Who raises a child?

     It’s late at night and my day is winding down. The funny thing is; my heart and my mind are all wound up. My never ending whirl wind of school, work and family/friend commitments couldn’t be piled any higher. However, today was the accumulation of a six month process to become a board member for Cuidando Los Niños (a.k.a. CLN). 

  

It should be explained that this board has some requirements. Attendance at events, participation in committees, volunteer time at the center, involvement in advocacy and outreach as well as a back ground check. There are other points too, but by no means can you show up and expect to be appointed membership. 

When presented the opportunity, I made the time. Moved my working days to weekends, started putting feelers out into the community, donated my time, submitted my back ground check, and during the process become even more excited to join this community. I say community because that is what this is. It is a community of people dedicated to helping children who are experiencing homelessness. CLN helps them meet their developmental milestones so that they can continue to grow, develop and become contributing members of society. Studies have shown that without this, the cycle of homelessness will continue. But CLN doesn’t stop there. They take the whole family and build a plan end the homeless cycle through partnerships within the community.

It makes my heart sing to be involved in something that is bigger than me.  I think that is what deep down my heart wants: contribution to others in a meaningful way.  So as I sit here and ponder tonight I wonder…

Who raises a child?

 Is the role limited to a mother, a father, a grandparent or aunt? What about the sister who raises her siblings or the son who steps forward in the role as provider. There is no one entity that raises a child.  When you think of raising a child as a single individual’s role you fail to see the influences that act upon that child and that family unit.  

Take for instance the school. The school has the principle that provides leadership and fosters diversity which is passed to the teachers. Teachers provide education, nurture, and fosters growth within children often inspiring and encouraging them to grow into their community.

 The school is one part of the community but there are also businesses and other community centers at which children frequent. Imagine the possibilities of influence. For instance camp counselors who inspire imagination and exploration or the business owner who donates his time as a part time league coach. It is the scientist who donates her  time tutoring, or even the  church group who through fund-raising helps to provide shelter, food and clothing to families in need.

Each single individual who enters a community has the ability to influence and sponsor growth within that community.  The ability to donate is not defined by the wallet from which checks can be written. It is defined by the quality of time and mentor ship that is put in to the development of the community that in turn fosters true financial growth and lasting development.

Our communities are not defined by white picket fences or cars polished to pristine shine on the weekends.  Our communities are what we build, through the relationships we develop and the growth we provide.   We all have communities, can you find yours?

Being honored with a position on the board is the green flag to forge ahead in a new civic role full of responsibility, challenges and opportunities. It is by no means a finish line of accomplishment but rather a spark that ignites the personal drive to do more, and be more.  I am more than just a role. I am a role model, a worker and a leader within the community. And at the end of the day, it is the community that raised the family.