Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
By
Jane
Gilgun
This
is
an
open
letter
to
David
and
Charles
Koch,
well-known
oil
industrialists
who
support
many
charities
such
as
the
United
Negro
College
Fund.
Today
I
heard
many
stories
about
families
and
children
that
I
thought
they
would
like
to
hear.
In
this
letter,
I
tell
two
of
these
stories.
My
hope
is
that
Charles
and
David
will
be
moved
to
put
their
massive
resources
to
work
on
behalf
of
families
and
children.
I
would
be
happy
to
talk
with
them
about
what
I
have
learned
from
decades
as
a
social
worker.
Dear
Charles
and
David,
Your
charitable
work
show
me
that
you
like
to
hear
stories
about
other
people
and
that
your
compassion
stirs
you
to
action.
Id
like
to
tell
you
two
of
the
many
stories
I
heard
today
about
families
and
children.
Mary,
a
young
mother
of
three
children
ages
two
to
six
works
in
a
nursing
home
as
a
nurses
aide.
She
is
so
good
at
her
work
that
the
administrator
of
the
home
gave
her
a
50-cent
an
hour
raise.
She
was
thrilled
that
the
boss
recognized
her
good
work
until
she
received
notice
from
Medicaid
that
she
is
no
longer
eligible.
Marys
six
year-old
son
Jesse
has
chronic
ear
infections.
She
wants
to
keep
on
top
of
the
infections
to
prevent
hearing
loss.
She
sought
private
insurance
and
learned
she
has
to
come
up
with
$400
to
be
eligible.
She
doesnt
have
the
money.
She
had
turned
to
a
foundation
last
year
to
get
$500
to
repair
her
15
year-old
car
so
she
could
get
to
work.
At
that
time,
Mary
could
not
pay
rent
in
her
subsidized
apartment
and
get
her
car
repaired.
The
foundation
gives
one-time
grants
only.
She
is
out
of
options.
She
prays
for
a
solution.
Chuck,
16,
had
a
stroke
when
he
was
nine
year-old.
He
recovered
well
and
except
for
some
confusion
at
times
of
stress
he
is
doing
well
in
school
and
at
home.
He
grew
into
a
tall,
strong
young
man.
His
school
day
is
split
between
classes
in
the
morning
and
on-the-job
training
as
a
computer
repair
person
in
the
afternoon
where
he
excels.
About
six
months
ago,
another
boy
called
Larry
stole
his
bike
that
he
had
repaired
and
spray
painted
himself
the
distinctive
colors
of
teal
and
black.
Chuck
saw
his
bike
parked
outside
of
Larrys
house.
As
he
approached
the
bike
for
closer
inspection,
Larry
stormed
out
of
the
house
and
yelled,
What
you
doing
with
my
bike.
Chuck
yelled,
Its
my
bike.
Larry
put
his
face
next
to
Chucks
and
said,
No,
it
aint.
Its
mine.
Then
Larry
punched
Chuck
in
the
face.
Chuck
hit
him
back.
The
fight
lasted
10
seconds
or
less.
Larry
was
on
the
ground
and
Chuck
rode
off
with
his
bike.
The
next
day
in
school,
Larry
bushwhacked
Chuck
on
the
back
of
his
head
with
his
backpack.
Chuck
turned
around
and
punched
Chuck
in
the
nose.
Larry
went
down.
That
was
the
end
of
the
fight.
A
few
days
later,
Chuck
was
standing
at
the
bus
stop
near
the
company
where
he
is
getting
training
in
computers.
Larry
and
three
boys
attacked
Chuck
with
a
crowbar.
The
other
people
at
the
bus
stop
yelled,
Thats
not
a
fair
fight.
Put
the
crowbar
down
and
fight
one
on
one.
The
three
boys
didnt
listen
and
beat
Chuck
who
wisely
went
down
easily.
The
three
boys
beat
and
kicked
him.
By
the
time,
the
police
came
the
boys
are
gone.
I
hope
you
can
think
of
ways
to
act
on
behalf
of
children,
youth,
and
families
who
are
in
these
circumstances.
They
are
bright
and
talented.
Id
love
to
have
a
conversation
with
you
about
ways
you
could
bring
hope
and
help
into
the
lives
of
these
young
people.
About
the
Author
Jane
Gilgun
is
a
professor,
School
of
Social
Work,
University
of
Minnesota,
Twin
Cities,
USA.
She
wants
to
join
with
like-minded
people
to
create
conditions
where
children,
youth,
and
families
can
reach
their
potential.