Maxine Harris, Ph.D.

Many Americans have reason to be excited about the inauguration of Barack Obama,  the first African American president, the first president in a long time who seems to actually care about the issues and to be paying attention to the nation's concerns, but staff and consumers at Community Connections have another reason, a more personal one, to be excited. 

In February of 2008, while he was campaigning for the D.C. primary, Barack Obama came to Community Connections, well not really to Community Connections, but to the Dunkin Donuts on the first floor of our building.  Before he stopped in the donut shop to buy hot chocolate and donuts for his staff, he spent several minutes outside in the February cold talking to a group of consumers and shaking hands.  This may not sound like such a big deal; after all, he was campaigning for votes. But in the almost 25 years and untold local and national elections during which time Community Connections has been serving folks in the District of Columbia, this was the very first candidate who stopped to notice. He took the time to talk with people, say hello and ask what they cared about. People who shook the now President-elect's hand were so excited, they vowed to never wash their hands again.

For so many of our consumers, anonymity is the name of the game. These are people who have fallen through a great big hole in society's safety net, and while government provides resources for their care, few people actually take the time to acknowledge their individuality.  Barack Obama did, and so on the 20th of January, we will celebrate the inauguration of "our president," the people's president.

Disclaimer
The contents of this blog reflect the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Community Connections and its management.