Dear Caldwell:
Philanthropic and civic professionals have a phrase for community generosity – social capital. The true definition is a bit more complex, but social capital is one measure of how cities and communities come together to address needs. The effort to create an Overflow Shelter for homeless women at Caldwell is a wonderful case study. Witness what happened here over the weekend – about 80 people, most of whom have no connection to Caldwell – prepped and painted about 5,000 square feet in the Price Building to provide a clean, fresh space for our guests-to-be. You can watch or read more at these links:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/09/07/1673241/they-labor-in-service-to-others.html
Charlotte’s social capital continued to pay dividends today when Darryl Wilburn, who owns a carpet cleaning service (Wilburn’s Carpet Cleaning), showed up with truck and equipment to clean all the carpets and rugs in the shelter space at no cost. He said he felt blessed to be able to do so. (That’s him in the photograph). Thanks, Darryl. We are blessed by you.
It’s amazing to watch how our city’s social capital works. In my next newsletter column I will provide the full anatomy of this amazing process as it has played out in relation to the shelter. For all who have helped – and will – thanks be to God.
John