From the Publisher

Ending the cycle of dependency

I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE LIKE ME when they see a homeless person asking for help. Like you, I want to give this person some money to help alleviate some suffering even if in a small way. It is fair to wonder, though, is there a better way to help these people who are down on their luck? The answer comes in this month’s Charity Spotlight, where the focus is on Wear Gloves, an organization that provides help that is more than just a hand-out; it is a pathway to a productive life. These are local citizens helping their local brethren by doing more than just dropping some change in a bucket – they are giving them opportunities to prove their worth in a work environment and feel what it’s like to be a contributor to society while living a life of dignity. The many initiatives of Wear Gloves seek to end the cycle of dependency in which many are trapped. Those of us with a charitable heart often unintentionally perpetuate this cycle through what we feel are the good deeds of giving. By giving someone a meal in that moment or shelter for a night, we have provided some momentary comfort, but in the long run may not actually be helping to turn a person’s life around.

Wear Gloves tackles this conundrum of charitable giving by going beyond the momentary needs, attempting to add to the roles of productive citizens in our community by helping them to understand the value of work and the value of themselves.

Besides just preparing people for a life in the work force, Wear Gloves sends them off with references and even tracks their progress. Among the initiatives now in place and not mentioned in this month’s article is the new Dignity House, in which mental health and addiction coaching takes place. In most cases, people aren’t homeless simply because they are lazy, but because they struggle with mental illness or addiction and as such the answers are not so simple.

A clinical social worker is on hand at Dignity House and beyond the coaching, there will be heart and music therapy, and evening gardening classes. Another factor being addressed here is the management of money as the clients coming through Wear Gloves may be ready for the work force but have little or no experience managing finances or saving money. This is another valuable tool in making sure the cycle of dependency comes to an end.

I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO A MORE NORMAL OCTOBER, and that means taking my kids trick-or-treating in the historic district. Of course, last year the trick-or-treating was at a minimum, so we decided to take a trip to the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa. Not a bad alternative, but this year we are anxious to have a traditional Halloween in which the kids will have a blast.

October also means the Fine Arts Festival conducted by FAFO. Just as we missed out on a conventional Halloween in 2020, we missed out on the arts show as well. I have travelled to art shows all over the country and I must say I am impressed more and more each year with what the Ocala festival has to offer. This year, downtown should be teeming with artists and patrons to make this one the best yet.

Finally, October means a ‘Happy Birthday!’ shout to my wonderful father. It’s your month, dad – enjoy it!

Wear Gloves: Client Carol Boyer working at Dignity Roasters

PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER