Does Faith promote Philanthropy? December 16, 2007
Posted by erichaynes in General, Philanthropy.add a comment
Given my interest in promoting the growth of philanthropy, my concern for those who fight so vehemently for atheism, and my subtle growing interest in the differing ideologies between liberals and conservatives, I found this article from 2005 (just after Katrina) written by an atheist regarding faith and philanthropy intriguing:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,5673,1567612,00.html
Thoughts or reflections?
Cheating the Poor August 21, 2007
Posted by erichaynes in Financial Freedom, General, Philanthropy, Stories of MyLife.2 comments
Because I work with people in poverty on a daily basis, and concentrate on teaching them budgeting and financial skills, this article hit me where I live:
Profiting From Poverty
A lengthy article in BusinessWeek looked at the ways in which companies are targeting the working poor, luring “unsophisticated shoppers by the hundreds of thousands into a thicket of debt from which many never emerge.”
It highlighted the J.D. Byrider Systems national chain of used car dealerships. Offering “financing for all,” at interest rates often topping 20 percent, Byrider does not disclose the price of its cars until it assesses what it thinks prospective buyers can afford for a monthly payment. Critics call it “opportunity pricing.”
The article also singled out tax preparation service provider Jackson Hewitt, which focuses on lower-income neighborhoods and profits by “loaning money to taxpayers too impatient or too desperate to wait for the government to send them their checks.” Other companies that the article said are profiting from the poor include BlueHippo, which finances computers and other electronics at high interest rates; and CompuCredit, which aggressively markets high-interest credit cards to low-income people.
Financial Freedom July 3, 2007
Posted by erichaynes in General, Philanthropy, Stories of MyLife.add a comment
Check out my friend Richard’s comments today on Financial Freedom:
http://hardrockphilanthropy.blogspot.com/2007/07/emancipation.html
Eric
I made the papers… June 21, 2007
Posted by erichaynes in General, Philanthropy, Stories of MyLife.add a comment
Help for homeless expands
Hillcrest Transitional Housing opens a second location in Platte County.
By ANDY HYLAND
The Kansas City Star
“Look down the cashiers at Wal-Mart, and I guarantee you’ve got one to two of them that are homeless.”
Eric Haynes, director of Hillcrest Transitional Housing in Platte County
When addressing the problem of homelessness in Platte County, Eric Haynes knows the problem is bigger than the numbers show.The director of Hillcrest Transitional Housing in Platte County said the only available statistics put about 70 homeless people in Platte County. But that doesn’t include all the homeless in the portion of Kansas City in Platte County, as the Kansas City numbers are not separated by county, he said.
Mostly fueled by increased demand, Haynes and Hillcrest will be expanding the operation in Platte County. Hillcrest is a faith-based program that provides free apartments, food and other necessities to the homeless, supplemented by courses in budgeting and other life skills. People are in the program for 90 days, and then apply the skills to their everyday life.
The program is set to expand into Platte City to supplement its current buildings at 5611 N. Northwood Road in Platte County. In Platte City, the program plans to occupy two buildings with six apartments at 220 N. Second St., Haynes said. The program has purchased the buildings, but will fill them as the leases of the current tenants expire, he said.
The new buildings are a part of Hillcrest’s desire to double its capacity for residents area-wide. Hillcrest also has offices in Clay, eastern Jackson and Wyandotte counties.
Its current Platte County facility has six spaces available, and Haynes said he is confident people need the housing.
Haynes said he is passionate about the program, and is always trying to raise community awareness about what homelessness is like.
Whenever he speaks in front of local groups, he always asks people to imagine a homeless person and then describe that person to him.
Inevitably, he said, the groups describe a greasy-haired man holding a sign begging for spare change under a bridge somewhere. Or perhaps they’re a little closer to home, standing on a median at Interstate 29 and Barry Road.
Haynes is doing everything he can to get that image out of people’s minds.
“Those people are out there,” Haynes said. “But they represent less than 10 percent of the homeless population.”
A majority of homeless people — 54 percent — are younger than 18, Haynes said. Most often, they are with a single mother, living with whomever accepts them.
They often move from one relative’s house to another, and most who apply for Hillcrest’s help have jobs. There have been medical coders, cashiers and a bank teller trainer.
“Look down the cashiers at Wal-Mart, and I guarantee you’ve got one to two of them that are homeless,” he said.
One graduate of Hillcrest said the program did wonders for her. Kathleen Casazza, who now works at the Corner Café in Riverside, said the program helped her overcome numerous problems in her personal life and helped her regain custody of her children.
“It helps you help yourself,” she said of the program.
She recalled learning budgeting skills to keep track of money down to the last penny.
“For the first time in my life, I was accountable,” she said.
Haynes said he thinks the perception of homelessness prevents some from getting help.
“The people we’re seeing do need help,” he said. “That skewed perception is what keeps the majority of people from getting involved.”
What do you get when you put together kids and philanthropy? June 14, 2007
Posted by erichaynes in General, Philanthropy, Stories of MyLife.add a comment
Because my position on staff with Hillcrest Ministries requires me to develop resources to sustain that ministry (i.e. be the fundraiser), I keep finding myself in conversations regarding kids learning about and getting more involved in philanthropy. I have also been asked often for specific ways that kids can get involved in supporting the mission of Hillcrest.
As a parent of three children, I too am very interested in this topic and getting my kids exposed more to philanthropy. As the Director of a homeless ministry, I am also interested in how to connect the energy of kids with the power of our mission and see what kind of exciting outcomes could result. I also want some viable ideas the next time a parent or a child comes to me and asks what they can do to make a difference. Since there are few on-site activities appropriate for kids, especially a large group of kids, I often feel at a loss for ideas. So today I sat for a while and brainstormed some ideas (see below).
Here’s what I need from you: would you and/or your children take a look at this list and simply post your initial thoughts (both pros & cons) and any other ideas that you think would be of merit. I will then take those ideas and create an idea list that can be posted on our website and sent out via our e-newsletter to hopefully prompt other adults, children, and families to get involved in the mission of Hillcrest and make a difference in the life of a homeless family.
Don’t stress over it, but just go with your initial thoughts. I’d appreciate any input you have, both for philanthropy in general and Hillcrest specifically.
Thank you so much and have a great day!!
Here are my project ideas (these are just ideas that came to mind at random or with a bit of Google searching):
- Read-a-thon to raise awareness and funding
- Conduct a neighborhood or church food drive
- Host a “Kid’s Gala & Auction”
- Ice Cream Sundaes
- Purchase tickets to “bid” on toy packages
- Ask their school “service learning” club or Student Council to adopt Hillcrest for a project
- Penny drive to collect spare change
- Do a competition between classes/schools
- Donate birthday presents to Hillcrest children
- Throw a birthday party for a child in the Hillcrest program
- Sale a craft item that kids could make
- For example, decorate ordinary flip-flops and sell for donations
- Conduct a “TP drive” to supply Hillcrest apartments with toilet paper
- Organize a kid’s triathlon
