Did you know that in addition to international humanitarian
and development work MCC has projects helping neighbors and strangers across the
U.S. and Canada as well. In this post I’ll
highlight 2 of the many diverse projects that MCC works with in the U.S. and
that I’ve had the chance to learn about or support in my job this month:
1.)
The Phone that Rings to 20 Phones at Once:
There is a phone number in the U.S. that,
when dialed, rings to as many as 20 phones at once! More than 20 trained people
all across the country can hear their phone ring or vibrate, and more than 20
can reach for it, ready to help the person who is struggling on the other end
of the line.
It’s the GI Rights Hotline (1-877-447-4487), a hotline to help U.S. Soldiers who
need to know more about their rights related to various types of complicated
discharges from the military – medical or disability discharges, conscientious
objector discharges, psychological discharges, and more. The hotline provides
support, counsel, and a listening ear to thousands of current members of the
U.S. military and U.S. military veterans every year. The team of trained people
who answer that phone range from military vets to others who simply cared
enough about military staff as people to take get trained on the ins
and outs of the laws, rights, and support services that are available to and affect
the military community and veterans.
One of those more than 20 phones across the
country rings to the desk of MCC U.S. Peace Education Coordinator, Titus, at the MCC U.S.
main office, where I serve, in PA. Titus, who has spent a record 30 years working
with MCC promoting peace and justice both in the U.S. and around the world, can
often be found with that phone to his ear helping members of the U.S. military who
are struggling with life and work issues, and who have thus called the GI
Rights Hotline for help.
It may seem odd to some – especially those
of us who feel that peace is best created by activities other than war -- that
an organization that has as its purpose “Relief, Development, and Peacemaking in the name of Christ” would
support a staff member using his time to assist and support military members,
veterans, and their families in crisis. But to me, this is the perfect example of Peacemaking.
Peace comes from increasing justice and safety for all the
people in the world. No two people on earth see
the world quite the same way but each of us needs hope, support, and justice. If
you know a military member or veteran in need of help or information about their
rights feel free to share with them the number of the GI Rights Hotline as an
option. (Info Website: http://girightshotline.org/).
Other Veteran-Support Info and Resources from MCC:
A.) Article from MCC Washington Office on "Increasing Suicide Rates Among Veterans:" http://mcc.org/stories/true-cost-war
B.) "Returning Veterans. Returning Hope." Sunday School Curriculum Available to Churches:
( http://pjsn.org/vets/Pages/Returning-Veterans-Returning-Hope.aspx)
______________________________________________________________________________
2.)
Re-Building Homes & Re-Building Lives:
What else does MCC do in the U.S.? Well, in Philadelphia, for example, the East
Coast MCC office supports a number of small non-profits that help low income
neighborhoods within the city. This
fall and winter I’ve had the opportunity to help support the work of one of
those programs called Kingdom Builders.
Kingdom Builders repairs for free or at very low cost the homes of
low-income elderly Philadelphians whose houses are old and in disrepair. Simultaneously Kingdom Builders helps non-violent
offenders who are getting out of jail in Philadelphia and have limited
opportunities to stay out of jail by getting employment and transforming their
lives -- since many employers won’t hire someone with “a record” and with limited or no job skills. Kingdom builders employs several post-release
inmates each year, teaching them carpentry skills and providing on the job
supervision and mentoring, while the employed mentees help Kingdom Builders staff repair the homes of those in need. What a great idea! Kingdom builders also helps repair church
buildings in Philadelphia, and provides construction service trip opportunities
for rural church youth groups that want to come to the city to learn more about
urban issues and to help.
____________________________________________________________________________
3.) Links to some work of MCC that You Might Want to Participate In -- in the U.S. -- this Year:
As you can see, there's never a dull moment -- Globally, or in the U.S. -- for those of us working and serving with MCC. :)
Happy January!
