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Hope. One Tiny Home at a Time 3/12/2016 7:20:46 PM
A hand up...
A group in Madison, WI who call themselves “Occupy Madison” opened a new community of tiny houses for the homeless in late 2014. The community is comprised of nine homes, a resource center and gardening area.
A fascinating “Why didn’t we think of that” project, funded by private donors and built by volunteers.
These little houses are multifunctional. They provide a break from the elements. Their occupants will have an address, which is needed for the employable to find work. They can grow a bit of their own food. Before people can get back on their feet and take advantage of job training and drug and alcohol counseling, they need a place to live.
The funny thing about giving is that it’s contagious. When you do something selfless, it can take on a life of its own. At least it does for me. I think about what else I can do to help. I’d like to think that those who donated and the volunteers who built the community was bitten by the same bug, and are paying it forward in other ways.
Today's political climate is a “Robin Hood in Reverse” scenario. Take from the poor and give to the rich. Many of the moneyed who already have more than they or their heirs will spend in two centuries continue to accumulate wealth at the expense of the poor; those whose fragile existence is one paycheck away from sleeping on the sidewalk.
Giving to those who are less fortunate isn’t as popular as it once was.
But it’s far from extinct.
Small home communities are proof that there are still Good Samaritans out there who genuinely want to help the needy, who believe recipients are the best of investments and who don’t expect anything in return.
Granted it’s only nine homes, but Pandora’s Box has been opened in Madison. They hope to build more and expand the services offered by their community.
Austin TX, Greensboro NC and Portland OR have already jumped on the bandwagon. Groups from 23 states, and several countries have come to Madison to observe the village and see how it operates. Clearly building tiny houses is an idea whose time has come.
Initiatives like these remind me of one of Jesus' most important directives.
“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34.
Housing, food and dignity. There for the taking. Given with no expectations.
