I've always had when helping neighbors. I do what I can on a one-off basis, trying to connect with people where I can. This year I felt compelled to organize something more significant, and this post explains why I'm asking for help. 

Of the trends, I've noticed in my neighborhood chat groups, the ones that concern me the most are parents who cannot provide clothing for their children. While I've never faced this same challenge as a parent, I faced it many times as a kid. The stress of providing for four children as a single parent took a toll on my late mother. Her work ethic, selflessness, and care for others have inspired me to go above where I usually would to help struggling parents.

What I'm Doing

I've talked to several parents in my community who could use help with children's clothes, toys, and other goods. I've asked them to compile a list on Amazon or Walmart to make it easy for anyone to pick an item off their list and have the gift shipped to them. From here, I've started to buy things, and so have some people in my neighborhood. Now that I've been into this for a bit, I'm realizing organizing a broader way for people to donate and buy gifts will result in a more significant impact.

How You Can Help

If you are in a position to help, I’ve outlined below how you can help.

Buy a gift for someone. 

I put all the lists together in a table and organized them. If you have Amazon Prime, gifts from Amazon shouldn't cost you any extra to ship (Assuming you're in the US). Walmart will have some minimums for free shipping; keep an eye out for those. I've combed through the lists, and here are some things about the lists:

  • Most items are under <=$20

  • Most lists focus on immediate needs.

  • Clothing items are the most valued and requested; you'll also see they are the most expensive.

Donate Money

If you prefer not to buy a gift for whatever reason but still wish to give, I've included links to my peer-to-peer payment accounts. I will use any money donated to work through the backlog of gifts on the list. Any remaining funds will be donated to Utah Food Bank

Help

If you have any issues getting a gift, email me: at jowanza.joseph@gmail.com.

Share

I hope that whoever is in a position to give will do it. They don't have to know me or anyone asking for help. I hope this message and effort appeal to many and they donate. If you see this post on social media or elsewhere, sharing it goes a long way.

Thanks

I want outreach like this to help relieve stress for people in my community. I hope that each parent can carry one less burden at the end of the year.