Make 2020 ‘Decade of the Family’

Remember when former Mayor Julián Castro declared his vision for 2010 as the “Decade of Downtown” for San Antonio? What if we call 2020 the “Decade of Family”?

Not original to me, but borrowed from a bold proclamation by Unicity, a movement to unite the have work to do in family well-being.

We see the damaging effects of illiteracy, homelessness, poverty and crime. Despite being a fast-growing city, we still have a huge economic disparity between the wealthy and the poor.

We must examine the root cause, which I would argue stems from family deterioration more than any other singular cause. Addressing fruit issues alone will not alter the root. We can prune and weed, but we need to address the root cause.

What if we focused on strengthening and preserving the family? What is possible in the next 10 years?

My unscientific guess is that poverty would decrease, literacy and graduation rates would increase, child abuse and substance dependency would decline, and crime would be reduced.

Let’s face it: As Mother Theresa said, “If you want to heal the world, start with family.”

The approach of Chosen, a nonprofit, to victims of abuse and neglect doesn’t only address the child; our holistic approach is foremost to equip the parents. It is the relationship that brings healing.

Unicity recently asked: “What would it take to make San Antonio the best community to raise a family?”

Answer: “It would take a movement — it would take each of us.”

We have to wade into the mess of people’s lives and offer our very selves to make a generational change.

It’s easy to ignore struggles that seemingly don’t touch us and settle into our comforts, but the reality is that our neighbor’s struggles do touch us. They are shaping the world we will leave our children and grandchildren.

2020 — Decade of Family. Are you in? To join, visit decadeoffamily.org.