A Good Organization

I attended an action assembly of Toledoans United for Social Action, on Monday.
In general, I avoid meetings like a plague. That's because meetings ARE a plague. Had my fill of them back in the old days, when I usually had to go to half a dozen a week. In this case, I made an exception, since my presence had been strongly suggested and because the people from my parish who usually go were off listening to Bishop Gregory. Surprisingly, I've no regrets.
TUSA is a useful organization, committed to common sense strategy and firm, yet non-confrontational tactics. That's a good combination, which is sorely lacking in similar groups.

There were three items on the agenda.
First, home forclosures, which are rampant in the area. The suggested solution is a mediation program, which will help homeowners reach an agreement with lenders, who nowadays, might be someone they've never even heard of, given the way mortgages are being sold as commodities. A similar program is showing some success in Summit County.

Second, vacant houses. To a great extent, this is a result of the first item, since 70% of them are owned by mortgage companies, and another 20% are in the foreclosure process. The suggested solution is improving the tracking of vacant homes, so none slip through the cracks and decay beyond hope.

Third, the amazingly high number of suspensions in the public schools. In the 2006-2007 school year, 49,140 days were missed due to suspensions. TUSA is offering to work with TPS to implement the Foundations program, part of the national Safe and Civil Schools initiative, which has a proven track record in reducing discipline problems. I'm not sure of this one. When school administrators ( Who are not the sharpest tools in the shed to begin with ) are fool enough to think a day off qualifies as a punishment, optimism isn't easy.

You can expect to hear more from me about TUSA, in the future. I'm hooked.