Atheists Working with Religious Groups

[PsYcHo]

I'm with you on this one. As long as they are doing positive things for society, (feeding homeless, etc.) then I have no problem helping out, and have even held drives at a past career for a religious based food shelter that handed out toys to needy children on Christmas. (I raised so many donations of toys they needed two trucks!) If you give a hungry person a sandwich, they don't really care if you give them a bible or a pamphlet on the Flying Spaghetti Monster to go with it as long as they eat that day. If people are doing good for the betterment of society, or just to gain brownie points for their particular invisible man in the sky, the outcome is the same.

[brimstoneSalad]

There are some interesting environmental volunteering projects about recycling. I've looked into one of those (it's secular). Those might be really helpful.

That's a great option, and wouldn't involve dealing with meat foods. Also, you could probably inspire some other volunteers since they probably care about the environment.

As for direct human issues (the environment is a human issue, it's just less direct), I'd think things like food pantries are the best in my area. There aren't really gangs in the suburbs.

Food pantries are more "give a man a fish" mentality. The best human issue is education.

[EquALLity]

Food pantries are more "give a man a fish" mentality. The best human issue is education.

Well, some people don't make enough money to feed their families and fund their other living expenses. They don't need more education, they just don't have enough money.

I agree that education is important to help people get good jobs, but I can't really be a teacher.

Anyway, this is the email I got from the recycling organization:

Good morning,

My name is Claudia Jarzebiak and I am the coordinator for the Bear Mountain recycling program. I am glad to see you would like to help us with our new recycling program! We are looking for volunteers to talk to Bear Mountain visitors about our new recycling program. The program runs from now till September 5th and you can volunteer anytime between 10am-4pm. You get to choose what days and times you would like to volunteer (Monday-Sunday). We prefer volunteers on weekends because that is when the park is the busiest but whatever fits your schedule we greatly appreciate! I attached a flyer describing the program and what we and looking for. I also included a welcome flyer (1 training is required prior to volunteering they are typically on Fridays at 12pm. If the times listed do not work for you we can figure something else out.

Please look over the flyer and let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to meeting you!

I think this sounds pretty good.

[brimstoneSalad]

Well, some people don't make enough money to feed their families and fund their other living expenses. They don't need more education, they just don't have enough money.

If they don't make enough money, it's because they're not educated enough to earn enough money. More often the cause is not being educated on budgeting, though: when people don't know how to save and invest their money properly, they are prone to become stuck in that situation.

Giving them money will help them for that day, teaching them how to manage their money and educating them so they can increase their incomes by earning more (not just getting handouts) will help them for the rest of their lives -- and it will be passed on to children.

I agree that education is important to help people get good jobs, but I can't really be a teacher.

You don't have to be a teacher. You could take an accounting class, and just help people with budget advice, and teach them how to invest in time and money saving purchases door to door in a poor neighborhood (although that would be dangerous).

Anyway, this is the email I got from the recycling organization:
[...]I think this sounds pretty good.

Awesome! Maybe you could print out (if you can find some) or make the print (if you can't find any) some little cards or fliers about meatless monday, and some other things. Like "3 great things you can do for the environment!" so nobody accuses you of being biased. You may have a lot of opportunities to talk to people and give them information.

[EquALLity]

If they don't make enough money, it's because they're not educated enough to earn enough money. More often the cause is not being educated on budgeting, though: when people don't know how to save and invest their money properly, they are prone to become stuck in that situation.

Because they didn't have access to higher education, which I can't really do anything about unfortunately. Except phonebank for Clinton.

Giving them money will help them for that day, teaching them how to manage their money and educating them so they can increase their incomes by earning more (not just getting handouts) will help them for the rest of their lives -- and it will be passed on to children.

That's true. But I don't think it's always about money management.

You don't have to be a teacher. You could take an accounting class, and just help people with budget advice, and teach them how to invest in time and money saving purchases door to door in a poor neighborhood (although that would be dangerous).

Haha, my parents would never let me do that.
If there was a program that teaches people about budgeting, that would be something I'd be interested in, though.

Of course, I'd need to learn about budgeting first.

Awesome! Maybe you could print out (if you can find some) or make the print (if you can't find any) some little cards or fliers about meatless monday, and some other things. Like "3 great things you can do for the environment!" so nobody accuses you of being biased. You may have a lot of opportunities to talk to people and give them information.

That's a good idea, I'll ask about that.

[brimstoneSalad]

Because they didn't have access to higher education, which I can't really do anything about unfortunately. Except phonebank for Clinton.

No, that's a misconception: they don't need higher education, they need trade school. You'll make a much better income with a more stable job with a few months in a relatively cheap trade school than four years earning a bachelor's degree. It's easier, and more targeted to actual employment.

They have access to trade school; it's cheap and within everybody's reach. They just need to be informed of the options, and how to budget so they can make time and money for further education to get qualified for these jobs.

College is bad advice for 90%+ of the population.

That's true. But I don't think it's always about money management.

There are limits to what minimum wage can do on its own, that's why I said it's important to invest. They need to build up credit, and use federal loan programs to get a house so their rent is lower and they can pay into equity (AND write off the mortgage interest).

Another upfront investment is, for example, getting solar panels installed (if you live somewhere sunny enough). It costs money right away, but there are so many subsidies to offset that, and then you start saving even more money with lower electric bills. Plant hedges along the North wall of your house (to help dissipate summer heat), buy HE appliances, improve your insulation.

Put your disposable income back into your life in the form of investment -- in your house, in your education -- and you'll find absurd amounts of tax write offs which will stretch the money farther, and you'll make more and save more.