Defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, empathy unlike sympathy which is feeling for someone by acknowledging their pain has become almost extinct. The average American is so entrenched in their own daily struggles that even listening to someone else’s problems is difficult. The closer those problems are to significant others the more empathy is exposed. That leads to “who matters most to you?” Writing from my prospect as a leader of a non-profit the people who matter most are the clients we try to serve or will serve. But maybe we need to look at our personal lives first and agree on what is important to us and for those closest to us. For those that follow my posts you know that I always go back to basic physiological needs. (Air, food, water, sleep, and shelter). These needs form the foundation of what must be met before any individual can focus on a higher level of survival. (I encourage the true understanding of these needs by reading “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”)

I am fortunate in some ways as my closest and dearest concerns are my children, but they have long since moved on with their lives and are doing well. The grandchildren the same way. The loss of my youngest child is a story for another time. I empathize with the stresses my closest family face and their physical and mental health more so than their physiological needs. Fortunately, they have moved up to the second or third rung of Maslow’s Hierarchy.

Moving past those closest to me comes the mission of the charity I founded. I quote from the AI definition of our mission which says “The Mission of HPLA Charities (Habitaciones Para Latinos Association) of Kansas is to provide basic, but essential, home repairs and assistance to low-income homeowners and the elderly. Helping them maintain a habitable home and stay in their homes for as long as possible”. AI adds that the organization also aims to help families experiencing hardship and provides opportunities to support the Latino Community and beyond. It expands further into defining Home Repair, Support for the elderly, Assistance during hardship, Community Focus and Self- Sufficiency. With these folks we empathize. Most of Americans sympathizes with these folks but my cry is that not enough of you empathize with these folks. These are your neighbors so where does that leave them. The government has debated long and hard on how much the general public should pay in taxes to provide services for these folks, even if it comes from uncaring people and goes to undeserving grifters. The response is “as little as possible” from the taxpayer. Lately it has been that no one wants to pay any taxes to help these folks or that is what our politicians are telling us. I don’t believe that but if those needs filters down to the street, it will be the non-profits, whose mission is to cover these basic needs. Contributions to 501c3’s are tax-deducatble, and in the case of HPLA the donations go directly to the client and not to overhead. We have no paid staff, and all work is done by volunteers where possible. This channel is a legitimante way to beat the system and shore up your sympathy and empathy for your neighbors.

As desperate as I am to find donors to partner with me to help a greater number it is also important to get the word out that charities like HPLA exist and getting the word out to folks of our existence is also crucial. We need to max out our resources and I believe HPLA provides more bang for your dollars since there are not detours from your contribution to those you want to help. We are operating strongly in the Kansas City Metro as well as in Sedgwick County, Ks. this is the Wichita metro. Please share my posts if you would as almost everyone that I meet face to face has someone they know that needs our help. You guessed it, we never hear from them or their friends in need. EMPATHY is our greatest enemy because not enough folks have it and do something to help. Not even passing along my business cards seems to help. BTW, show some respect and always reply to emails from acquaintances, share needs of folks in your line of sight, support your local organizations and let’s stop this political division. The only folks winning here is the 1%’rs. I’d bet if you are reading my post you don’t fall into that category. If you do, “Can you spare a dime?”

In closing I would like to remind you that Hispanic Heritage Month starts Monday September 15th, 2025, and goes to Wednesday October 15th, 2025. There are so many important dates and corresponding events that fall in September. The most significant is September 11th. The nation can empathize with those who lost their lives but more so for those that they left behind. We pray for them. We can then maybe appreciate all the sacrifices of the Hispanic Culture which has been the backbone of our country’s success and the losses they have incurred.

• September 15th: Independance Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
• September 16th: Mexico’s Independance Day
• September 18th: Chile’s Independance Day
• September 22nd: Autumnal Equinox (Marks the Start of Fall)

The reminder of the month is full of various awareness campaigns, national days, and observances like National Suicide Prevention Month, Read a Book Month and various less common celebrations.

• October 3rd: World Smile Day
• October 4th: HPLA Chairmans Bob’s Birthday
• October 13th Columbus Day (Federal Holiday)
• October 31st: Halloween
• In October is also World Mental Health Day, National Pumpkin Day, International Dwarfism Awareness Day.

Please know your donations are always needed and appreciated. http://www.hplacharities.org/donate. We have used up 100% of your donations YTD so please know you are loved and appreciated by our clients who were able to keep some utilities paid, put food on the table and able to help them get to work all thanks to you. FYI, repairs to homes are less in demand than other basic needs. We are expanding our help to more than repairs sometimes. We have installed ceiling fans, wheelchair ramps and rails lately too.

God Bless , Robert Flores Chairman Hpla Charities (Habitaciones Para Latinos Association)