Changing the Language We Use

Changing The Language We Use

By Garrett Recker 

       As the cost of living continues to rise, so does the individuals within the unstable housing community. Over the last decade, people have become more conscious of the language they use. Each word carries weight and implications. The term “homeless” has been used to categorize individuals and identify a community who lack a place to live. This term, however, carries weight with it and strips those with the label of humanizing qualities. 

The term “home” encompasses the physical space but its reach extends beyond that. A home, for many people, is a place of safety. It’s the memories that invoke emotions. A home is a community were people bond and celebrate life together. Labeling a community “homeless,” simplifies the unique struggle of the individual and implies the community’s lacks the emotions and memories within every person. It creates an “us” and “them” mentality which fuels the idea that they are more a problem and less a community needing extra help. Instead, the term “houseless” encompasses just the lack of living space—the physicality of a home—while allowing them to keep the emotional aspect. By just focusing on the physical structure, it implies that their living status can change. They already have the ability to make a home, they just need the space to put it in. Everyone may not have a house, but everyone has a home. 

Begin changing your mind and the mind of others through the use of language. Go to these sites to learn about the importance of the term “houseless” and listen to others who have made the change. 

https://dogoodmultnomah.org/blog/why-do-we-say-houseless

http://www.dailyuw.com/opinion/columnists/article_c49de396-6a37-11e9-9264-7779b196d381.html

https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/why-kirsten-harris-talley-makes-a-point-of-using-the-word-houselessness/

#HouselessNotHomeless

You get rewards, they get rewards, we all get rewards.

Do you enjoy giving? What if you had the opportunity to give to the community by doing something that you are actively doing. What if you could give back to the community by doing your chores, like grocery shopping. How can this be? Well if you are a Fred Meyers reward member (available with free subscription) you can donate cash rewards to your preferred non-profit or 501 organization. All you have to do is link your rewards card to the nonprofit of your choice. To link a non-profit to your existing card please click on the HYPERLINK. 

Fred Meyers can donate over $2 million each year, up to $550,000 each quarter to the local schools, community organizations and nonprofits of your choice. You still receive your reward points, fuel points, and rebates. This is a great opportunity to give back financially, without having it affect your budget. It is a great opportunity especially for students or others living on a limited or fix income. You will be able to view a balance of how much you have donated to the Non-profit linked to the Fred Meyers community rewards program.  

Local schools, community organizations and nonprofits can earn up to $550K each quarter. If the non-profit organization is not register, they can complete an application by clicking on the HYPERLINK.

If you have any questions you can contact Fred Meyers by phone at 1-800-576-4377

 

 

Help your community while helping yourself.

Are you looking for opportunities to help yourself, family, and individual in the community that may not have the resources or ability to provide food for themselves or their family? Many food box distributions have a limit on what people get and most of the food is donated and must be nonperishable. This limits the food that people must choose from. Gleaners of Clackamas county (13821 Fir St, Oregon City, OR 97045) a non-profit ran by volunteers is a savior for many. This may be the solution to a social epidemic that seems to be growing, the lack of nutritious available low-cost food available in the community.  In order to become a volunteer, you will need to live in Clackamas County and pay a monthly membership of $25.00. With this monthly membership, gleaners purchase items that are not generally donated like meat, milk, cheese, eggs, etc. at a discount wholesale rate. These purchased items are distributed to the members and their adoptees.

As a member the individuals that live in your household also have access and benefits provided to members. Not only will you have access to nutritious low-cost food, you can also have an adoptee and share your portion of the food with them. In order to have an Adoptee you will need to be a member and the adoptee must live in Clackamas county, be 65 years or older, or have a disability. The individuals who meet the adoptee criteria, but need a sponsor can be placed on a list of adoptees and the next available sponsor can adopt them. Gleaners dose not only provide an ability to give back to the community and help yourself by obtaining nutritious food, they also reinforce and promote community. If you want to give, but don’t have the time to donate you can also make financial donations. To give please click on the link to DONATE. 

If you are interested in becoming a member or have additional questions please click on the HYPERLINK  and submit your first and last name, E-mail address, and comments a representative from gleaners should contact you shortly. Or call them directly at (503) 655-8740.