Can We Help

Growing up in the sixties was bad enough, but to grow up in the sixties as an inter-racial kid was really bad. Th e blacks, who were already being openly hated for being black, didnt accept me because I was half white and the whites didnt accept me because I was black. No one seemed to accept me except a few from either side; and this was inside my own family. I didnt meet my mothers father until I was fourteen. I was being prepared for the real world that was all too ready to jump right in line and pick up where my family left off or may have missed a lesson or two. Why did these and more, much more happen to me? Because if youre going through hell right now or been through it; been abused; thinking of hurting yourself or someone else; thinking of suicide; thinking no one loves you or ever could; thinking no one cares; this is why I went through what you have to read in this book to believe. It was for you. Blessed be GOD, even the Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, the Father of mercies, and the GOD of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of GOD. For as the suff erings of CHRIST abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by CHRIST. And whether we be affl icted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is eff ectual in the enduring of the same suff erings which we also suff er: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 KJV. Th erefore being justifi ed by faith, we have peace with GOD through our Lord JESUS CHRIST: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of GOD. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience: And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of GOD is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time CHRIST died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But GOD commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. Romans 5: 1-8 KJV. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in CHRIST JESUS. Th is is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me fi rst JESUS CHRIST might show forth all longsuff ering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1: 14-17 KJV. Can We Help Us? T I M O T H Y S H E P H A R D

Cities rely on regional and international food production to feed their inhabitants. The food system includes everything from the production of food, its processing, consumption and waste management. Improving City/Region Food systems allows for ameliorating the sustainability of our cities, also in terms of safeguarding human rights or adapting to climate change. As every city and region is an unique context, challenges faced and solutions to answer cannot be homogeneous. However, we can lean from others by sharing ides and innovations to create a virtuous learning loop where every experience may help in shaping sustainable future cities. World population and its urbanization is increasing worldwide. Combined with climate change, this urbanization threatens our food security. To face this global challenge, we have to become aware of how we produce and consume our food. We need to identify innovative solutions to help our food systems become more sustainable. This means learning from each other and making everyone aware of the stakes and the ways each citizen can act to improve things and bring a transition to a more sustainable food system to ensure a healthy future for our planet.

Real kids make a real difference in their communities in this vibrantly photographed chronicle by George Ancona. George Ancona celebrates the joy of kids giving back. In one after-school program, middle-school students mentor and tutor younger children. Via a special partnership, schoolchildren help professionals train assistance dogs for people with disabilities. At a community farm, families plant, grow, and harvest produce for soup kitchens and charities. In these and other examples of volunteering, kids of all ages work together knitting hats and scarves for those who could use warm clothes, packing hot meals to deliver to housebound people, and keeping roadways clean. Young humanitarians reading these accounts may well be inspired to find ways that they can help, too.

The author is a retired Mayo Clinic eldercare specialist.

Discover how giving of yourself can lead to some of the most joyous moments in your life—in a book that “deserves a special place on that shelf reserved for truly practical wisdom" (Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People). Not a day goes by without our being called upon to help one another--at home, at work, on the street, on the phone…. We do what we can. Yet so much comes up to complicate this natural response: "Will I have what it takes?" "How much is enough?" "How can I deal with suffering?" "And what really helps, anyway?" In this practical helper's companion, the authors explore a path through these confusions, and provide support and inspiration for us in our efforts as members of the helping professions, as volunteers, as community activists, or simply as friends and family trying to meet each other's needs. Here too are deeply moving personal accounts: A housewife brings zoo animals to lift the spirits of nursing home residents; a nun tends the wounded on the first night of the Nicaraguan revolution; a police officer talks a desperate father out of leaping from a roof with his child; a nurse allows an infant to spend its last moments of life in her arms rather than on a hospital machine. From many such stories and the authors' reflections, we can find strength, clarity, and wisdom for those times when we are called on to care for one another.

Repetitive, predictable story lines and illustrations that match the text provide maximum support to the emergent reader. Engaging stories promote reading comprehension, and easy and fun activities on the inside back covers extend learning. Great for Reading First, Fluency, Vocabulary, Text Comprehension, and ESL/ELL!