Support for furloughed workers still needed
Even though the government shutdown ended over a week ago, furloughed workers and others are still hurting, playing catch-up, and in need of support. Two recent events show how Houstonians are stepping up to help those in need. YES Prep recently hosted a Community Recovery Fair at the Alief Neighborhood Center to support families affected by the government shutdown and SNAP benefit delays. YES Prep staff member Cynthia Rubio said the event they sponsored provided 275-300 bags of food and various supplies. Rubio said, according to parents and caregivers, the biggest needs have been hygiene products and shelf-stable items. Richard Andrews, founder of the Foundation of Black Heritage and Culture and the One Mobile Food Pantry, said many workers are still digging out from weeks of missed paychecks.
“Postal employees, we even got a call from somebody with the IRS. Everybody is affected by the shutdown,” said Andrews. Luckily, Andrews has a regular army of volunteers from his organization, the community at large, and the Shrine Cultural and Events Center. They recently added an additional food and resource giveaway to their already established weekly food giveaway that takes place every Saturday. It’s encouraging to see Houstonians showing up and showing out for their neighbors in need.
Is UH silencing student voices?
Student Government Associations (SGA) at public universities across the state and country are not just for students who want to “play politics.” These bodies, and the young people who hold elected positions in them, provide a multitude of serious and impactful functions. Case in point, at the University of Houston, the SGA is responsible for appointing students to a university committee that oversees the allocation of over $25 million in student fees for various activities, including athletics, counseling, and psychological services, among others. Last year, UH’s SGA was dissolved by the administration for failing to produce a restructured SGA constitution as demanded by the administration. Without an SGA, by state law, those students who are to be appointed to that important committee must be chosen through a campuswide student vote. UH didn’t do that. Students and alumni are charging foul via a deliberate move to silence all-important student voices and remove students from having agency over funding that directly impacts them. UH students who have protested the administration’s move, and sympathetic faculty, say this is an issue much bigger than just one campus. It’s about democratic ideals and how easily they can be taken away if not fought for. Stay tuned for more on this story as it develops.
Thanksgiving to Gratitude
Certainly, we know that Thanksgiving, the act of giving thanks, extends far beyond just a holiday. But even that can be extended. See, being thankful is a feeling. But gratitude is a practice. The feeling of being thankful can come and go. But gratitude, by definition, means doing things daily to identify, name, share, and proclaim those things for which you are grateful. The effects of practicing gratitude are profound. Gratitude improves mental well-being, reduces stress and depression, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep, strengthens social connections, boosts feelings of positivity, fosters emotional resilience, and more. And FYI, gratitude provides the fuel needed to power through challenging times. So, start writing down daily things for which you are grateful and access those life-changing benefits.
