Soulforce/Possible Hurricane Volunteer Group

[webpoet1]

Not sure if this post belongs in Soulforce Activism, or in general issues:
but will post here because it involves activism, and Soulforce.

I have an idea, that I sent to Kara and Jeff, and would like to post here as a "trial balloon" to see how many others are interested.

Remember when we had a rewarding time building a Habitat home in Lynchburg along with Liberty students?

My idea is that a group of individuals, some of whom happened to be members/friends of Soulforce, others who might be unaffiliated with Soulforce (for example: students at schools visited by the Equality Ride, parents), of all ages (NOT just college age: remember that Soulforce has a lot of people with gray hair, and some were in their 70's or older when they
performed important acts of activism including spending time in cold jail cells!!), could, as individuals,
form a group to go to the Gulf sometime in 2008 and work to repair homes
damaged by Katrina.

Although this work would not be specifically focused on Soulforce issues or LGBT issues, if done right, it could be an opportunity for people on both sides of the fence to work together on something that both groups cared about: helping people in need. For this reason, it probably should NOT be an official Soulforce action or sponsored officially by Soulforce.

Studies have shown that individual with differing attitudes on certain issues
can change their attitudes toward people on the other side of the fence, if working together on an issue unrelated to the issue they have the issue with (I sound like Ellen DeGeneres, don't I?)

Right now, I want to find out if anyone is interested in doing this.
If so, I have no idea how to recruit people on the other side of the fence.
People would need to be able to manage their own finances and pay their own air fare to the Gulf area. I don't know when this would occur, except that I see that often many work camps are during the spring.
This could be problematic if there is an Equality Ride 2008, so perhaps the work group could instead occur in summer 2008.

It is important to me also that this not be a 'youth-only' event, but it could not take place without youth participating, as they have all that energy.

Let me know what you think: you can respond on this forum or email me privately at webpoet1@aol.com.

Laurie

[Vanessa White]

First of all welcome to Soulforce! I agree that an idea like that would be more successful in not being specifically a Soulforce action, but I also agree that it could be a great way to work with others, and work toward a very worthwhile goal. No matter what, even in the midst of our being oppressed, we seem to be very like minded here in wanting to help others that are in dire need. And, it could be a great way to meet others of us in 3D!!! I think it sounds awesome and would love to be part of it, if I can, if it comes into being. Thanks for your creativity and sensitivity to others' needs. Peace and love to you on this Easter morning, Vanessa