Care for life and physical health, with due regard for the needs of others and the common good, is concomitant with respect for human dignity. – Salvatore J. Cordileone
I’ve had the good fortune over the years to have known a few noteworthy people that made a tremendous difference in my life; wonderful individuals who truly cared and valued my worth, contributing to my sense of self dignity. It was expressed in various forms by their actions, inspiring me to reach higher and become more than I ever thought I could be.
Tom Cruz (no, not the actor) was a fresh faced kid, just barely out of college and I had the happy chance of being one of the thirty or so students he inherited during his first year of teaching. I was in 6th grade, an awkward time for any young girl, and this wonderful man showed nothing but innovation, kindness and caring for all his students. He inspired me to be better than I was.
Elaine Beneke was a hardworking, determined woman all of her life. She didn’t put up with any nonsense, was extremely loyal, and loved with a fierceness that couldn’t be quenched. She was my Mother-in-law and though there were times that I’m sure I gave her reasons to give up on me, she never showed any sign of it. She showed me my innate value, and I was blessed immeasurably because of it.
Today’s spotlight falls on a wonderful organization that does what all the great mentors in life do so well. They come alongside those in need, give a word of encouragement, believe in the intrinsic value of a human being and thereby Create Common Good in the world around them.
What is Create Common Good About?
CCG provides job-training and employment to refugees and others in need at our farms and in our kitchen. Food related training programs all prepare at-risk, under-served populations to find, perform, and retain work with the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency in our community.
Intensive culinary and food service training courses prepare individuals to thrive in food service and hospitality. Graduates are placed into jobs in corporate cafeterias, hotel restaurants, grocery retail partners, assisted living centers, and other janitorial and food service locations.
Agricultural and farm training programs help individuals gain valuable language and job skills, and also build confidence interacting with the broader community.
CCG provides broader access to fresh, healthy foods in a variety of ways. All natural, pesticide-free produce feeds the communities through a community supported agriculture program (CSA), through retail sales, and through wholesale partners. CCG also donates a wide variety of produce to those in need in the community.
Create Common Good’s impact is tremendous.
- Since early 2009, CCG’s job-training effort has impacted the lives of 1500 refugee family members. CCG has built an alternative education system for those who have had little or no educational opportunities throughout their traumatic lifetimes.
- Create Common Good places more than 95% of our job training participants and graduates into jobs.
- CCG has fed tens of thousands of people over the past four years through our farms, value-added food products, catering, and production food services.
For more information on CCG and to learn ways you can get involved with this program go to Createcommongood.org