On Wednesday, I attended a “Tour of Hope” at Heartland Community Action Agency, Inc. in Willmar. What I heard was truly inspirational.
Staff at Heartland shared their stories of real people and families they provided direct service to through Head Start, Home Weatherization and “Helping People Get There” (Car Donation Program). What I saw in the staff and heard through their stories brought tears both to those telling the stories and those who were listening.
It was really about getting people’s basic needs met – like transportation and housing – so they could attend college, get training, get a good job. Their stories are about real people with real issues turning their lives around and no longer needing public assistance and welfare.
These are stories of true victory for themselves, their families and their communities.
Poverty is real in our region. Agencies like Heartland and other community action agencies provide bridges to give people who want to get out of poverty a real opportunity. One step at a time, they change their lives for themselves and their children.
Sherry Ristau is the President/CEO of the Southwest Initiative Foundation, where she oversees more than $55 million in total financial assets. Sherry is highly committed to rural Minnesota. She especially strives to celebrate, inspire and advocate for southwest Minnesota’s many great social and economic assets.
