Voices: No-brainer

May 06, 2008 11:14 pm

— I read the story about the Joplin Humane Society finding a new location on North Main on the lot next to the old Dent and Ding Appliance location.
While I suppose that it is a good spot for them, it isn’t the reason for my letter.
I really wanted to share an idea regarding the City of Refuge and their effort to find a new location as well. I can’t think of a better spot for them to move into than the old Dent and Ding building, right next door to the new Humane Society location.
You see, I think that it could serve both entities well at the same time. Perhaps Souls Harbor could go out there, too. Then those homeless shelters could ask or require those who stay with them to serve as volunteers at the Humane Society, and the society would be blessed with enough unpaid helpers to take good care of the unwanted animals until they find homes for them.
If giving is good and makes us feel better, then what better way of giving those who are downtrodden a way to feel productive and connected with others than to allow them a way to give back in a manner that they could do. Kind of a way of giving back to those who are helping them. Doing this could in return give them a sense of worth and accomplishment.
By relocating the homeless shelters out of the downtown area, it would also help with the redevelopment of that area, too. I truly believe that this would be a win-win situation for all parties. I simply cannot imagine why someone much smarter than me hasn’t thought of this resolution sooner. It seems like a no-brainer to me.
Kevin Rhinehart
Joplin