Poverty is not an issue of trying hard or being lazy; much of the time, it is simply inherited. The inheritance of a bleak future provokes an attitude and status that can’t be cured by handing small amounts of money to a family each month. It must be confronted with the nurturing of these people.

An organization does this here in Abilene.

FaithWorks helps the poverty-stricken, down-and-out and isolated individuals of Abilene; it brings hope to the hopeless. This is done not just by giving away food and clothes, but is accomplished in many more ways.

This non-profit organization, started a few years ago, provides career training, life skills and spiritual nurturing to the chronically unemployed and the individuals of our city who want to start over. It is modeled after HopeWorks, its sister program in Memphis, Tenn.

FaithWorks is funded solely by churches Abilene and individual donators from around the city and country. Organizations like this exist across the country and constantly make a dent in the growing issues of poverty and crime.

However, non-profit organizations such as this can’t continue carrying the bulk of the problem alone. These noble groups always need volunteers, resources and money.

About 1.1 million Americans dropped below the poverty line this past year, boosting the overall number to more than 34 million, according to BBCNews.com. The number of those in poverty increased by more than 12 percent from 2004.

The economy, in spite of the increasing number of poverty-stricken people, is gaining strength, which means more people are gaining wealth while others fall into poverty.

The welfare system has been a great asset to the poor of our country for many years. However, it can’t always fix the problem at hand-hopelessness.

This is where FaithWorks comes in. FaithWorks provides those who were not handed the better things in life an opportunity to overcome the odds, an opportunity to gain an understanding of the world and how to live effectively while learning about God.

This organization puts hope and trust into people who have never before been trusted with anything, and the results are priceless. It isn’t simply handing food and money to poor people; it is handing something much more valuable-skills to function in the world and, more importantly, knowledge about the creator. In turn, FaithWorks graduates are able to get a job in a chosen trade and make honest money.

FaithWorks shows its students that middle-class people are not the only ones who can succeed, and success comes through hard work and diligence.

Many non-profit organizations around Abilene are looking for volunteers. Giving $5-10 here and there is always appreciated, but it’s too easy. Throwing your money to a cause doesn’t effectively contribute to ending poverty and crime the way giving your time, energy and knowledge does.

Hopelessness is the driving force behind poverty. Sharing your knowledge, education and faith through volunteering at an organization like FaithWorks chips away at the ever-present barrier of hopelessness.