Living on the Edge: A call to action

*Editor's note: This letter is both a response to a column by Shannon Spears published on Aug. 29, and to a recent local event.

To the Editor:

You wrote in August about showing up to leap tall buildings! I want to say that the Courier community has answered that call! All around people are working in their circles of influence to work for the greater good. We are ready to leap tall buildings! Mississippi County knows that there is work to be done, and as a collective whole we are doing it. We are pressing in, and pressing on.

Wednesday, many of the movers and shakers of Blytheville met together at Arkansas Northeastern College, in a day long event, to do a Living on the Edge Poverty Simulation. An inspirational day was had by all, where many motivators, who are already on the front lines creating change, were motivated to continue the call for change! Problems were acted out, in an interactive performance, and then addressed, as a problem solving group. A panel of experts was heard from on a Macro and Micro level, a conglomeration of facts and solutions were presented.

Many voices from the community, at every level, were heard; addressing the dynamics of poverty and how we must end the poverty mindset of the delta. There was a call from many expressing expectations, encouraging each other, and ending excuses. Understanding as the old saying goes, "we are only as strong as our weakest link." Together as one, in a common bond, the workers on the front lines agreed, we need to all get on the same page. There can no longer just be "my" program, or "my" event, but the community is going to figuratively link arms, to answer your call, and the call of the community, to say: "This is OUR community! We are united! These are our problems, and these are the solutions."

In unity, people are putting feet to ideas, and people of faith are putting feet to prayers. We are creating catalysts of change on behalf of Arkansas! The Delta's deliverance is at hand!

Thank you for your hard work, perseverance, and encouragement,

Kara Read

Blytheville