15 replies to this topic

[Tacenda]

For years my extended family have been doing humantiarian projects instead of gifts at Christmas time.  And occasionally would get help with fabric etc. and ideas through utilizing the Humantiarian Centers in our local Deseret Industries.  Plus it was convenient to be able to drop all of our projects off to them when finished.  Why are they now shut down and sitting empty?  Anyone know?

Edited by Tacenda, 26 June 2012 - 09:53 AM.

[calmoriah]

Possibly because it is being organized through the wards now.

[Traela]

Because the Church has changed how they do humanitarian work.  Instead of making items that are shipped to far off countries, wards and stakes are to look for service opportunities close to home.  First, this saves money.  Shipping is expensive.  Money can be used to greater good if SLC sends humanitarian funds to the local wards and stakes and lets them buy what is needed.  Second, this supports local economy.  Third, the recipients are more likely to get food and materials that they are familiar with, that they know how to use.  Fourth, even in the USA there are plenty of local needs.

Last week I went to the humanitarian center in Idaho Falls that was started by one of the stakes a couple of years ago.  It's amazing the number of projects they have going.  They still make hygiene and newborn kits, but for local shelters and hospitals (even around here apparently there are babies that go home in just a diaper).  Also bereavement kits for stillborns, toys, lots of quilts, and other things.  All are used locally, except for some hospital procedure dolls (used to show a child what an operation will entail) that go with a local doctor when he goes on medical relief trips to Africa.

What the Church wants wards and individuals to do now is contact various organizations and see what they need.

[Tacenda]

Traela, on 26 June 2012 - 10:06 AM, said:

Because the Church has changed how they do humanitarian work.  Instead of making items that are shipped to far off countries, wards and stakes are to look for service opportunities close to home.  First, this saves money.  Shipping is expensive.  Money can be used to greater good if SLC sends humanitarian funds to the local wards and stakes and lets them buy what is needed.  Second, this supports local economy.  Third, the recipients are more likely to get food and materials that they are familiar with, that they know how to use.  Fourth, even in the USA there are plenty of local needs.

Last week I went to the humanitarian center in Idaho Falls that was started by one of the stakes a couple of years ago.  It's amazing the number of projects they have going.  They still make hygiene and newborn kits, but for local shelters and hospitals (even around here apparently there are babies that go home in just a diaper).  Also bereavement kits for stillborns, toys, lots of quilts, and other things.  All are used locally, except for some hospital procedure dolls (used to show a child what an operation will entail) that go with a local doctor when he goes on medical relief trips to Africa.

What the Church wants wards and individuals to do now is contact various organizations and see what they need.

Wow, I want to be in your stake and ward.  Mine has not got on the band wagon yet.  Thanks for this information.  It restored my faith, as if you may not have seen, it's been on a rollercoaster ride.

[calmoriah]

Are there supposed to be humanitarian specialists in the ward or stake or is my brain playing games with me?

If there are, perhaps you could find out who is yours, Tacenda, and find out what is going on and maybe offer to help if something feels right.

Edited by calmoriah, 26 June 2012 - 01:09 PM.

[calmoriah]

This looks interesting:  http://www.theideadoorfiles.com/index.php/printables/25-printables/1011-ward-humanitarian-newsletters

I also love to hit the humanitarian pages at lds.org and see what the latest projects are.  I can't contribute much physically, but we like to donate money as a family when we can.

Edited by calmoriah, 26 June 2012 - 01:12 PM.

[ERayR]

Tacenda, on 26 June 2012 - 01:06 PM, said:

Wow, I want to be in your stake and ward.  Mine has not got on the band wagon yet.  Thanks for this information.  It restored my faith, as if you may not have seen, it's been on a rollercoaster ride.

As gently as possible because I don't want to offend:  You should not base your faith on the works but on a testimony of Jesus Christ through personal revelation.

[ERayR]

calmoriah, on 26 June 2012 - 01:09 PM, said:

Are there supposed to be humanitarian specialists in the ward or stake or is my brain playing games with me?

If there are, perhaps you could find out who is yours, Tacenda, and find out what is going on and maybe offer to help if something feels right.

The Relief Society

[calmoriah]

But if the rollercoaster starts going (and sometimes it's nothing you can control for, just hits you out of the blue...perhaps the hardship of a family member, for example), it can be helpful to hold on to something that feels concrete and stable while you are feeling dizzy.

And then you can go back to building up your own resources so that next time it happens you will be less shaken and quicker in recovery.

[calmoriah]

ERayR, on 26 June 2012 - 01:12 PM, said:

The Relief Society

Always a resource, but there are specific people who are supposed to be coordinating so that if someone like Tacenda wants to help, she knows exactly how to make connections.

[Tacenda]

ERayR, on 26 June 2012 - 01:11 PM, said:

As gently as possible because I don't want to offend:  You should not base your faith on the works but on a testimony of Jesus Christ through personal revelation.

Oh, I should make it clearer sorry, I have had faith issues with the "church" not in my "Savior".

[Tacenda]

calmoriah, on 26 June 2012 - 01:15 PM, said:

Always a resource, but there are specific people who are supposed to be coordinating so that if someone like Tacenda wants to help, she knows exactly how to make connections.

After serving for over 3 years in RS, we were recently released as a presidency.  I loved the president, she was soooo service oriented.  I will definitely look at the website that you provided!  Thanks Cal!

Edited by Tacenda, 26 June 2012 - 01:34 PM.

[calmoriah]

I can't find anything official at lds.org, but I know my stake has them.  They just don't call me because they are kind.

[daz2]

http://www.lds.org/s...manitarian/help  Current policy

[Tacenda]

daz2, on 26 June 2012 - 02:21 PM, said:

http://www.lds.org/s...manitarian/help  Current policy

I wish I knew for a surety that my donation was going directly to Humanitarian Aid since they've changed the tithing slips to read this at the bottom.

"Though reasonable efforts will be made globally to use donations as designated, all donations become the Church's property and will be used at the Church's sole discretion to further the Church's overall mission."

http://www.sltrib.co...-funds.html.csp

[calmoriah]

Considering how the Church has in the past put tithing dollars to use so that humanitarian funds would not have to be used for administrative and other logistic needs so that all the money could go to people in need, it is my opinion that is included for the rare exception mistakes are made or where certain laws may limit the Church's ability to fund the administrative side out of tithing or if a country's laws limits the movement of money out of the country and so they have to put the funds into projects for the locals that would normally get paid from SLC and then they can take the SLC money and put it in the humanitarian projects w/o having to deal with making sure each individual dollar ends up exactly where it was designated to go by the member OR if there comes a time of disaster for the economy and the church is not capable of the extensive charitable projects it is currently developing and it decides to hold back before spending to see where the money will be most needed.

If you are concerned, you should go to other charitable agencies and see what percentage goes to the actual people in need normally and then see which you feel more comfortable about considering how the Church transferring money to other areas out of the humanitarian slot is likely to be the exception (and probably a rare exception based on their history) rather than the rule.

Sorry if that first paragraph was too busy...I really need to get to sleep, but I've lost my sleeping mask and the light is keeping me awake.