Human Services vs. Costs

Human services are programs that help people and families. Often those helped have limited income and resources, but these programs are not just important for poor people.  It is important that people who need help be connected to appropriate services for humanitarian reasons, and for economic reasons. Human services and social programs may include assistance with job training or job placement, emergency food, day care, health services, counseling services, and other specialized supports for seniors, veterans and others.

Recently, the Illinois Human Services Commission analyzed the value of human services and found that in many instances addressing problems before they become severe decreases the cost to the general community in the long run.  They noted that:

• Every $1 spent on child abuse prevention saves tax payers $19 in child abuse treatment.
• Every $1 spent on home care for the elderly saves tax payers $10.50 on nursing home costs.
• Every $1 spent on childhood learning generates $7 in tax payer benefits.
• Every $1 spent on drug treatment saves taxpayers $7 in reduced crime, and emergency room visits.
• Every $1 spent on job training returns $4.60 to the tax payer.

There is a great value in providing our community members with access to resources that assist people and families, and this in turn reduces the long term costs shared by all of us, from these preventable problems.

For information about local human and social services of all kinds call The Information Center (734) 282-7171 or visit us at www.theinfocenter.info.

Why Should We Care About Other People? (Part 2)

Why should we care about other people? While pondering that question recently many thoughts came to mind and stirred my emotions and intellect. This is part two of those observations.

Why should we care about other people?

Reaching out to others is good for our souls, especially when we know we won't be getting anything in return from them. Some people are motivated by the thought of eternal salvation, others figure it’s the least they can do given the opportunities they have received in their lifetime.

The better we can make things for others, the better we make the world for ourselves as well. Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

Cooperation can actually get more done than unbridled competition. There are legitimate selfish reasons for cooperation, even if you don't care about other people.

It’s not hard. Things like avoiding littering, respecting our natural resources, and not wasting food are easy. In the big picture of things we want to help our species survive.

There is no law that says you have to care about people who don't care about you. Many of us are opposed to doing anything just because someone demanded that we should. That said, there may be reasons why you may WANT to care about people. The foremost reason people may not care about others is because they are not yet able to care about themselves.

There is a period of every one's life when it is important, and healthy, to be selfish. You need to take care of yourself. It is also important to be self-centered when you haven't been focusing on taking care of yourself. However, you find yourself in a place where you are happy and have satisfaction with your progress in life a lot sooner when you begin to care about others and help them experience some happiness themselves.

When you encounter people who cannot care about you, it is often because they cannot care for themselves. You need to be strong enough and secure enough to offer assistance to them if they are willing to accept it.

Try it for awhile and see what it can do to your life! In the scheme of things, we're all family. It doesn't do any harm to care for everyone.

Why should you care about other people?
Because we are all around you!

Why Should We Care About Other People? (Part 1)

Why should we care about other people? While pondering that question recently many thoughts came to mind and stirred my emotions and intellect.

Why should we care for other people?
That is what we should do as the human species!!!

Karma: what goes around comes around. If you were in a situation where you needed help and no one cared, you would be furious that no one was there for you.

Caring about others makes us happy and content. It is amazing what a little “peace on earth, good will towards men” spirit does to people in December.

Some people have no one else to care about them. Orphans, or the little old lady down the street whose children ignore her. The homeless schizophrenic who can’t afford his medications and now he's on the streets. Who else is going to help them?

The welfare of those countless others affects you, too. When lots of people are out of work, they don't have money to spend on products and services from the businesses which employ your immediate friends and family.

When kids don't have educational and employment opportunities; when adults can't get a job and wind up on the streets, they are far more likely to get involved in criminal activity just to survive; which affects everyone else.

Did you know it costs about the same amount of money to have someone in prison for a year as it does to send them to college for a year?

We may never know that the kid we take the time to help may turn out to be the scientist whose work finds the cure to cancer, or autism, or Alzheimer’s disease or comes up with the secret to an affordable car that gets 100 miles per gallon.

In closing, let's take a moment to think about those in need. The next time someone turns to you for help, please take time to think about how your response affects the person asking for help and how it may ultimately affect you and your community.

One Phone Number, So Much Help

Call The Information Center to learn what State or Federal government benefits or local community services you may be eligible for. Call (734) 282-7171 to speak to a friendly Information and Referral Specialist. Ask to go through the benefits checklist. You get free help going through a checklist of benefits for seniors and veterans, people with disability, unemployment or low income. Benefits and supports may be available from the Federal government, State of Michigan, and from within your local community.

Mending The Safety Net Resource Fair

If your work involves helping people professionally or as a volunteer you do not want to miss an amazing free event Friday morning January 27th at Wayne County Community College District Downriver Campus 21000 Northline Road in Taylor 8:30-11:30 a.m.

You will be able to see exhibits and talk with representatives from 50 different agencies and organizations that offer services and resources for the people you work with here in the Downriver and surrounding communities.

Exhibit tables will provide essential information about resources and referral opportunities with an impressive array of local service agencies. This event is designed to promote informed and effective referrals by helping professionals and volunteers.

Healthy Downriver Community Team who planned this event is a local community collaboration involving representatives from The Information Center, The Guidance Center, Downriver Community Conference, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, Wayne County Community College District, Exchange Clubs of Southeast Michigan and other local community agencies. Refreshments courtesy of DTE Energy.

For more information email Carol Meyers at: cmeyers@waynemetro.org.