Suggestions for Episcopalians in Meeting the Effects of the Current Economic Crisis in WNC on People

 
1. Take a comprehensive approach to assessing the needs of the affected people in the parish.  The crisis may be similar to that of a community affected by a natural disaster, such as a flood.  The needs may go beyond housing, food,clothing and medicine to counseling for psychological trauma.  The needs of children will be different from adults, elderly from the young, minorities from the white people.
 
2. Take a comprehensive approach to the work of the parish in meeting the needs.  Make a parish-wide assessment of the abilities of the parish, the individuals and the parish as a whole.   
 
3.  Make a realistic assessment of the ability of the Parish and set up a Parish wide project, involving all the members.
 
4. Organize the work to make use of families working together and parish children to the maximum extent possible.  This is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and for children to learn about the needs of the less fortunate and to experience the blessings of giving oneself to others.
 
5.  Consider taking a leadership role in a community wide project.  Expand on the financial counseling by starting a community- wide program to provide financial help by establishing a fund for lending to those who cannot qualify for credit from banks.  I saw this on the News Hour this past week.  A non-profit credit union was established in a city that had been affected severely by the downturn.  It was funded by gifts from individuals and businesses, foundations, etc.  Banks who could not lend directly because the borrowers were not "qualified" also made gifts.  Default rate was lower than in normal banking.

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