THE TWO FEET

April/May 1998

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In our commitment to seek justice, we often talk about 'solidarity with the poor' or the Church's 'preferential option for the poor.' Below are two elements of such a commitment: 1) direct service to the poor, and 2) changing the social, political and economic structures that cause poverty. One foot of Christian commitment to the poor is in direct service with and to the victims of poverty, while the other foot is in our efforts to address the root causes of poverty. We need both feet to walk and keep our balance in today's world.

DIRECT SERVICE

Helping people survive their present crisis in poverty

• Volunteer time, money, or goods to food banks, clothing centres for the poor, shelters for the homeless and those suffering from abuse, hospitals /health centres, educational and vocational centres for immigrants, refugee centres, and overseas relief agencies
• Visit the economically poor: the elderly, shut-ins, prisoners, and people with AIDS
• Support pregnant teenagers
• Provide quality education for the poor
• Transport the elderly to church, grocery, doctor, etc.
• Sponsor an immigrant family
• Provide services for single mothers
• Work to house the homeless
• Provide job training for the disadvantaged
• Tutor children and adults living in poverty
• Teach English as a Second Language to immigrants

SOCIAL CHANGE

Removing the causes of social problems by changing structures

• Get informed and think critically; this leads to action to eliminate the root causes of social problems
• Raise awareness of conditions and causes of poverty
• Support and join networks that address social problems
• Work with and promote groups committed to positive change
• Participate in co-ops or credit unions
• Monitor government agencies
• Change corporate policies that hurt the poor through boycotts, letter-writing
• Write letters to newspapers about issues of poverty
• Join political protests; call on our leaders to fulfill their duties fairly and justly
• Support people's efforts at self-determination
• Support political candidates willing to change economic priorities
• Write and speak to legislators on behalf of the poor; the marginalized; the environment

Adapted form the Campaign for Huamn Develoment, United States Catholic Conference, Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina

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