The Parable of the River
Once upon a time, there was a small village on the edge of a river. The people there were good, and life in the village was good. One day a villager noticed a baby floating down the river. The villager quickly swam out to save the baby from drowning. The next day this same villager noticed two babies in the river. He called for help, and both babies were rescued from the swift waters. And the following day four babies were seen caught in the turbulent current. And then eight, then more, and then still more! The villagers organized themselves quickly, setting up watchtowers and training teams of swimmers who could resist the swift waters and rescue babies. Rescue squads were soon working twenty-four hours a day. And each day the number of helpless babies floating down the river increased. The villagers organized themselves efficiently. The rescue squads were now snatching many children each day. Though not all the babies, now very numerous, could be saved, the villagers felt they were doing well to save as many as they could each day. Indeed, the village rabbi blessed them in their good work. And life in the village continued on that basis.
Once upon a time, there was a small village on the edge of a river. The people there were good, and life in the village was good. One day a villager noticed a baby floating down the river. The villager quickly swam out to save the baby from drowning. The next day this same villager noticed two babies in the river. He called for help, and both babies were rescued from the swift waters. And the following day four babies were seen caught in the turbulent current. And then eight, then more, and then still more! The villagers organized themselves quickly, setting up watchtowers and training teams of swimmers who could resist the swift waters and rescue babies. Rescue squads were soon working twenty-four hours a day. And each day the number of helpless babies floating down the river increased. The villagers organized themselves efficiently. The rescue squads were now snatching many children each day. Though not all the babies, now very numerous, could be saved, the villagers felt they were doing well to save as many as they could each day. Indeed, the village rabbi blessed them in their good work. And life in the village continued on that basis.
Providing Service: Supply basic services to people who need them, often to meet basic needs such as food, health care, etc. What it looks like: An organization like the boys and girls club could provide recreational activities for teens and charge membership to cover the costs.
Self Help: People affected by a problem do something to help each other. What it looks like: Teens plan and host weekly or monthly activities like dances, picnics, and sporting events. •
Education: Letting people know about issues so that people affected by the issue can understand the problem. What it looks like: A group of youth survey other teens about the lack of activities for young people. They get an article published in the newspaper to let other teens and parents know about the problem. They also include a list of resources about the few teen activities going on in their community •
Advocacy: A group or organization that cares about a problem pleads the cause on behalf of the group affected by the problem. What it looks like: The PTA or residents association could give testimony to the mayor that the city should fund after-school activities for youth. • (Direct Action) Community Organizing: Bringing people together to use their collective power to win improvements in people’s lives and challenge the pyramid of power. What it looks like: Teens organize. They come together and agree on a solution that meets their needs. With their strength -- and the support of parents and other teens -- they pressure the politicians and officials responsible to provide more teen activities.
Self Help: People affected by a problem do something to help each other. What it looks like: Teens plan and host weekly or monthly activities like dances, picnics, and sporting events. •
Education: Letting people know about issues so that people affected by the issue can understand the problem. What it looks like: A group of youth survey other teens about the lack of activities for young people. They get an article published in the newspaper to let other teens and parents know about the problem. They also include a list of resources about the few teen activities going on in their community •
Advocacy: A group or organization that cares about a problem pleads the cause on behalf of the group affected by the problem. What it looks like: The PTA or residents association could give testimony to the mayor that the city should fund after-school activities for youth. • (Direct Action) Community Organizing: Bringing people together to use their collective power to win improvements in people’s lives and challenge the pyramid of power. What it looks like: Teens organize. They come together and agree on a solution that meets their needs. With their strength -- and the support of parents and other teens -- they pressure the politicians and officials responsible to provide more teen activities.
