Hello TSS Supporters!

If I have not had the pleasure of meeting you, my name is Sylvia M. Johnson. I was born December 23, of a year not too long ago J right here in Louisville and Louisville is where I plan to live out my days. I have volunteered for the Cabbage Patch Settlement House, Ronald McDonald House, Western Kentucky University, and March of Dimes. Over the past seven years I’ve spent so much time volunteering, last month (November) I decided to make a career of it and joined The Steward’s Staff.

I’m sure most of you can relate to the experience of changing jobs and having people bombard you with the same questions over and over again.

Why are you leaving?

What type of business is that?

What will you do?

So I answered these questions. I gave people our mission statement, summarized my job description, recited statistics, and directed them to our website. I went over it so many times it almost got on my nerves and still people didn’t quite understand my move. To many, my previous job was glamorous and chic. I could adjust my schedule, I had good benefits, and the position was relatively easy for me. Why on earth would I want to jump ship??????

Just as much as they struggled to understand it, I struggled to explain it to them. How do you make people understand your calling? Sometimes you can’t understand it yourself. So I gave up trying and then the other night I laid in bed watching A Christmas Carol and the ghost of Jacob Marley cried out, “…Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business…”

I immediately sat up (If my blog were a cartoon this would be the part where the light bulb comes on). Jacob Marley hit the nail right on the head! Unfortunately, for him it wasn’t until after he’d died.

But I am very much alive.

Sometimes we wish we were called to something else….something easy where we could prop our feet up and just enjoy the ride. Other times we’re so wrapped up in ourselves we completely miss what we were created to do. But we all have business on earth, because we are all responsible for each other. If our children are struggling in school, some of us can help with that. If they are unable to transition successfully into responsible adulthood, some of us can help with that. If they are struggling with emotional problems at home, are unable to locate the funds to attend college, or they do not know how to communicate well with others, some of us can help with that also. We cannot assume those in need will be taken care of by someone else.

And that is where those who pull people together in an effort to help others are essential. If you desire to give your time helping those around you, if you have students in need of leadership skills and positive role models, or you’re looking for a program you can support with your time and/or money, I can help with that—that is me and The Steward’s Staff is my business.

It is my hope and prayer that each person finds their role in helping others and that it makes you as happy as finding my purpose has made me. If you are interested in how you can help The Steward’s Staff please contact me any time. Thank you in advance for your support.

 

Sylvia M. Johnson

Director of Operations