With the avalanche of news about anti-ICE marches, Epstein file updates, military deployments, Guthrie kidnapping, and stock market records, it was easy to overlook an unprecedented arrival in DC.
This past Tuesday, 19 Buddhist monks and their rescue dog completed a four-month, 108 day walk from Fort Worth to DC to pray for peace. One account of this human effort and public response is below. Not only is the story completely out of the ordinary, as one interviewee states, it also gives us hope.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13I_7f8pH78)
Hope Closer to Home
Yesterday’s SECU-Just Asking blog was about Lending Hope, a community self-help project in Warren County, North Carolina.
Following are excerpts of the Feburary 4th Warren Herald’s story, Ceremony Marks Official Launch of Lending Hope Initiative. (link)
Key elements of the program include:
The Warren Ministries United purpose: “Our mission is to offer small, interest-free loans that assist applicants in managing rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and deposits.”
The Rev. Philip Sharp, the organization’s executive director, said that local residents who would like to apply should bring the following:
- Proof of income, such as a pay stub or bank statement
- Verification that they live in Warren County, such as a driver’s license, pay stub or bill
“We will do the application process with them and do a budget with them,” Sharp said.
After the budget is completed, those seeking funding will complete an application form that asks them a range of questions, including what help is needed, and the amount that is being requested.
Warren Ministries United will consider such factors as income level and amount. Applicants will be asked to contribute what they can, and the Lending Hope Initiative will make up the difference. The applicant will sign a payment agreement.
“When the money comes back, we will give to someone else in need,” Sharp said.
Donations have enabled the Lending Hope Initiative to have enough money to start and will continue to help fund the program moving forward. Thanks to the initiative, a family who lost their home to fire was able to pay an electric bill so that electricity could be set up at their new home, Sharp said.
Warren Ministries United hopes that the Lending Hope Initiative will prove to be sustainable well into the future.
A CEO’s Criteria for Success
Does this Lending Hope’s process remind you of a another institution’s role? Except the part about no interest?
A former CEO Doug Fecher used to state his criteria for whether the credit union was fulfilling its mission by asking: “If Wright-Patt Credit Union went away would the members stand up and recreate us? Or would they just go down the street and choose another option?”
He would then often add: We’re not there yet, but that is our goal.”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE_3-ipOiPE)
The Lending Hope initiative is one answer to Fecher’s criteria for whether credit unions are fulfilling cooperative purpose. There is one credit union branch only in Warren County, North Carolina. It is run by SECU, the second largest credit union in the country.
The Common Thread in Hope
Both examples of Hope from a walking prayer for peace, or making no-interest loans to local persons in need, share a common source. They were initiated by religious leaders.
Society often describes these activities as movements. Like the Civil Rights Movement.
I believe that hope is why credit unions were founded. Are we still providing that for our members today?