Good Trouble: Finding Inspiration in Congressman John Lewis’ words.
Just a few short weeks ago, HomeAid's leadership from across the country gathered in Atlanta for HomeAid's National Leadership Conference which was sponsored by Ashton Woods. During our time together, we learned, laughed, and shared not about only our work with HomeAid but discussed the future and impact that we can have as we collectively work together.
Much of our time together was captured on the shirt that Mandy Crater, Executive Director of HomeAid Atlanta wore one day with the simple words “Good Trouble”.
This is about Congressman John Lewis who despite his youth, became a recognized leader in the Civil Rights Movement and by 1963, was recognized as one of the "Big Six" leaders of the Civil Rights Movement that included Whitney Young, A. Phillip Randolph, Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer, and Roy Wilkins.
In his memoir, Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America, John Lewis reflects on his involvement in the civil rights movement and offers his perspective on the current state of race relations in America. But Lewis’s message also extends to a broader call to action for individuals to get involved in their communities and work toward positive change as he outlines in a straightforward manner with chapters on Faith, Patience, Study, Truth, Act, Peace, and Love.
Specifically, he states that:
“Nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society. Why? Because human beings are the most dynamic link to the divine on the planet”
One of the most pressing issues facing many communities today is homelessness. It’s a complex problem that requires a multifaceted solution, but there are steps that individuals can take to make a difference. Here are some of the key takeaways from Lewis’s book that can help motivate people to get involved in addressing homelessness in their community.
We all have a role to play. Homelessness is a societal issue that affects everyone, and we all have a role to play in addressing it. Individuals can make a difference by volunteering, donating funds, services, or products with local organizations such as HomeAid that are working directly to provide much-needed housing and services to those at risk or experiencing homelessness or simply advocating for policies that address the root causes of homelessness.
Forgiveness and reconciliation are important. Forgiveness and reconciliation were central themes in Lewis’s activism, and they can also be important in addressing homelessness. It’s important to remember that many people who experience homelessness have experienced trauma and difficult circumstances and treating them with empathy and compassion can help build bridges and create solutions.
We can’t give up hope. Finally, Lewis believed that hope was essential to creating change. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem of homelessness, but it’s important to remember that progress is possible. By working together and staying committed to positive change, we can make a difference.
The work of HomeAid and being Good Trouble is accomplished by a truly committed and determined set of individuals leading our affiliates and their respective board of directors, volunteers, and supporters. We saw the direct impact of this in Atlanta when we visited The Drake House which is bridging hope and opportunity for women and children who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The Drake House's mission is to empower women and their children experiencing homelessness to thrive through economic independence, well-being, and long-term stability. Their approach is to provide families with the
necessary resources and tools to make permanent life-altering decisions. Their programs are designed to provide stability for the children and assist the family in working toward housing self-sufficiency through housing, education, after-school care, career counseling, and case management.
The partnership between HomeAid Atlanta and The Drake House though numerous and future developments are truly changing lives and was an inspiration for us to bring Good Trouble to communities across the nation.
In conclusion, homelessness is a complex problem that requires a multifaceted solution, but individuals can make a difference by getting involved in their communities and working toward positive change. By drawing inspiration from the principles of nonviolence, forgiveness, and hope espoused by John Lewis, each of us can be Good Trouble as we work
together to create a more just and compassionate society where everyone has access to the necessities of life.