Being a Lighthouse for Those in Our Community
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director
Did you happen to catch the best Superbowl commercial last weekend? If you are thinking of the brilliant Dunkin Donuts one, that’s not it. My vote goes to the one that features ALICE (those in our community who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) obscure and most likely missed, perhaps because it was only online due to the cost of commercials.
The ad’s tagline gets right to the point, “While you're enjoying the matchup, remember the food service workers, ticket takers, game day merchandisers, janitors, and countless others working hard this Sunday and every day, yet struggling to afford the basics. #UnitedForALICE #ThankALICE”.
Over the last three weeks, I have had the opportunity to experience and listen to many perspectives on just this. In as many weeks, three different events, including a coaching session for local businesses through our United at Work program, the National ALICE Summit, and then regionally the 2Gen Summit hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. With my word of the year, listen, I could do nothing but that.
Still processing, I am struck with this one thing. Every single person has others who have marked the path for them. It can be good, it can be bad, and it can be the most life producing directional event needed to set that trajectory of success. One after another, through these events, I heard revered leaders speak of lessons they learned along the way, of the grit it took to rise up as ALICE seeking a better life for their family, stopping the generational process ensuring future success and thriving.
People, just like me and you, were the one thing consistent among them all. I wish I could list all the examples here. Several stopped me in my tracks.
Steve Pemberton, author of the Lighthouse Effect stated “Those who wrote my case file never saw who came into my life. My lighthouses bent the arc of my life. None of us forget who sees us first. There are lives counting on our examples. It is my responsibility to be a beacon for others”. In his amazing testimony at the ALICE summit, he shared of those beacons, the one who kept bringing him books and how the books did not judge him.
Another speaker from the 2Gen Summit shared that it was not only about where they are going to live (which we know is incredibly important) but how they are living and finding the stars in their eyes. Listen to more than just my lights are off. “We have more to share than just that”.
A panel of mothers who shared their ‘lived expertise’ highlighted how they are working to understand how they fit into the community and how to move across it to achieve their goals. The voices of these women will stay with me for a long time inspiring me as a community stakeholder to help identify tools to alleviate barriers for families we serve.
ALICE does not identify as ALICE. She or he just knows they’re working really hard to realize their dreams. What does it take for dreams to be realized? Simply put, people investing in them, providing resources, networking, access – some refer to this as social capital.
My question for you as you read this. Who was your beacon, your lighthouse? Don’t just pass by this moment. Really think about who that was and what they gifted you with. Then go and be that for someone else.
It can be as simple as asking the restaurant server how they are doing. There is a whole community of folks hungry to be seen and heard. Please take a moment to review some current opportunities and join our list to learn of future options. We are currently seeking reading buddies as well as volunteers to be phone friends to a senior. If you would like to join us, simply visit https://linktr.ee/charlottecountyuw
For more information about United Way of Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.