A recent Freakonomics podcast, Is the American Dream Really Dead?, highlighted increasing income inequality in the U.S. and decreased ability of people to do better financially than their parents. The podcast shared two things that can help overcome the growing tendency to be born poor and stay that way. As I listened I realized our church is creating both of those in our neighborhood!
In the Freakonomics podcast Raj Chetty, a Stanford economist, reported on research that showed upward mobility is correlated with good public schools and social capital. Loosely defined, social capital refers to the value people get from knowing others. For example, the more people you know the more likely it is that someone will be there to help you find a better job or pick up your sick child when you might risk your job by leaving work to do it yourself. The more people you have to support you, the more likely it is you’ll flourish economically (and I’d say in other ways too).
When I heard “good public schools” and “social capital,” I realized those are exactly what our church’s school partnership ministry, Children First, is helping to create. At Greenwood Hills Elementary and Mark Twain Elementary, we partner with parents, students, teachers, and staff to support education. From doing teacher appreciation activities to volunteering alongside parents at PTA events and tutoring sessions, our efforts contribute to good public schools for two largely low-income student populations. By partnering with and working alongside parents, students, teachers, and staff, taking our lead from them and what they need, we’re also building personal relationships that contribute to greater social capital for everyone involved.
We set out to follow Jesus’ instruction to love our neighbors, and it turns out we’re also contributing to people achieving the American Dream. Pretty cool, huh?
If you’d like more information or to receive regular updates about our school partnerships, e-mail .
To see current school needs and how you can help, click here.
To read about the history of our school partnerships click here.
I hope to see you Sunday as we continue our “God is…” series of sermons with “God is… true?”
In Christ,
Rich
Rich Rindfuss
Access Pastor
First United Methodist Church Richardson