Negativity and selfishness gets great publicity in our social networking, indirect-contact society. You’d be led to believe the world’s running low on good people and that no one cares for or respects one another anymore. Their only concerns are themselves; and when they’re in need, no one is willing to lend them a hand without reward.
This is not the case. Kind, caring, selflessly-generous people still exist. Erica Munchbach is a shining example.
The visionary founder of community organization Jubilee, Erica’s nonprofit connects disadvantaged members of her native Lansing, Michigan area with effective support and transformative opportunities.
In addition to Jubilee, Erica plans, organizes, and contributes to events that bring artists, business owners, influencers, and government agencies together for fun, good causes, and uplifting unity.
While good at what she does, she’s also a good person and one who believes in helping others.
I asked Erica Munchbach to tell me about a time when she did something nice for someone that she didn’t know. Here’s what she shared.
“Well, I think the most significant nice thing I’ve done for somebody I didn’t know was put together the event ‘When September Ends’ at the Fledge [in Lansing] for the last two years. At the event we honor the struggle of a local family that has recently overcome homelessness.
We connected with the family and the city rescue mission and collected all sorts of donations from the community for them. We brought them to the event, and they had the opportunity to connect with local artists, performers, and entrepreneurs, and we did our best to give them a VIP experience.
My faith is huge part of everything that I do. And I feel like part of bringing the Kingdom to Earth, that heaven’s going to be ordered a lot different than the way we prioritize things here. It was serious when [Jesus] said the first will be last and the last will be first, and what you did for the least of these, you did for me.
I try my best to uplift the most vulnerable of our community. I think that’s important. I hope they had a good time at the event. They had free food, they had free transportation; the goal is luxury transportation, but we haven’t been able to make that happen yet. Maybe next time with a limo or something.
We collected all sorts of donations for them last year. It was a whole lot of stuff from the vendors, and we got them some furniture before the event. We got them a microwave, and then at the event they were given gifts and $400 in cash and gift cards.
What compelled me to do that outside of my faith was some personal experiences I had of being homeless. Probably before I was homeless and experienced it myself, I considered myself a fairly good person. I was helpful. I let people stay with me before. It was definitely an eye-opening experience of just how miserable it is.
You live your entire life in front of somebody. I couldn’t even go to the bathroom, I couldn’t do anything without somebody watching me or keeping tabs on me. Part of my homeless adventure, we’ll call it, was literally on the street just wondering where I was supposed be.
It’s basically illegal to be homeless. I had bags with me, and I was accused of shoplifting at Walmart once because I had bags with me. Having that experience and not having anyone to turn to except God, and his plans are always good for us, but it didn’t feel good. I feel like part of the reason he had me go through that, and also be here on Earth, is to change that experience for someone else.
These things are not easy for me to do. I still struggle with a lot of the issues that made me homeless. I live in subsidized housing. I’m broke; I do a lot of work, but it’s mostly volunteer because I’m not suitable to punch anyone’s clock. That wouldn’t be good due to my mental and emotional issues. So, I guess the point I’m trying to make is I’m not doing this from a position of affluence or having a lot of resources myself.
It’s in our organization’s vision that we want to transform their experience of being homeless in Lansing into a VIP ticket for access to the opportunities and relationships that are required to truly transform a life.” |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker – “The extra mile is only one mile more.”]
