Just a hand, not a handout.

Sam was back this week. We have seen him off and on for a number of years. He is a good kid, functions on a pretty basic level. He has two beautiful daughters – ages 8 and 2 years old. The factory where he was working closed and because of some changes in the law, he can’t collect unemployment. He’s not sure how he will feed his family; he doesn’t know how he can look for work with no money for gas – he lives in a remote part of this very rural county. He is one who has been in and out of our system. He is always compliant – he does what we ask, he takes his medications, and when he has work he is insured and we don’t see him for a while.
He is one of the ones I feel the most strongly about supporting. If we can help him stay healthy, he will be back at work. He needs the help that society can give him – he doesn’t want to be idle, he doesn’t want a hand-out. What he wants and needs is a hand. A hand to help him up when he’s down, a hand to guide him because he really is in over his head when it comes to dealing with issues other than survival. Like I said, he’s a good kid, and helping him will make our world a better place.