The story goes on to describe how several local churches have turned away from simply giving charity and toward mentoring individuals. Sandra now has a car and a home for herself and her four children. For the first time in her life, she has hope. She has become a participant in our society. The story goes on to describe how Tammy now has apartment and is enrolled in nursing school.
Tammy is now a participant in our world.
These good deeds, while worthy, lack the hands on approach that Dr. King preached about. If we are to turn this country around, and offer the dream of justice and the pursuit of happiness to every American, we are going to have to pitch in and really help. We are going to have to offer long-term solutions that apply to real people. And we are going to have to learn how to assist those real people into becoming true participants in our world. As justice professionals we are in a unique position to do that.