This post is long overdue and I’ve been letting it sit with me because I simply do not know where to begin.
I’ll start with Michael Hood and Laurie Carpenter, the co-directors of Crossing Water. They saw a huge, gapping hole need in the city of Flint that went way beyond giving out pallets of bottled water and they rose to the occasion by forming this non-profit group.
They organised teams of social workers and other professionals to make home visits to assure that residents have filters fitted on their taps, educate residents on the proper use of filters, and address any other needs that these families may have. In this way, the volunteers are able to help residents get the services they need to ameliorate the damage done, not only from the contaminated water, but from years of economic neglect and government indifference to the plight of Flint, once a booming industrial city.
During my short time with Crossing Water, I saw these wonderful people arrange for furniture deliveries, dental care, medical assistance, and plumbers to go into the homes of some families and correct bad plumbing and fix broken taps. Heroes all.
Here’s the second part of my post: I knew Michael way back when, in the old university days when we were just kids trying to navigate our way through adolescence and early adulthood. We were so young and confused and scared back then but we somehow made it into our 50’s without too much scorched earth.
We reconnected awhile back right here on Dragonlane and while I was home over the winter months, we finally met up at a diner in Flint and we talked and talked and talked. Then we took his dogs for a walk and talked some more.
I’m so proud of my friend, Michael. That he’s now a social worker, doing the work of the people, does not surprise me. He always had a way of bringing people together and making everyone feel understood and counted.
It’s hard, hard work — underpaid (or not paid at all), and undervalued. I want to acknowledge it here, on my tiny blog, in my own way. And if you can, and you live in or around Flint, contact Crossing Water for volunteer opportunities.
Thank you.
Dragonlane Artisan Jewellery 
Very moving post Kim. There are truly some amazing people in the world who help and support those who, for what ever reason, are in dire straights or need help. You are one of those amazing people Kim and I feel privileged to call you my friend. X
The world turns on the efforts of people like this. Here’s to all the Michaels of our broken world, trying to get it right.
Sounds like a “Community Organizer” (And we know how bad they are). Doing the work government should be doing.
Oh. Ok. I suppose I could try and do my bit for the cause. If I have to. I guess. It’s so hard having these giving friends. Really.
🙂 And neighbours who keep up with the gardening.
They’re the worst.
Thank you, Kim! And thanks to Michael. Isn’t it great when longtime friends reconnect? And it’s wonderful that you both are involved in such an important issue.
It probably will sound trite, but knowing there are people like your friend out there rolling up their sleeves, helping their community pull itself up by the bootstraps, helps many of us keep going. If I may use a metaphor here, people like Michael are the stars in that field of blue on our flag. Yes!
I’ve been on this list for a year or two…
But I just went to the Dragonlane FB page and liked it, then signed up the same email again….
and I got the confirmation. So maybe now you will see it too, that I am subscribed… lmk!
xx >
Thanks, Beth!!