[Request for Support] Don't leave parents struggling alone. The true value of 'connection' as seen by a social worker
In my daily work as a social worker, interacting with various families and community members, there is one thing I feel keenly: the difficulty of raising one's voice to say, 'Help me.'
In particular, single parents who carry the burden of work, housework, and child-rearing alone are often so desperate to keep their daily lives running that they fail to notice they have exceeded their own limits, or even if they do notice, they are placed in a situation where they cannot stop.
Today, I would like to introduce once again the project I have been sharing with you recently, which will be a major step toward changing that situation, as the crowdfunding campaign has now begun.
'Don't leave parents struggling alone. Establishing a Single-Parent Family Welfare Association in Fukuoka City'
Why is a 'Welfare Association (self-help group)' necessary in Fukuoka City?
In a large city like Fukuoka, the fact that there has been no 'self-help group' to connect local single-parent families until now has been a very significant issue from the perspective of someone in the field of support.
From the perspective of a social worker, I will share three reasons why this project is so important.
1. An outreach function to eliminate 'islands' of support
There are various systems and services available from the government and private sector, such as child-rearing allowances and food assistance. However, the biggest issue is the information gap where 'those who need support the most are the least able to reach the information.'
By creating a hub (center) like a welfare association, a reliable access point is born where people can think, 'If I go here, I can manage,' or 'I can get the necessary information all in one place.'
2. The immense power of peer support (mutual support among those in similar situations)
Support from professionals is important, but the power of peer support—where parents living in the same circumstances can empathize with each other, saying, 'I understand, it's tough, isn't it?'—is immeasurable.
Isolation drains energy from the human heart, but connections in a safe community restore a parent's spirit, which directly leads to protecting a home environment where children can feel secure.
3. The power to turn 'individual worries' into 'social issues' (advocacy)
To deliver voiceless voices to society and the government, we need a 'collective voice' as an organization, rather than individual murmurs.
By having a self-help group, policy proposals (social action) based on real needs in the field become possible, creating a mechanism that improves the social structure itself rather than providing stopgap support.
'Support for children' begins with 'not leaving parents isolated'
It has been a long time since the high poverty rate of children in single-parent households became a social issue, but there are limits to supporting children in isolation.
When parents are economically and mentally cornered, children swallow their own SOS signals to avoid worrying their parents. The three pillars aimed for by NPO Iruka—'connections between parents,' 'guaranteeing children's experiences,' and 'livelihood and employment support'—are a very logical support model that comprehensively supports both parents and children.
Conclusion: The 'accompaniment' we can provide
This crowdfunding campaign is not just about raising 'funds to launch a welfare organization.'
It is an action to deliver a powerful message from society: 'We will not leave you, who are struggling alone, in isolation.'.
In this modern age where everyone faces the risk of isolation, creating a safety net for someone else ultimately leads to enriching our own society.
Even a small amount is fine. Please support us through donations, or by sharing this article.
Your warm actions will turn into 'connections of hope' for parents and children fighting isolation in Fukuoka.
Please check the project details from the link below and consider your support and cooperation.
This draft can be freely arranged to match your own wording and the usual atmosphere of your blog.
To make readers feel more reality, if you were to add one 'impressive episode' that you actually felt at the support site to the beginning or middle of the blog post, what kind of story would you like to include?
#READYFOR #Crowdfunding