Hull House Thoughts

"In every neighborhood where poorer people live, because rents are supposed to be cheaper there, is an element which, although uncertain in the individual, in the aggregate can be counted upon. It is composed of people of former education and opportunity who have cherished ambitions and prospects, but who are caricatures of what they meant to be--"hollow ghosts which blame the living men." There are times in many lives when there is a cessation of energy and loss of power. Men and women of education and refinement come to live in a cheaper neighborhood because they lack the ability to make money, because of ill health, because of an unfortunate marriage, or for other reasons which do not imply criminality or stupidity. Among them are those who, in spite of untoward circumstances, keep up some sort of an intellectual life; those who are "great for books," as their neighbors say. To such the Settlement may be a genuine refuge."
 This quote from Jane Adams' writings on Hull House stood out to me amongst her discussion of problems in the neighborhood and the programs at Hull House which sought to help, including kindergarden, clubs for children, classes for adults, and care in emergencies.   I think what is most remarkable about Hull House is Adams' construction of an institution that addressed issues without dehumanizing, without belittling, and while actually making a difference in the education and health of the citizens of Chicago.  She found a balance between realistically seeing terrible conditions and tragedy, yet also recognizing such as not something to be pitied for the sake of pity.  Rather, she looked at suffering as something tragic which, if moved past, could enrich the meaning of life.  I enjoyed also her example of the musician whose mother tells her she is lucky for being so privileged, whereas the daughter wishes she had some difficulties to overcome, so that she might understand better what life and happiness mean.  Adams recognized this importance, and used Hull House to help the people with whom she worked rise beyond their circumstances to have a purposeful- not miserable life.  
    Her work ties into my previous blog post in the sense that her work is an example of the positive changes that can occur despite the long term, difficult cycle of finding solutions to poverty.  Perhaps small changes by one person do not change much, and it is unlikely for the entire world to rise up and make a change at once, but a person with a vision can implement something lasting that, with work and compassion, can change at least a community.