Our WORKING THESIS
Written By: The Team At Lotus
We have cultivated many new applicable elements as we carry on with the strategic integration of our work. What seems to be a consistent evident point of interaction with Lotus moms, are these three key components: listening, being a safe place, and gently guiding.
About a decade ago, while attending Christ for the Nations Bible Institute in Dallas, our founder recalls an evangelist who had come to minister.
While she was sitting in this large auditorium, in her cushioned blue chair among many other students, this pastor shared the importance of filling a need before making an impact.
We have met with various families. During a face to face intake session, there is a high sense of urgency, as they wrestle back and forth in their chair, being short with words, and marked with body language that is removed.
However upon acceptance into the program, and once the provisions have been set in motion, there is an ease. This is where our open ears in which to hear them is essential. So many have not had a voice, much less their voice validated.
And these girls are smart, they can decipher if you truly are in it.
Building that rapport, brings about a lasting friendship, even after they have transitioned into their own.
*********************
Pertaining to family dynamics, one that we have seen often is mothers having grown up in foster care. So, there is a lack of any solid family foundation in which to build upon whatsoever.
To build a support system around, that will speak life, we have had to become their family. That is what is needed, and what an honor!
We have discerned that being their safe place, where anything can be asked or discussed, is immensely constructive.
*********************
Guiding is something that has been caught, not taught. It requires something of its leaders, just as much as its students.
Being able to steer the direction of another, focusing on their future through critical thinking and walking into challenges together, has moved towards greater results, far more than lecturing.
Through this approach, which is fundamental in building a strong flourishing future, we must still take into account a holistic pathway.
Therefore, not only does that require US (those called to serve) to see the bigger picture, but it also takes one's focal point to be geared towards what is going to be vital long term.
The focus is not so much how they came to us, it is the conditions in which they leave that is imperative.
Is there a purpose for our families after they leave our program? Can we move them towards accomplishing their aspirations and dreams?
As a housing organization, we are all about equipping for self-sufficiency. There needs to be a challenge that moves her from the reality of her current situation, to a healthy sense of wellness.
We are the ones to bring about those hard realistic conversations. It is more about what is essential to get that child raised over the next twenty - one years of life, than to enable the present hardship.
*********************
In our two years of operations, we have been fortunate to partner and work alongside organizations that carry a heart for moving people upwards.
But, we have also been witness to and heard first hand accounts from our mother's who describe poor examples of service workers and organizations treating their tasks and these families as just a job.
It has to be about outcomes, otherwise, we are creating a field of work that just uses people facing hard times for the benefit of someone's employment.
And that takes a shift in perspective, instead of evaluating the number of those currently in need or enrolled, we should look at how many have been moved upwards. In other words, is our "good deeds" actually achieving anything?
The question should be asked as to how many people did you get out of your doors, as in how many have you moved out of the program and on to better lives?
What is the success rate - do we even strive to have one?
We can't and we shouldn't wipe our hands off and say we just did our job.
*********************
Can we challenge ourselves to continue to evolve and learn?
Are we investing in their futures, or are we investing in their now, for our sake?
As service workers, are we working towards something that will better our families?
As a holistic approach, can we do better?
Are we actually solving the real world issues many people face, and is anyone truly being revitalized?
Are we seeing the big picture?
We intend to continue to ask ourselves these questions and hope others in our work will do the same into the new decade.
We are a housing organization, but we are also a transportation system, a daycare network, a food bank, an after school program and so much more.
We consider it a privilege and we look forward to continue our calling as we welcome Tampa to the Lotus family in the 2020's.
We have cultivated many new applicable elements as we carry on with the strategic integration of our work. What seems to be a consistent evident point of interaction with Lotus moms, are these three key components: listening, being a safe place, and gently guiding.
About a decade ago, while attending Christ for the Nations Bible Institute in Dallas, our founder recalls an evangelist who had come to minister.
While she was sitting in this large auditorium, in her cushioned blue chair among many other students, this pastor shared the importance of filling a need before making an impact.
We have met with various families. During a face to face intake session, there is a high sense of urgency, as they wrestle back and forth in their chair, being short with words, and marked with body language that is removed.
However upon acceptance into the program, and once the provisions have been set in motion, there is an ease. This is where our open ears in which to hear them is essential. So many have not had a voice, much less their voice validated.
And these girls are smart, they can decipher if you truly are in it.
Building that rapport, brings about a lasting friendship, even after they have transitioned into their own.
*********************
Pertaining to family dynamics, one that we have seen often is mothers having grown up in foster care. So, there is a lack of any solid family foundation in which to build upon whatsoever.
To build a support system around, that will speak life, we have had to become their family. That is what is needed, and what an honor!
We have discerned that being their safe place, where anything can be asked or discussed, is immensely constructive.
*********************
Guiding is something that has been caught, not taught. It requires something of its leaders, just as much as its students.
Being able to steer the direction of another, focusing on their future through critical thinking and walking into challenges together, has moved towards greater results, far more than lecturing.
Through this approach, which is fundamental in building a strong flourishing future, we must still take into account a holistic pathway.
Therefore, not only does that require US (those called to serve) to see the bigger picture, but it also takes one's focal point to be geared towards what is going to be vital long term.
The focus is not so much how they came to us, it is the conditions in which they leave that is imperative.
Is there a purpose for our families after they leave our program? Can we move them towards accomplishing their aspirations and dreams?
As a housing organization, we are all about equipping for self-sufficiency. There needs to be a challenge that moves her from the reality of her current situation, to a healthy sense of wellness.
We are the ones to bring about those hard realistic conversations. It is more about what is essential to get that child raised over the next twenty - one years of life, than to enable the present hardship.
*********************
In our two years of operations, we have been fortunate to partner and work alongside organizations that carry a heart for moving people upwards.
But, we have also been witness to and heard first hand accounts from our mother's who describe poor examples of service workers and organizations treating their tasks and these families as just a job.
It has to be about outcomes, otherwise, we are creating a field of work that just uses people facing hard times for the benefit of someone's employment.
And that takes a shift in perspective, instead of evaluating the number of those currently in need or enrolled, we should look at how many have been moved upwards. In other words, is our "good deeds" actually achieving anything?
The question should be asked as to how many people did you get out of your doors, as in how many have you moved out of the program and on to better lives?
What is the success rate - do we even strive to have one?
We can't and we shouldn't wipe our hands off and say we just did our job.
*********************
Can we challenge ourselves to continue to evolve and learn?
Are we investing in their futures, or are we investing in their now, for our sake?
As service workers, are we working towards something that will better our families?
As a holistic approach, can we do better?
Are we actually solving the real world issues many people face, and is anyone truly being revitalized?
Are we seeing the big picture?
We intend to continue to ask ourselves these questions and hope others in our work will do the same into the new decade.
We are a housing organization, but we are also a transportation system, a daycare network, a food bank, an after school program and so much more.
We consider it a privilege and we look forward to continue our calling as we welcome Tampa to the Lotus family in the 2020's.
