Article March 4, 1972 Issue

Inner-city Children—Do We Care?

[From a Christian Scientist who is currently engaged in community, work in Boston, Massachusetts.]

VALERIE PARROTT

Have you ever considered spending time with an inner-city child? Volunteer work of this kind sounds easy and appealing, and increasing numbers are taking part in such community activity. To bring healing to this work, however, an honest assessment of one's motive is necessary. Is the motive really "do-goodism" that will give one a kind of glory and bring him credit among friends and acquaintances? Or is it unselfed love, wherein he finds joy and satisfaction, a deep compassion, and the desire to share?

The latter is a sound basis from which to communicate and work with children. They are quick to discern hypocrisy. A lack of sincere interest turns them off completely.

One of the first requisites is to get rid of stereotyped thinking and its labels of "underprivileged" and "deprived." Genuine love perceives all children's inherent dignity and stature as sons and daughters of the one Father-Mother God. The only variety they express is that which God gives them. There are no limited children, no especially privileged, poor, or handicapped. All possess and express the abundance of Spirit's inheritance.

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