This year has been a tough year for every day people.  The main family income earners are regularly losing their jobs.  Looking around any community it’s clear to see the kind of damage that is going on.

Where do these people turn?  If you’ve never navigated social services, our friends at First Helping have plenty to say about how difficult it can be.  But now all of a sudden, it’s YOUR family.  Well apparently the middle class doesn’t know where to turn either.  The New York Times highlights some of the issues here.  The economy has not only made the world harder to live in, at times its become impossible.

I’m an optimist though.  Thinking about this actually seems like it will be good for the nonprofit sector in the long run.  A major issue for nonprofits is the stereotypes that get placed onto our clients and our work.  People that know and understand some of the difficulties first hand make for long term supporters that are invaluable.

As we look to improve the nonprofit sector, to make ourselves better and the organizations that we work with better, maybe this will help in the long run.  Every day people fight the issues of hunger and homelessness, hopefully when those people win their battles and land on their feet, they can lend a helping hand to others as well.

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