Novato Residents Take Care of their Neighbors

When times are good, philanthropic giving seems to be in abundance and it feels easier to be charitable to help keep others afloat.  When times are bad, surprisingly, many caring people still come forward to support the neediest in our communities even when it is less comfortable to do so.  

Why?  Because people understand that poverty brings us all down.  Poverty breeds discontent and reduces opportunities for those caught in its viscous web

The American dream is becoming more and more difficult to achieve for many of us. 

This Great Recession has truly rocked us.  Everyone is trying to stay anchored and hang onto whatever security they can find. Not only is the need greater than ever for those already bumping bottom, but the middle class continues to be riddled with serious holes as more and more people stand in unemployment lines for the very first time.  And at no time has it been more evident that we live on a very small planet.  

When the tide is low, all of the boats sink.  The less fortunate are at risk of becoming stuck in the muddy bottom of our poorly functioning economy. 

The good news: Many economists tell us that the worst is most likely over. 

We are stalled but not at a dead stop. When we get to the other side of the recovery, the most noteworthy memory may be, not the misery, but the unbeatable spirit which propelled us through.  As in any crisis, the most interesting historical note may be our collective moral behavior as we navigated through bad times.

In Novato people care. Let’s continue to work together to support our community and find solutions that will benefit the collective whole.  Thank you, Novato, for your passion, your vigor, and your commitment to keeping our entire community afloat during these uncertain times of changing tides.

— Deanna Euritt, Executive Director, Novato Human Needs Center