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(published in San Antonio
Express-News Dec. 23, 2000)
Faith-based
programs help needy
(The following
OpEd was written by Dr. Kurt Senske in response
to President Bush's faith-based initiative.)
Earlier this week, President-elect George W. Bush
hosted a meeting with a diverse group of religious
leaders, including Father Virgilio Elizondo, to solicit
input on how best to help faith-based programs change
people's lives.
From his first days as governor of
Texas, Bush has maintained a commitment to expanding
partnerships between government and faith-based organizations
to address social problems. He did this because he
believes deeply that faith-based programs have the
potential to transform people's lives in ways that
government and for-profit programs cannot.
Real transformation occurs when a client is cared
for by a social worker, a counselor or a mentor who
feels compelled to help others. Lasting change is possible
when the motivation is making a difference in the lives
of needy, not in expanding the profit margin.
For those who doubt, I encourage you to ask any of
the nearly 200 single mothers and their daughters who
have been involved in our Coaching for Success and
Youth Experiencing Success programs, now in their second
year in San Antonio. This program partners women of
faith with single mothers who are trying to make the
difficult transition from welfare to the work force.
We train our mentors to offer nonjudgmental support.
They lend a sympathetic ear and work with their partners
to find solutions to those barriers (a lack of self-confidence,
child care, transportation and interpersonal relations,
for example) that may keep them dependent on public
assistance. Our mentors are carefully instructed to
not force their faith on their partners, but to serve
as examples of Christian compassion.
Does it work?
Surveys of our clients show that 80 percent have increased
in self-confidence after being in our program, and
more than 60 percent are still employed or have improved
their employment status.
This means someone like Dana Hopes, a single mother
who once was dependent on public assistance and who
has now been employed for more than a year, is deeply
committed to self-sufficiency.
She wants a better life for herself and her son and
has confidence in her ability to achieve it. a "graduate" of
Coaching for Success, she has benefited tremendously
from the encouragement and support of her mentor, Hollye
Smith Schwartz.
The difference in Dana's attitude -- and her life--
is the result of someone caring and making a commitment
to help her.
That lasting change is what President-elect Bush is
striving for when he talks about how faith-based programs
can transform people's lives.
Not only do the individuals involved benefit, we,
as a society, realize the rewards.
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