FRES-YES!!!

At Monday night's Junior League of Fresno meeting we had a very special guest speaker, Mayor Ashley Swearengin, the Mayor of the City of Fresno.  She is warm, friendly, but best of all easy to connect with! She discussed her experience of being Mayor during these incredibly difficult times, as it just been stated that Fresno County is suffering greater than then originally had thought.  I agree! It been a year and five months since leaving my post at Spinny Chips by Metz Fresh, due to budget constraints.

During the question and answer section of her visit, many woman asked great questions about how the Mayor was helping the members of our community that have been effect most by the this economy. What the city is planning to do to combat homelessness, feed open mouths, and get these people the resources they need to get back on their feet.  I will be first to say, YES, Fres-Yes, we need to help these people!! I have often wanted to take food and supplies down to our tent city, but have been advised it is unsafe.  My thoughts then changed direction, which prompted me to stand and ask...

"Although I agree we need to help those less fortunate than ourselves, I myself have been out of work for over a year. What is the City of Fresno doing to help the middle class, who are without work and struggling to make their mortgage payments?  What is the City of Fresno doing to promote and create incentive for companies to bring their business here or expand their businesses, thus creating more jobs for our area? I guess what I am basically saying is, what are you doing to help me out?"  

Note that the question of "what Mayor Swearengin is doing to help me out" was just a joke...I just wanted to know what the City of Fresno was doing to help improve our economy and getting people like myself working. She answered the question the best she could, but the truth of the matter is that Fresno has NO money. And all incentives come from the State and Federal governments.  A little discouraged that this "lady of leisure" time may not come to an end soon, I thanked her anyway for coming and speaking. She is intelligent, kind, compassionate, and a wonderful role model for women in our community, there's not a lot she can do about the economy and not having any money.  I get that! I live that! :) 

Moving on with my week and forgetting about our meeting, I got a call from our Junior League of Fresno President, Joanna Pilibosian saying she received the e-mail below:

Joanna,

 At the Junior League meeting last night, the Mayor said that a woman asked a question and indicated that she had been out of a job for a year.  Would you be able to help me track down who that was and provide me with her contact information?  The Mayor would like to get in touch with her to see what sort of work she is looking for and see if the Mayor might be able to help.  Your assistance with this is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Office of Mayor Ashley Swearengin

Reading it today still makes me a bit misty eyed. I have spent the last year and five months helping others, reminding myself that there are people much less fortunate than I. But the tables have turned and someone wants to help me! Someone who doesn't know me wants to help me in my career!  Someone who is quite influential!  It is a truly overwhelming emotion of joy and gratitude! I am honored and would love to have the Mayor's endorsement.  Her kindness and support encourages me to continue to help anyone and everyone I can.  As it does make a difference in their life. Just as Mayor Ashley Swearengin has already made a difference in my life, by wanting to help!!! I look forward to hearing from her office.

This story is what makes Fresno great!!! People ask me why I love Fresno...Its the PEOPLE!!! People honestly care about each other...My banker remembers my name. My pharmacist remembers that I use my parent's beach house phone number on all of my "rewards" cards. And the Mayor of the town truly cares that I find a job!  FRES-YES!!