Why We Give

2018-01-02

by Eileen and Jim Clinton

 

   Jim and I have been steady donors to The Brady Faith Center for several years because we’ve personally experienced the difference their programs make in the lives of those in that neighborhood.

   My first experience of Brady’s “faith-in-action” was walking the streets with Kevin Frank. My eyes and heart were opened. I heard the story of a man from the P2P program tell me how his addiction began in a bowling ally, and caused him to lose his wife, family, and job. The bike program gave him something to get up for: hope.

   I saw this “faith-in-action” when I heard of a young man, Zakeem, who had a talent for music and needed funding for his guitar lessons. Six months of guitar lessons was something we could give. His lessons gave him hope, helped keep him off the street, and gave him a positive goal.

   Another time, I witnessed the smile and hope on the young woman, Dwayzsha, who was the recipient of a scholarship in honor of my mom that we fund every year. We give, because we can.

    Attending mass at Brady showed me the faith that this community has in God and each other. There is a spirit surrounding Brady that is grass roots, feet on the ground, and incredibly effective. It is transforming this part of our city.

    We donate and will continue to do so because we have witnessed the transformation of lives. Brady uses our contributions directly on people, not things. There are no bureaucratic layers to go though. Jim and I have made a commitment to continue steady contributions as long as we can.

    If everyone did a little for a long time, we could see even more “ faith-in-action” transforming lives.