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First We Listen ( or at least that's what we say....)
Since I came to work for United Way I have been asked quite a few times, what we do at United Way. My answer has always been that first, we listen. I've been proud to give this answer and truly believe that we do listen. The problem is who are we listening to? I was schooled big time last week in understanding WHO to listen to.
One of the programs we run out of our United Way is the Packing for the Weekend Program. This is a backpack program that provides food for families over the weekend. It has grown quickly with schools participating in Red Wing and Canon Falls, families in Lake City and a new program beginning through the Plum City Food Shelf.
Up to this point the program is only offered in elementary schools. there has been concern about embarrassment and bullying if we send backpacks home with older children. The younger students do not feel this and are proud to be helping their families.
Over the past year we have been hearing that there is an equal if not larger need for weekend meals among middle school students. We adults have talked and talked about how to make this work to no avail. Conversation always comes back to the embarrassment factor for older kids. So I did something I hadn't really considered before. I talked to the social worker and principal at the middle school and asked if we could talk to the kids and find out if there was a way to get food to them without embarrassing them. The school was so supportive and set up a time, place and even kids for me to chat with.
What happened was astounding. The fifth and sixth grade students told me I was crazy, they wouldn't be embarrassed at all to bring home food. The seventh grade students were different. Although they readily admitted to being hungry "all of the time" they did not want to carry the backpack.
- Other kids would notice
- Other kids would ask
- Other kids would tease
Then one bright young girl spoke up " How about a gym bag?" The rest of the room considered the idea and quickly agreed. A gym bag carried home on a Friday wouldn't attract attention. It might be gym clothes or the important stuff needed for an overnight at a friends home.
So simple, yet none of the adults had thought of it. This was a backpack program and not one of us ventured away from that idea. Wow, it was as if that girl knocked me in the head with a big, red board. I've haven't been listening to the right people at all. I've researched and read and talked to the experts and missed talking to the real people in the know, those receiving services.
This was a very big lesson learned and luckily within my first year as Executive Director. If you see or hear me making that mistake again, talking to the so called experts before listening to the people on the front line, tell me! Just say, text or email me the word "Gym Bag".
If that doesn't work, get out that big, red board!
Maureen Nelson
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