|

Keeping the flame alive: an appeal for our movement and community


December 18th, 2012

Dear Friends,

In our journey to build a more just, a more democratic, and a more sustainable world, there are many challenges: cynicism, fear, despairs. But this holiday season, we are lifted up by the words Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoken 45 years ago: “the Christmas hope for peace and good will toward all men can no longer be dismissed as a kind of pious dream of some utopian.”

We keep this hope aflame at the Center for the Working Poor, and with very little resources we have come so far towards our vision of justice this year.

Through our relationships with churches, with local schools, with labor unions and community groups, we work towards this vision that all people can live with peace and good will.

Every month we deliver boxes of food to the families of fired workers to ensure that no one has to starve because they fought for their rights.

Every week, we train more and more young people to become organizers with 99Rise and build the movement get big money out of politics.

But we are always reminded of how much works remains for us, how much suffering goes unaided by the touch a helping hand.

Every week, we hear of more workers who have been fired while organizing a union, more workers that we cannot feed because we do not have the resources.

Every week, we hear of another corporation abusing our political system for profit, abuses we cannot fight because our budget at 99Rise is stretched too soon.

The Center for the Working Poor is so blessed to have the supporters we do, the students, pastors, residents, and friends who donate their time and energy to making this home a force for peace and justice. With so little, we have fed, trained, housed, healed, and supported so many. Imagine how many workers who feared for their families health have been given nourishment. Imagine how many young people have been inspired to lead a life of nonviolence and justice through our work. Imagine how many more wander astray, looking for a community.

Every gift, every donation to the Center for the Working Poor is a contribution to our community and our movement, invaluable kindling that keeps Dr. King’s flame of hope alive.

Our work exists only through your support. We hope this holiday season you can be generous to the Center. All of your support will go to sustaining our support of workers and our campaigns for democracy. Thank you.

Peace and Blessings,

Paul Engler

This entry was posted in About the Center, About the Center. Bookmark the permalink.


We will All Become Pilgrims: 2022 Newsletter Summary

December 19th, 2022

By Paul Engler Whenever I write my newsletter, I am afraid a subtle or not-so-subtle repetition will be noticed—I fear I write the same thing over and over again! Generally the theme has something to do with change, uncertainty, and … Continue reading

Liminality is a Recipe for Navigating Winter: Becoming a Pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago

December 19th, 2022

Whether you’re in a midlife, quarter life, or general life crisis, the proverbial crap hits the wall. You break up with your girlfriend, your community starts falling apart, your movement dies, your organization goes bankrupt, you lose the political campaign. … Continue reading

2022 House Journal

December 19th, 2022

I’m happy to report that our community has stabilized at the Center for the Working Poor house. We haven’t had one person leave in the past year! A welcome contrast to 2021, when we had so many people come and … Continue reading

2021 CWP Newsletter Summary

December 15th, 2021

There is a big debate among economists about a curious phenomenon unfolding right now called “The Great Resignation”. We have an immense labor shortage because people are not returning to work as the experts expected (common after a recession). There … Continue reading

2021 Center Update: Ring the Bell of Hope… Again, and Again

December 15th, 2021

This fall, in one of my first trips to visit my coworkers from the Ayni Institute in Boston, I stopped by New York City to visit one of my closest friends, Eric Stoner. And I was sitting on his couch, … Continue reading

2021 House Journal

December 15th, 2021

The Center for the Working Poor was founded in 2006, but we didn’t move into our large Victorian house until 2007. Therefore, we have been in the house for 14 years now; and throughout this time, only Paul Engler has … Continue reading

The Story of Community Counseling

December 15th, 2021

Over the last year, we have started beta groups for a new model of mutual aid counseling, called Community Counseling that has engaged dozens in weekly small group counseling practice and training. In November, I went to Boston to lead … Continue reading

2020 Center Update: Surrender and Become Attentive

December 17th, 2020

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die …” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 “Surrender to what is dying, and become attentive to what is emerging.”  — … Continue reading