Thinking of Ways to Deal with Hard Times

I have several friends, a niece and a son who have lost their jobs in the current economic downturn. We are making room in our home for our son & his wife. Our niece has a place to go until she can find a job and two of our friends have family or friends they can go to until they can find new jobs. Here is the question. What can I do as a member of a community to help my neighbors ride out this storm? I have gotten as far as realizing that if we can all pool our resources, there should be enough to go a round. That is a tall order. In my family, we have a finite list of resources. What can we do when those resources run out. There must be a way to organize things so that all are cared for, but I am not sure where or how to start. Suggestions anyone?
Shelley, the NCTeddyBearLady

Getting Started Blogging

I have blogged before but this is my first blog about me and not just about my work. This blog has a dual purpose. The first is to give people who know me professionally an opportunity to get to know me better personally. The second is to give me an opportunity to write about that which I love the most about being an artist, teaching others to do what I do.

Shelley, the NCTeddyBearLady, artist, teacher and mentor