Many Paths: We should never stop trying to learn about Galesburg and our neighbors
There's lots of great things about Galesburg, which has been a progressive "village" since its inception. The city was founded by high-minded abolitionist folks from out East, who came to found and build Knox College.
Galesburg grew to be a city, as it was always envisioned to be. I was born and raised in Galesburg, graduating from Carl Sandburg College and then Western Illinois University. I've raised my children here as well.
Everyone should educate themselves on what's happening in the city and see what kind of services the city provides.
For instance, Galesburg is building a grand, new library and we "Galesburgians" can hardly wait to visit it. The library is one of many services the city provides, including social services like public aid and DCFS. There are also multiple organizations in the city that provide resources for mental and behavioral health, the elderly and people with disabilities.
More: Your turn: Here's how Galesburg can learn something from Tempe, Arizona
Despite of all the services the city has to offer, it's sad to see Galesburg has a growing population of homeless folks. some of which may be suffering from drug addiction or have mental health problems.
While the city has the Rescue Mission to help serve the homeless, far too many people are still falling through the cracks. Many of us wish a larger-ranging plan could be implemented to help these people, though the city does have a winter plan for overnight heating-centers for the homeless.
Despite growing up in Galesburg, I still find myself learning more about it. For example, I didn't realize how segregated the city was.
While schools were not segregated, some businesses were and even Lake Storey with white people on one side of the lake and Black people on the other.
It's another reminder we need to accept each other for who we are, regardless of skin color as Jesus commanded us to do. Jesus said, "If you love me, love one another."
We need to continue getting to know others to learn and accept them for who they are.
Trish Forsyth Voss is a Galesburg native who now lives in rural Knox County. Voss worked at OMC Gales Products for 12 years and as a public aid caseworker for the state of Illinois for 25 years before retiring. Voss is a mother, wife and describes herself as a poet, writer and perpetual student.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Many Paths: We should never stop trying to learn about Galesburg
