Altruism in Action

Gail Oliver Cambridge | April 2025

My heart weeps for the thousands of people who have been laid off from government jobs without adequate notice and most without severance pay. The trauma of it all must be devastating as they contemplate how to move on with their lives, not to mention the impact the job loss will have on their loved ones. What if they don’t have savings—how will they pay for their rent or mortgage, food, utilities, etc.? Where will they live if forced to move out of their home? How long can they keep the car or stay in school? Without health insurance, how will they pay for their medical care? So many questions.

What if you find yourself in this situation? A good vent and loud scream to purge the injustice will help clear the clog in the pit of your stomach. However, continued ranting and railing at the situation isn’t helpful and expands negative energy. This is the time to turn attention to what you can do presently…explore your options, change location, venture into another career, gather your community for ideas. There is no shame; you have to reach out, and the sooner the better.

We who are sitting pretty, for now, can help. We can offer a listening ear, open our apartments/homes, give financially, search for jobs and other resources for those who are struggling. We should be there physically, if possible, to cook, clean, and babysit for them. These meaningful actions will give them the breathing room they need to focus on solutions. Our support shouldn’t be a one-time occurrence, we must be there for the long haul.

On a larger scale, we can let our voices ring out at the injustices in whatever form we feel comfortable. We can join civic groups and advocate for policies that promote the worth of all people. To effect change on their bottom line, we should support those companies that are standing up for the right principles. I have taken a small step and stopped shopping at certain stores. This has been difficult as their prices are reasonable, and I still can’t find an item that I need elsewhere!

I don’t believe any one of us could have foreseen this current political climate. While the outcome is the outcome, it began at the local level. We must vote wisely for our community politicians and judges, delving a bit deeper than we may have done in the past. However, at this juncture, we cannot pull the sheets over our heads—we must move and rouse ourselves from inaction and use resources at our disposal.

Friends, let us hold on to our faith and shower those who are aching with our love. Although they might not see it now, God will see them through because our prayers will not fall on deaf ears. We will get through this and come out on the other side as much better humans because we helped each other…altruism will be the significance, not divisiveness.