Layers of Support that Appear in a Crisis

Fred Rogers, better known as Mr. Rogers, famously stated “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me ‘look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”  We are in a time of public health crisis, where states of emergency have been issued by local, state, and federal officials.  In this time, a lot is uncertain.  And it is in this time that people are coming out of the woodwork to help.

We are aware of the obvious helpers- the medical professionals and first responders who are on the front lines caring for those who have become ill in addition to the regular physical health and public safety needs of the communities in which they are in.  Branch out from there, and you see other helping professionals stepping in and up, pivoting their services to be able to support the people they work with.  We have all begun to focus on the lower levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: making sure all basic needs are identified and taken care of. 

Branch out from there a little further and we see companies stepping up.  Educational organizations, museums, libraries- places are finding ways to get the resources they have available accessible to all.  Virtual field trips to places like the San Diego Zoo and the Boston Children’s Museum.  Creativity is flowing alongside generosity.  Food banks are being supported by local restaurants who have food to spare and are willing to open their doors to help.  A little further out, and we see quilters who are now sewing masks for medical professionals to use as shortages of protective health equipment increase.  Our communities and lives are interwoven. This becomes more obvious in times of need.

Find the helpers.  Find the good.  In times of need, they are there.  Honestly, they are always there. And in this time, remember that you are woven into the fabric of your community, too. Find ways that you can help. No action is too small in this time of great need. What will your contribution be?