The Do-Jo Exchange Society is UP and RUNNING!

Here is the current Logo for the Society....many hands in a circle. That is what a community is. To me anyways. I opened a group on Facebook to help working families in the community and within two weeks we had 75 members and helped 12 families. Created large food hampers for each with enough to keep them going for at least a week if not more. Many had fallen on hard times. Life happens and if you are making just above the threshold for assistance you are out of luck getting anything from government programs. Some are in between losing their jobs and receiving benefits. Some had a large car maintenance bill and could not buy food for their kids until next payday. Some are in between receiving unemployment benefits and disability and need to feed their family. Some missed work due to illness and with rent due had no where to turn to for help feeding their kids.

The working poor in this country and many other Western nations has risen at staggering rates in the last decade alone. 

"At 15.1 per cent, Canada’s child poverty rate is higher than the 17-country average. More than one in seven Canadian children lives in poverty. Canada ranks 13th on this indicator and scores a “C” grade.

The Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden—have the lowest rates of child poverty, with less than 5 per cent of children living in poor households. The relationship between social spending and poverty rates has become more obvious over time, so it is no surprise that the leading countries boast strong traditions of wealth distribution.


The U.S. continues to have the highest poverty rate among industrialized countries. Along with Germany and Ireland, the U.S. earns a "D" grade." (The Conference Board of Canada)






Just a little of the statistical information I have been researching for months. How sad is that? In my province of British Columbia we have the highest rate of child poverty in the country yet our biggest city is one of the most desired to live in around the entire world.

After the FB page was opened the donations started pouring in! I put a bin out front of my house and every day there have been multiple drops of food and toiletries. Have enough in stock now for a few families and when we need more I just post the needs and those that can give do. Registered the name with the government and have sent the required paper work to get non-profit status. Have a Board of Directors just as excited as I. The response has been astounding and can honestly say I am humbled and uplifted by the people in this Society and the recipients so grateful. We only ask that you pay it forward when you can and many that have become recipients have offered their expertise to others in exchange. We now have tutors, mechanics, computer techs, photographers and Grandmas making homemade soup.

We have all had times when money was tight....things went sideways...and by coming together as a community we can help each other! Give a hand up knowing things will turn around. And they will! A hamper and a hug says "We believe in YOU!" We do because we have all been there...no judgement. Hang in there and know that if you need a little to get by we can help. No shame in asking...in fact...in the act of asking you are helping to create this community. We will know more what to keep in stock, what medications are not paid for and how much is needed to get them, what services are unattainable due to cost, what struggles are every day and what happens out of the blue. I know when I needed help with two small boys I had family...but many do not or have family that are unable to help due to their own circumstances.

 

The Do-Jo Exchange is not about karate. It's about fighting my grief and fighting the system that has forgotten about the working poor...that let those numbers rise daily without any thought to their well being or the children....those that fight every day to get ahead....those that have had a hard time asking for help..those that work their fingers to the bone...and who's kids hopefully have a kind soul watching them for subsidy...or just above. Those that have dreams of a better life and just need a little help to get there....to not worry about groceries for once....to see a LIGHT...and can give back when they can..because they WILL! A community of those that have been there...and those that are in it...and together we will change lives. For All of us!

 

If you want to donate or start a Do-Jo in your own community please email me at thedo-joexchange@hotmail.com. I can help you set one up in your own community. I hope you do..."It takes a village to raise a child." Let's not let any more people pass through the cracks...let's just fill in the cracks together.

 

XO

 

Here is our pamphlet:

 

THE DO-JO EXCHANGE

FIGHTING POVERTY ONE DONATION AT A TIME

We are a group of local citizens that want to give back to the community with a special group as our focus. Working families in need.

Those that are in between paycheques, on maternity, on disability leave or laid off. Those families that find themselves unable to access services due to their assets or their incomes are just a little too high to qualify but are still struggling to make ends meet.

Need a few groceries to get by until payday? Need some Tylenol for your child? Short on gas money? Need clothes, a mattress, a table? Going back to work and need some business attire to get started? Need child care for a few hours to go to a job interview?

These are all areas we can help.

If you know a family in need, that just needs a little help now and then - We can HELP!

Contact Susan at

TheDo-JoExchange@hotmail.com or on Face book at The Do-Jo Exchange (donations greatly appreciated)