I am having some frustration with the new email system imposed on me by ATT/Yahoo. The learning curve is too much for me to handle without wasting lots of time. Yet my problems with computer and email shrink away compared to the four families that we made home visits today. There were no computers in these households in the 53206 ZIP code, the most criminalized, the poorest and most segregated by race neighborhood in North Central Milwaukee, the most criminalized, poorest and segregated area of Milwaukee which is 1st or 2nd in major cities in the USA in these and other areas of shame. These families are struggling for a bed free of bed bugs to sleep on for their children or a refrigerator or stove to preserve and cook food, items many landlords have stopped providing rental properties.

They do not know the local St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVDP), at least staff and leaders, are determined to borrow 3.2 million dollars to build a thrift store in the suburbs to help them in the future with profits. The whites in the suburbs will enjoy another thrift store to add to their collection while the African American in North Central Milwaukee will suffer more from the racism and great social injustice this store represents. We the members of the St. Vincent de Paul will suffer from a lack of resources to aide those most in need. The Society will become deeper in debts, owner of more properties and pay more out in compensation to staff which is already five times the amount used to serve the poor. (See demographics in M.A.P.S.)

How do I explain to this lady with three children and no furniture or refrigerator and stove that we cannot fully serve her basic needs from lack of funds in our SVDP conference while SVDP is determined to invest 3.2 million in the suburbs? The poor will become poorer in North Central Milwaukee which badly needs a SVDP thrift store and the rich in the suburbs and can save even more money and become richer with another thrift store. The bankers who offer the loan will become richer as well as the real estate speculator supervising the new store in the suburbs. The four families and many more will have less resources, money, jobs, basic household provided to them. And I am worry about the new email system?

I cry out to God saying how can this be? What can I do to stop these good people who sincerely believe that borrowing 3.2 million to operate a new thrift store with high operating cost in a wealthy area will only burden the poor not serve them. God responds with the same old answer, “My friend, I have given all my blessings and grace to the poor. Go to the poor to share in them.”

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