I had the good fortune to speak with Kristi Gough last week, who is the family advocate supervisor of Family Basics, one of the five projects of WORD.
The programs that WORD runs are Family Basics, Futures, Gearing Up, Center for Policy Analysis and Community Change (CPACC) and a sister organization, homeWORD.
WORD has accomplished a great deal in its 16 years of operation, and has affected the lives of many. It might be said that if its many successes were recognized, they would fall within the words of The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians.
According to 4:8, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
If I were to write about all of the programs that WORD runs, it would be a substantially longer column. Instead I focused on the Family Basics program, which supports the Joseph Residence, one among many projects.
In light of the growing trend of homeless families predominately headed up by women, the programs run by WORD are well tailored to the current trends.
As stated by Abigail Adams in a letter to John Adams on Aug. 14, 1776, "If we mean to have heroes, statesmen, and philosophers, we should have learned women Š If much depends as is allowed upon the early education of youth and the first principles which are instilled take the deepest root, great benefit must arise from the literary accomplishments in women."
Some of the services provided under the Family Basics program include family literacy (assisting not only the children in school, but also parents with educational goals), Summer Arts, Leadership and Tutoring Camp, parenting classes, skill building opportunities, resource and referral information to families, and basic needs assistance.
WORD has many accomplishments to point to. Since 1986, more than 12,000 families have been assisted by WORD programs. WORD has built 54 housing units in the past seven years, and has established 11 Family Resource Centers in Missoula schools since 1993.
Due to their theme of "15 years of feminism in action" some may feel that their scope is limited. In actuality, it is just the opposite. WORD fights for the rights of all who are seeking justice. To quote the WORD brochure, "When WORD cultivates empowerment, it cultivates not just personal empowerment, but political and collective empowerment." Through empowerment, all can be equal, which is a dream we should all aspire to.
Reach Joseph Bischof by calling 728-1809.
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