Dilemma Resolved

About a month ago, I wrote about the moral dilemma that my women's Circle from church was facing. My post was about whether or not we would continue to help support a young woman living in poverty through an organization called The Box Project.

Readers of this blog provided thoughtful input through their comments, some following the link and informing themselves about the mission of The Box Project.

Last night our Circle met for our opening-of-the-year meeting. On the agenda was "what to do about the Box Project."

More than one member thanked the readers of this blog for their helpful comments.

One of our members has a daughter doing social work at a shelter for abused and homeless women and their children. There are many needs there. Another member shared information on a small grass roots agency providing assistance to children in Appalachia.

The Circle has decided to support both of those projects and suspend our involvement with The Box Project. A letter to The Box Project has been drafted, explaining our reasons, and a gentler letter has been drafted, saying goodbye to Jennifer and urging her to return to completing her GED.

Thanks, readers, for your help.

On behalf of Deborah Circle,

Comments

Pat Deck said…
That was a difficult decision. For what it's worth, I think that would have been mine as well. It sounds as though your circle found good alternatives, but that letter to Jessica must have been a tough one to write.
*karendianne. said…
Definitely resolved. I love the direction y'all are headed!!!
Nancy said…
I commend your group for the decision it made.

Hopefully, Jessica AND the Box Project gained something from your letters.
Anonymous said…
Glad to know the resolution. It sounds like a good plan. Maybe this will be what Jessica needs to move forward herself. Good luck with your new projects and pray they are successful
Judi said…
Thank you so much for letting us know how your group decided - I confess I had been very curious to know!

All credit to your group for the careful consideration they put in before making their decision.

Sadly, so many people need a helping hand and we can't do everything, much as we might like to.

I sincerely hope that your group are able to "make a difference" with their new projects. Maybe this was the element that was missing with Jessica.
Nicole said…
I think your group made the right choice. Although the letter to Jessica may have been difficult, let's hope the message came through.
carole ann said…
I think you group made a wise decision and can only hope that Jessica will get the idea to start helping herself more and get that ged. It could not have been easy, but you have chosen some really good causes to help.
Ms. Jan said…
Wise decision, I think. There is such a fine line between helping and enabling. Maybe Jessica will learn something from this and move her life forward as well.
AnnieO said…
Hard choice, but keeping your goals clear must have helped in the final decision. Here's to making a contribution to the human community we all occupy!
I've been wondering what decision your group had made. I didn't leave a comment on your original post but it made me think long and hard about what I would do in the same situation. It seems that Jessica doesn't really want to improve her situation. I am glad to hear that your group is not discouraged & will continue to help those in need.