One Year, Two Months and Three Days

This is another (long overdue) story from the Church for All People.    I'd
also like to let you know that our Coffee Houses are resuming this Thursday
from 6-8 p.m.  These are really a blast -- R&B, gospel, jazz and blues, plus
coffee and snacks.  Bring a snack to share!   Then on Saturday night, our
Open Mic program is featuring Orange Juice a young rock band; Johnny Miracle
a really gifted positive rapper, and the All People Youth Band, with Juan
Martin and David Edgar.     Click here for info:
I hope you'll join us at one of these events.  As always, if you wish to 
be removed from this mailing, please just let me know.

ONE YEAR, TWO MONTHS AND THREE DAYS

"Praise god, I've been working now for one year, two months and three days!"
Jason Banner shares statements like this on a regular basis during sharing
of joys and concerns in worship at The United Methodist Church for All
People.

I have written before about Jason, one of our long time church members, who
is one of the most positive-spirited people I know.  Every time I see him he
has a huge smile and a cheerful greeting.  Jason has a record, one that
resulted more from ignorance than malice, and so it was hard for him to find
employment.  He very successfully worked for over a year as a part-time
employee of our jewelry making business.  This taught him valuable work
skills such as being on time, being part of a team, following instructions,
and so forth.

Jason went on to get a full-time job as a custodian at a hotel near the
airport.  Jason is very proud of this job and mentions it frequently.  He
has been a steady and dedicated employee for some time.  His employers must
also be happy because he received a promotion and a raise.  

Jason lives on the near North side, just off of I-71 and 17th Street on the
East side of I-71.  He shares a trailer in a trailer park in a very
depressed and dangerous neighborhood.  

It takes Jason 2 hours EACH WAY on the bus to get from his house on the near
north side to to his job near the airport.  Jason is cheerful about this,
but I often wonder how many people would be as highly motivated to take a
low-paying job and have to be on a bus for four hours of every day?    God
bless him for his dedication and hard work!

Why am I telling you this story?  Well, for one, I'm as proud of Jason as he
is of himself and I think he's doing the right thing.  But I also want to
point out the severe issues of transportation that our city presents to
those who want to work.  A lot of judgement comes down on the heads of the
poor from those who have no experience of the multitude of challenges that
pile up on people who genuinely want to work.  

Many jobs in Columbus are not easily accesssible by bus.  Therefore, people
often must have a car if they are going to have a job.  Many of these people
cannot afford to pay for a car AND gas AND insurance.  So, they drive
uninsured until they are caught and then their license is taken away.
Without their car they can't work, so many times they then drive without a
license.  Then when they are caught, their car is impounded and they face
criminal charges and sometimes jail.  This downward spiral is incredibly
common.   Now with gas prices so high, the situation is even worse.

A young single mother we know faced exactly this predicament. Over the
course of a year she lost her license and then her car.   In the process she
lost her job and her children were nearly taken by Social Services because
she didn't have a job.  Fortunately she found another, but her situation is
still very precarious and she must rely on others for transportation.  All
she was trying to do was provide for her children as best she could.  I'm
not saying people should drive without insurance or licenses, but surely, if
we want people to work, it should be easier for them to do so!    

Some might say that a person should live closer to their job but this is
utterly impossible for many people.  People must live where they can afford
housing and work where they can find a job.  These two things are often on
two different sides of the city.

I'm suggesting these two things:  

1)  Next time a COTA levy comes up -- VOTE FOR IT.  Write your
representatives, the Mayor, and newspapers to demand better, more
comprehensive, public transportation.  It is good for people and good for
the environment.  Lobby for better public transportation to help everyone
get to work.

2)  I'm also suggesting that we add to our donations of food and clothing, a
way to help low income people make a living.  People need gas cards and bus
passes.  We have started a transportation fund at the Church for All People.
If you would like to donate to this fund, gas cards and bus passes will be
given to those who need them for getting to work and for caring for their
families.  Bus passes can be purchased at these locations:
http://www.cota.com/pass_outlets.asp  Both day and week passes are needed.
Gas cards can usually be purchased at any gas station.   You can deliver or
send passes or cards, or donations for them, to 

Community Development/Church for All People
P.O. Box 06063, 
Columbus, Ohio 43206  

Mark donations "Transportation Fund".  

As always, we treasure your support and participation.  Worship is at 10:00
a.m. on Sundays and prior to the opening of the Free Store Tues - Thursday.
Volunteers are always welcome.  Prayers are deeply appreciated.

Blessings,

Eileen