Letters on addressing poverty, Summer of Mercy, Dennis
Friends help address poverty
Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay identified poverty and race relations as root issues affecting relationships between police and African-Americans (“Wichita police, protesters call rally a success,” July 14 Eagle). Wichita Circles Network is a unique initiative that addresses both issues.
The program pairs one family trying to move out of poverty with two middle- or upper-class volunteers in a structured and safe environment in which they can get to know one another and build understanding and friendships across class, culture and race. We have three locations in the Wichita metropolitan area where we have weekly meetings with dinner and child care.
Meetings focus on two things: resources for education, jobs and healthy relationships, and families working with their volunteers to overcome barriers and reach their goals. Participants are asked to commit to 18 months to allow time to build relationships and work toward goals.
Though there is no quick fix to poverty, the initiative does help people increase their education, income, confidence, self-esteem and ability to plan, and improve many other aspects of their lives. Volunteers gain insight into the reality of poverty. Everyone gains new friends.
Wichita Circles Network needs volunteers who want to be part of the solution to poverty and racial tension. Please contact Allison Celik at WichitaCirclesNetwork@gmail.com to find out more or volunteer.
Janis Cox, Wichita
Chair, WCN Guiding Coalition
No mercy
In 1991, during the “Summer of Mercy, ” a friend from out of town lost her second pregnancy in her third trimester. Unfortunately, her only choice to save her life was at George Tiller’s clinic.
I still wish I had known, so I could have walked between this heartbroken couple and the protesters as she and her husband did the only thing they could do under the circumstances. I’m haunted by the memory of her having to face the shouts and taunts as she made her way past that “merciful” crowd. It was the last place on Earth she wanted to be.
Sally Kimball, Belle Plaine
Vote for Dennis
On Aug. 2, I am voting for retired Col. David Dennis for District 3 Sedgwick County commissioner. There are so many reasons to vote for Dennis, but let me give just one.
Like many west-side residents, I drive through the I-235 and Kellogg interchange every day. It is well-documented that it is one of the most dangerous traffic sites in the county. This is just one of the many projects to improve our infrastructure that Karl Peterjohn voted against. To make matters worse, by far most of the money is coming from state and federal dollars – our tax dollars coming back to us.
I can’t imagine anyone voting against this project, which is especially important to his own district.
Douglas Wohlford, Wichita
Letters deadline
Letters to the editor about the Aug. 2 primary must be received by 1 p.m. Thursday to be considered for publication.
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This story was originally published July 25, 2016 at 12:05 AM with the headline "Letters on addressing poverty, Summer of Mercy, Dennis."