We have reached another of those events that occur two to three times a year — all three daughters are home together for a bit. As we (and the dogs) adjust to the increased activity and volume I was struck by something they share. Each of them is working in projects that fall within the realm of community service if not outright activism. Given the fact I’ve long been a cynical old bastard, it makes me wonder what we did when they were growing up.
Oldest daughter is starting a job with the Missouri Association for Social Welfare, “A Citizen’s Voice for Social Justice Since 1901.” She will be working with the Homeless Missourians Information System, a statewide information system on homelessness and homelessness services to help agencies that provide services to the homeless and to improve public policy toward homelessness.
Middle daughter is working and will be a graduate assistant with the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative. Her main focus is the Connecting Young Nebraskans network, designed to encourage and support those under 40 in rural areas to help “shape the state’s future by sharing knowledge, insights and desires while learning about topics related to professional, personal and civic development.”
Youngest daughter is interning with Young People For, a branch of People for the American Way. Started in 2004, the initiative seeks to assist and build a network of young progressive leaders and organizations. The internship is actually through the Reproductive Rights Activist Service Corps so she will focus on “reproductive justice,” defined to include “human rights, economic justice, racial equality, queer rights, immigrants’ rights, access to health services, and youth empowerment.”
I guess even if a person learns to ignore altruism genes, that doesn’t erase them.
Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.
Anne Frank, The Diary of Anne Frank: The Revised Critical Edition
