As the economy plummetted and the race to Election Day was growing more heated, some concerning diaries appeared on the rec list.
We saw one GBCW from a Kossack who could no longer afford to cover the expense for internet access, and wasn't sure how long she'd be able to pay to live in her own house.
Shortly thereafter, we learned of another Kossack who was in a similar situation, where finances were growing to be so thin that she could forsee a similar future for herself.
Then, about a week before the election, one of our more spiritual members relayed a story to us of a woman who felt she needed to choose between her health and her financial security, and had to be convinced to go to the ER when she was showing the signs of a stroke. In response to this, another Kossack posted her story in which she DID delay medical help until it was nearly too late.
As a movement, it's going to take time and effort to get us to the point where we can see enough systemic change enacted and see these problems lessen.
In the meantime, what can we do? I have some ideas.
One of my first diaries on dKos was a plea to the community to aid a local VFW chapter that was severely underfunded as they prepared to offer homeless veterans a much needed day off the streets for medical, dental and psychological care as well as showers, hot food, and other basic human needs. The community came through in spades, raising over $1400 for the event (paying for the high cost of transportation to run a bus across three North Carolina cities to gather and deliver the homeless).
In response to the three Kossack diaries mentioned above, I similarly witnessed an outpouring of support - not just in donations, but in offers to host the victims of a turbulent economy for a hot meal, to lend an empathetic ear, or even to help them find temporary or permanent employment. More than a few Kossacks suggested that we set up some kind of a micro-lending, pay-it-forward system specifically for this issue.
I waited to write this until after the election had passed. Now that we're in the post-election lull, I'm asking you for your help, and your ideas for this project. I call this project:
KIN: Kossacks In Need
First, I'm going to tell you that I need organizers - active ones. I am a decent idea and planning person, but I need people who have the ability to keep projects on track, who can stay motivated and actively wish to participate in a project like this. Secondly, I need help generating and refining ideas. Here is what I have to start with:
- Adopt a Kossack (seasonal) - The holiday season is coming up, and many KINs will not have the ability to celebrate their chosen holidays due to lack of funds - if you can't afford the heat and you don't have family locally, it's kinda hard to put together a holiday meal or buy presents for your kids. Adopt a Kossack would be a seasonal effort, and I envision it encompassing many forms: assisting said KINs in providing a holiday for their family, inviting local KINs over to share fellowship and family celebrations. We would need to solicit the KINs and their family or personal needs in addition to donors or inviters who are willing to do the adopting.
- KINwiki - A website resource dedicated to providing KINs and dKos visitors as much information as possible about how to survive when funds are short and hopes are low. A state-by-state directory of agencies (and national agencies) that are designed to assist those in need, in addition to budgeting and debt reduction tips, bankruptcy information, foreclosure prevention, stress maintenance, etc., would be wecome.
- KINship Microlending - This is the most difficult of the three ideas, but also the idea with the best potential, in my opinion. Microlending allows for small loans at a substantially low interest rate. When this was originally suggested, one commenter noted that microlending domestically has been a failed venture due to lack of repayment. Due to this, I have to wonder if this would do better as a Microgrant, pay-it-forward system. The intent would be small grants to help a person stay on their feet as they use other resources to recover. When the KIN recovers (be it months or years later), they are expected to do this favor to someone else in need - preferably putting this back into the Microlending/Microgrant program. This would be funded by Kossacks who have a little extra to spare, whether it be $5 or $500.
The stewardship of the Adopt a Kossack and KINship programs is a key part of the stability and truthworthiness of this program. I have to imagine we have Kossacks out there who are familiar with Non-profit organizations, and I think for this to be trusted and for it to function well, we'd need to adopt a basic structure and principle of non-profit organizing. Another question that was raised before was ensuring that the KINs who apply are actually in need and not trying to take unwarranted advantage of others' generosity.
So, there we go.
That's what I have to start with. I welcome email conversations in addition to thread conversations, and I promise to repost this diary (likely Sunday) if it doesn't get much attention tonight (hi, late night crew!). Ideas are welcome, volunteers are welcome. If you'd like me to save your name and email because you'd like to adopt a Kossack, let me know that, as well. If this takes off, I'll get in touch with you.