On my Bucket List is to help build a Habitat for Humanity
House. I love their hand up not hand out philosophy and how they train the future
homeowner money management and along with the community volunteers DIY skills. A friend of mine is
becoming quite the handyman because he started volunteering at Habitat through his work.
You go Jack!
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is in Columbus. They put out a call for
professional volunteers (professional seamstresses, and licensed contractors,
plumbers, and electricians) as well as asking for general volunteers.
With my professional costuming experience, I qualify as a
professional seamstress. I considered volunteering because I strongly believe
if people need help and you can help them, you help them.
It's not a Habitat house, but it would be an opportuntity to help build a house (or sew the stuff for inside the house) for a family in need.
I’m conflicted.
From the few Extreme Makeover: Home Edition shows I have seen the families they select are very needy and deserving. The show leaves town and everyone involved feels good about helping a deserving family.
But.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition builds the family a home that
is so large, so tricked out, and so EXTREME that many of the struggling
families can't afford the new extreme property taxes, and utility payments that
the new home gives them. That part bothers me. More than one Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition family lost or had to sell their custom home because they could
not afford to keep it.
I don’t know if I can be a part of that.
I’m not faulting the families at all. Their stories are
heartbreaking or inspiring and they are truly deserving.
I think it is the helping without realizing the consequences
of the show’s too generous actions that bothers me. With the intent of helping
a deserving family (and making some great television), sometimes the show hurts
the family by increasing their debt burden exponentially. Repairing or adding
on to the family’s existing home may be better for the family financially after
the show leaves but it isn’t nearly as exciting to show on TV.
I also feel Extreme Home Makeover, like every reality show,
sensationalizes the plight of the family. When I read the leaked Extreme Makeover: Home Edition casting memo looking for specific feel good weepy TV ready diseases or circumstances to exploit on their show it turned my stomach.
I feel like a picky jerk. I am withholding my skills from a
family that needs them because I don’t agree with the organization that wants
to help them.. However, while I want to help people, I do not be part of something that potentially
exploits them.
I'm sorry Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I cannot be a part of that.
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I can really identify with your dilemma and support your decision. I've heard of this show but don't watch it so I was not aware of the particulars that you mentioned concerning the drawbacks resulting to the families that received the makeovers and the exploitation of the the families' situations. You are a very talented individual and I have no doubt that you will find opportunities use your talents to help other people in a way that is in line with your ethics.
ReplyDeleteFirst Kudos on wanting to help people.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I think working for habitat is a much better goal.
Third- I agree. Home Makeover is going for ratings, and they do not seem to care how the folks are going to pay for the new taxes.
Four- Now at least you won't have to witness Ty Pennington have a nuclear screaming like a banshee meltdown 40 minutes into the show. Sometimes you just gotta ask yourself How can I use my talents for the common good and I think that Habitat is a much better fit for my not afraid of tools super sewing chick friend.
Wow, I never thought about that. I didn't realize that happened. I don't know why but it never crossed my mind that because of all the improvements they couldn't afford the house after. Habitat is a great goal and I think any place that you volunteer at would benefit greatly. :)
ReplyDelete