Sarah Ford | August 6, 2012
What if D.C. made an Olympic effort to end poverty?
Many of us have been glued to the television over the past week as we watch extraordinary athletes compete in this summer’s Olympic Games. Like competitions of the past, the London Olympics are not only the result of hard work on the part of the athletes but also of remarkable community support and financial investments. I can only imagine that if the District, instead of London, had been selected 10 years ago as the site of the 2012 Games, our city would have made a similar commitment: building grand stadiums, housing and feeding thousands of athletes and putting on a show worthy of the world stage.
So here’s my question: If we were prepared as a community to mobilize the region’s resources and fund the premier athletic event in the world, why can’t we make the same commitment to house our homeless neighbors, feed hungry families and clothe young and old in our community? If our local government and the private sector were prepared to provide beds, healthy meals and showers for athletes from around the world, why do so many among us not have a bed, a healthy meal or a shower?
Consider the following costs of putting on the Olympics: Click here to read more.
(Published: August 3; The Washington Post, By Mark Bergel – Founder & Executive Director of A Wider Circle)
Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox
Explore More Articles
Emergency Assistance Fund Compliance: How to Stay IRS-Compliant While Maximizing Employee Impact
Why Emergency Assistance Funds Matter More Than Ever Financial insecurity remains a critical challenge for today’s workforce. Approximately 37% of Americans cannot afford an unexpected…
Open Position – Director of Marketing
Position: Director of Marketing Department: Business Development Reporting Structure: VP, Business Development Exemption Status: Exempt Location: Remote Overview of the Role: Reporting to, and partnering with, the VP,…
Celebrating Juneteenth and Continuing to Work in Solidarity for Racial Justice, Equality, and Equity
June 19 — also known as Juneteenth, or the nation’s second Independence Day — commemorates the end of slavery in Texas, and therefore the nation,…
Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox
Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.
