November is the Month to Give
November 4, 2009 by Fernando DeGuia
From the Editor:
There are many ways to give back to our communities. Some people volunteer their time, donating a few hours of their day to organizations that serve the homeless or by tutoring kids in their neighborhoods. Some people, donate their talents. They sing, or do comedy for worthy causes. Some people donate their treasure, their money. What organization could function without funds?
This month, November, K12Genie is dedicating much of our content to the theme of “Giving”.
I myself volunteer at a local homeless shelter once a month. At 7:30 PM on the first Friday of every month, a friend and I meet at the St. Francis Xavier basement on West 15th Street in Manhattan. We prepare a table of food for a group of homeless men that will arrive by 8:30 PM from one of the intake organizations in the New York area. When the bus arrives, we check the roster to make sure all the men, most of whom are regulars, are accounted for. They get their rollout beds and sheets from the storage room, take what food they want from the table, and prepare for bed. By 10 PM, they are all asleep; wake up is at 5:30 AM the following morning. My friend and I sleep in the shelter, in rollout beds just like theirs. Through this work, we not only help provide these men a safe and dry place to stay the night, we get the opportunity to see the world through a different lense. There are numerous shelters and programs like this in New York City and around the country. They couldn’t operate without volunteers, without people that are willing to lend a hand in whatever way they can.
You probably volunteer in some capacity yourself or know someone that does.
You might be wondering why K12Genie, an organization focused on relationships between kids and parents, would focus on volunteerism or giving? Through the articles and content this month, hopefully you’ll see why. For those of you that already have an answer, we’ll help you improve the relationships you already have with your kids or parents and deepen your understanding of yourself and them.
Sincerely,
Fernando DeGuia, Founder and Editor
You’ll find all articles or content related to this month’s theme under Monthly Themes
