By Sheila G. Kelley, Development Coordinator
My online dictionary says freedom means the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. In reality, it’s so much more.
In a State of the Union address in 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the nation to the concept he called the four freedoms: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
In a post from The Liberty Project, freedom of speech and worship involve only the individual, who makes a choice to act (or not to act), while freedom from want and fear requires society to take collective action, and for us to be responsible for one another.
In fact, the freedom we enjoy as individuals is possible only in and through our communities.
For most of us, freedom means we get to choose what we say, when and where we say it and to whom with no one interfering. Sounds like paradise, doesn’t it? But there’s a catch – with freedom comes responsibility: if we’re allowed to do what we want, we’re also responsible for what we do.
A blog post from Aristotle’s Café notes that the world continues to become increasingly more global, borders are starting to blur, economies are intertwined, and individuals with completely diverse cultures are living side by side.
Unless we find mutual respect and understanding there won’t be any freedom for anyone because there will always be that back-and-forth struggle. The push and pull of cultures clashing with limited resources.
Harvey County United Way celebrates our freedoms, especially the ones concerning freedom from want and fear. Our work with dedicated and compassionate community partners in our three focus areas – health, education, and income stability – all work toward eliminating the wants and fears of Harvey County residents.
Imagine: your young child doesn’t seem to be developing at the rate other children at that age are. Fear: he won’t be prepared to enter school when he’s supposed to. HCUW: provides funding for Harvey County Infant Toddler Services to give your child the extra resources he needs to be ready to go to school with confidence.
Imagine: your elderly next-door neighbor doesn’t get around well any more. You’re not sure she’s eating properly. Fear: The neighbor becomes ill from not having fresh, healthy meals. HCUW: supports Newton Meals on Wheels to ensure she is living healthier with a nutritious meal delivered to her residence.
Imagine: working two, maybe three jobs to try to make ends meet but it just never is enough to live without being in a constant state of anxiety. Fear: no food or medicine, having utilities shut off or facing eviction for not being able to pay rent. HCUW: helps fund Peace Connections’ Getting Ahead class that focuses on financial management, budgeting, and resource building.
These are three of the 20 agencies with services in Harvey County that HCUW supports with donations from the community – both by individuals and businesses – which shows how our communities have taken a collective action to give citizens freedom from want and fear.
The United Way 