Helping those in need help themselves
Jim McNutt/Observer-Reporter Exterior of the Observer-Reporter building in Washington.
Two Washington County institutions dedicated to helping others launched endeavors that will help their clients help themselves.
In the Tuesday edition, we reported how Washington City Mission is expanding its work-training programs as it gears up to open eight additional Hidden Treasures thrift stores in Greene, Washington and Fayette counties in the months ahead. City Mission will not only be able to provide training to its residents who struggle with homelessness and, in some cases, addiction, but it can also offer those services to individuals who are referred to the agency.
The training program City Mission is offering lasts three weeks and certifies trainees who have undergone an aptitude test can take on customer-service or retail work and have the “soft skills” necessary to succeed in these environments.
Cora Mitchell, a vocational trainer at City Mission, explained for residents who are trying to shake off addiction, “the training program stops the cycle of them trying to get clean and relapsing, and it gives them hope. They start dressing better and taking pride in themselves. It shows them they can continue to move forward. And part of it is learning to budget money, so that when they have cash in their pocket it’s not a trigger to go out and use again.” Indeed, “soft skills” are increasingly important in today’s workplace, no matter the trade or the educational attainment of employees. An article published by Business News Daily pointed out necessary “hard skills” are shifting all the time, while “soft skills” like being able to work with others, having a good attitude and a solid work ethic are constants.
Then, in the July 17 edition of the Observer-Reporter, we reported on the opening of a 24,500-square-foot headquarters for Greater Washington County Food Bank. Located in the onetime home of County Fresh Market in Centerville, the new home of the food bank includes a “Healthy Habits” training center along with a warehouse and administrative offices. At the training center, classes will be offered on nutrition, cooking and canning, along with smoking cessation and personal finance, which are not necessarily related to food but are both key components in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The classes will be open to both clients and all county residents.
Heidi Hoffman, the food bank’s donations director, remarked on the day the ribbon was cut on the new facility, “A lot of times, we get food donations like spaghetti squash. People will look at it and think, ‘What do I do with this?'”
Another bonus: The new food bank facility has 22 acres of land nearby on which it can grow crops.
Giving assistance to those in need is, it goes without saying, essential. But so is offering the kind of assistance that can help those in need stand on their own and dramatically improve their lot in life. Greater Washington County Food Bank and Washington City Mission deserve support for embracing this approach.