Disclaimer: This article was originally published on February 26, 2025, by Tri-States Public Radio. It was written by Jamie Roth, Community Services & Public Relations Director for WIRC-Community Action Agency. Original article can be viewed here.
There is a famous quote by Fred Rogers who said his mother encouraged him to, “Always look for the helpers,” when he saw news reports that scared him as a child. The world can be a scary place, no matter your age, but humans have an amazing trait of selflessly helping others.
It is important to see those helpers; firefighters risking their lives to douse a wildfire or lifeguards saving someone from drowning, for example.
Natural disasters and similar events play well on television, so it is no surprise those dramatic examples are front of mind when thinking of helpers.
Have you thought about the people who help with hidden disasters?
I am talking about unfortunate events that can happen to any of us, such as losing your job because your car broke down; being diagnosed with cancer and facing homelessness because you cannot work; escaping an abusive household and starting over; or finally retiring and realizing you cannot afford to pay the bills on a fixed income.
These “hidden” disasters may not be as exciting as what is reported by the news or featured in movies, but they are significant. These events are a critical blow made with pinpoint accuracy, and the effects can be felt for generations.
Who do you turn to when hidden disasters happen? Your local Community Action Agency may be able to help.
Community Action Agencies, also known as CAAs, are nonprofit social service agencies created over 50 years ago by federal legislation to improve the lives of people with low incomes and their communities. Today, there are over 1,000 agencies across the United States who work to lift people out of poverty. Each CAA creates and offers programs based on the needs of their service area. They also involve and empower the community to be a part of the process, hence ‘Community Action’.
WIRC-Community Action Agency is one of those agencies based in Macomb, Illinois.
That is where I have been privileged to work for almost seven years. During that time, I have learned five hard truths about poverty that I wish everyone knew:
- Poverty can still find you, even if you do everything right. For the wealthy, it would take a significant event. For the average person, it could be as simple as breaking your leg.
- Poverty is complex, and so are the solutions. Cookie-cutter solutions do not fix all problems.
- Poverty is traumatic for the people living in it, and the people trying to help them. Living in a constant state of survival is stressful and causes trauma. Over time, nonprofit workers can experience secondary trauma through hearing those heartbreaking stories of survival. Compassion fatigue is real.
- Poverty makes people feel vulnerable and uncomfortable. Some people cope by being workaholics, some choose to bully those who ask for help, and some choose to make a difference.
- Poverty is used as a tool of “othering” people seen as “less than”. One person told me they never thought they would be like “one of those people” they saw living on the street, but their spouse passed away and they lost their spouse’s income. Suddenly, they were facing homelessness. It was a hard lesson in humility.
The Community Action Promise says, “Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.”
How wonderful it would be if we all shared that mission!
The next time you see people trying their best to escape poverty, imagine yourself in their shoes. Think about how you can help by volunteering, donating or sharing information.
And, when you see the helpers, encourage them to keep going.
Together, we can fight the causes of poverty instead of the people living in it and make America a better place to live.
Jamie Roth is the Community Services & Public Relations Director for the Western Illinois Regional Council – Community Action Agency.
The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of TSPR or its license holder, Western Illinois University.
Diverse opinions are welcomed and encouraged.
