What can you get for $25.00 at Reconciliation Services? Here’s a report from Mother Nicole, our Emergency Services Coordinator, on one of the many services of RS — document assistance:

I was walking into a local grocery store the other day when a man yelled out “Sister”. I turned and was greeted by a middle aged man with an exuberant face. He was a little short of breath— having run to catch up with me… “I am sure you don’t remember me but I had to stop you and say thank you. I have a job here and it is because of you…you helped me get my ID and that was all I needed.” As a nurse and someone who has known employees of this establishment, my first thought was that this store offered benefits…including health insurance. I mentioned that and he responded “yes, that’s right—this is the best job!”

I felt elated and thoughtful. What a small thing it is, to help someone obtain the needed documentation to get that job. But it is a life changing event to those that are in need. It costs 11 dollars to obtain an ID in the state of Missouri and in order to do that you need a certified copy of your birth certificate (usually 15 dollars). I had never thought about how difficult that could be for the poor—what a barrier not having it is to living life. They need the documents for jobs, housing, to get their children in school, and to be seen by a health care provider when they are ill. In order to get a birth certificate you must “prove” that you are who you say you are. And that is mandatory for obtaining an ID. This can be quite a “Catch 22.” Having an advocate can help surmount the insurmountable… it is such a simple thing.