Skip to main content

Extra Read: What He Gave Me Was More Than a Quarter


Reflection: Prevention begins with how we see people, not by what they need, but by what they give. 

I recently visited Aldi, where you need to insert a quarter to use a shopping cart. It was my first time, so I paused to read the sign: (paraphrasing) “Insert a quarter. Return the cart. Get your quarter back.” Straightforward enough.

As I turned to go back to my car for a quarter, I passed a man sitting quietly near the carts. He held a sign, clearly asking for help. I noticed him, but I didn’t see him. I was focused on the types of snacks I would buy for the STYC advocates. 😋🍪🍕🍏

Then I heard, “Ma’am, here’s a quarter.”  The man extended his hand.  🔘

I was stunned and for a moment, I didn't know how to receive it.  A person most folks would label “in need” was the one meeting my need, without hesitation. He didn’t know me. He owed me nothing. But he offered what he had without conditions. I accepted with "thank you so much."

That quarter felt heavier than most. Not in weight, but in meaning. Which is why I’m compelled to share this moment.

Prevention begins in moments like this.

It starts with how we see one another—not as problems to fix, but as people with potential. We often focus prevention work on deficits—what’s missing, what’s broken, who’s at risk. But real prevention recognizes that even those struggling have value, dignity, and the power to give.

Imagine what it means for a young person labeled “at risk” to be told:
“You are still a giver. You still matter. Your voice counts.”

That’s prevention at its root: restoring value and reinforcing connection before harm takes hold.

So yes, that man gave me a quarter. But he also gave me a lesson on humility, generosity, and the deep well of resilience that lives in our community. Prevention isn't always about big programs or policies. Sometimes, it’s about how we treat one another, especially when no one’s watching.

Breaking Down the Quote Behind the Reflection

👀 “Prevention begins with how we see people.”
Before any outreach begins, it starts with a mindset. Do we see people as broken or as capable?

 👪 “Not by what they need…”
Need can be visible. But when we focus only on that, we may miss the person’s humanity.

👥👥“…but by what they give.”
Everyone has something to offer. That act of giving builds dignity, connection, and resilience—powerful tools of prevention.

 A Hollingsworth

#PreventionStartsWithDignity #STYCtalks #ExtraRead #CommunityStrength #YouthPrevention















Contributor’s Note: Bonnie Taylor, MSW, LCSW, is a dedicated Mental Health Therapist based in Louisville, KY, specializing in trauma care for youth and adults. With a deep commitment to community well-being, she has been collaborating with STYC for the past two years, offering her expertise and support wherever needed.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Youth Gambling, Hiding in Plain Sight

“A new study from Common Sense Media finds that 36% of boys ages 11 to 17 reported gambling in the past year—ranging from sports betting and card games to online gaming-related gambling through loot boxes and gacha pulls.”      If you don’t have time ⏳ to read the full blog, no worries. Click the link and watch the short 5-minute video on youth gambling instead. It’s quick, real, and straight to the point.   reported by NBC’s Kate Snow on TODAY . When I first read that headline, I had to stop and ask myself—is this shocking? I’m no psychologist or PhD student, but I am a professional who has spent the past eight weeks working directly with a group of 15 middle school students. Many of these youth have either gambled themselves or have been exposed to gambling through family members. What I observed during this time was both eye-opening and deeply concerning—and closely mirrored the findings shared in that national study. For many of us, gambling brings to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

It's Eleven O'clock

    Do You Know Where Your Children Are? Some of us recall the late-night message that once flashed across the television: “It’s 11:00—do you know where your children are?” Although there may not have been a flashy commercial to accompany it, the simple reminder carried weight. It didn’t prevent every bad choice or tragedy, but it made parents pause. If your child wasn’t at home, it forced a question: Where are they, and what are they doing? That same question is just as urgent today. Violence, substance use, and risky behaviors are touching our community in ways that are heartbreaking and often preventable. Recently, a young person—someone’s child or grandchild—was accused of committing a violent crime at a bus stop. Behind the headlines is a truth: this is not just “a suspect,” but someone’s family. We cannot afford to look away or to excuse warning signs that might have been noticed earlier. Why STYC Is Offering the Hidden in Plain Sight Experience? Parents ...
5 comments
Read more

PIVOT - A change in position, or strategy

"Pivoting Toward Prevention: A Call for Community Support" In basketball, a pivot allows a player to keep one foot grounded while turning to find a better position — to see the court more clearly, make a stronger pass, or take a smarter shot. At STYC, we’re making a similar move. For nearly a decade, we’ve stood firmly in substance use prevention, rooted in youth leadership, community partnerships, and culturally relevant strategies. But the game is changing. The same young people we serve are now facing additional risks — from rising violence and untreated mental health challenges to the growing dangers of youth gambling. So, we’re pivoting. Not away from our foundation, but toward a more comprehensive approach to prevention — one that addresses all the factors threatening youth well-being. We’re expanding our lens while keeping our mission clear: to build safer, healthier futures for our youth. But we can’t do this alone. We need our community — including neighbors, e...
Post a Comment
Read more