Healthy Communities Initiative

The "EZ Bake" Way to Build Assets

Recently while mixing up batches of brownies, the “EZ Bake” way, which means using the fabulous mixes that create foolproof delicacies, I had a thought! This is just how you build assets.

The mix in the box contains everything needed to start out~the hardest part for any baker who is in a hurry or has limited skills, the correct mixture of dry ingredients and the essential chocolate chunks. Reading over the directions, there are 3 simple ingredients to add that anyone would have in their homes- eggs, oil and water. A few quick mixing strokes and the batter is ready for the 350-degree oven that perfectly cooks up a lip-smacking load of goodies!

Now, for fun, let’s imagine that HCI is that big box of Brownie Mix, loaded with all the stuff needed to build assets in our communities: the passionate leaders, creative ideas, outstanding programs, devoted youth, supportive community partners, and the all-important PLAN which gives everyone the directions on how to make this happen. The oven is set at the correct temperature, the cooking dish is ready to receive the batter, and everyone is poised to taste the delicious results. The mixing phase begins and here is what the recipe calls for:

YOUR TIME, YOUR TALENT, YOUR DOLLARS

Imagine that YOUR TIME is the “eggs” which are key to binding the ingredients and holding things together. Then YOUR TALENT is the “oil” which makes things rich and smooth. Finally YOUR DOLLARS: the “water” that pulls it all together into a batter ready for baking.

“Yum, these are awesome”, comments my friend, “better than any I’ve had in a long time!” I reply that it couldn’t have been easier since I had the mix to start with and just a few simple ingredients that were around my home.

This is how HCI can be a force in our communities: the “EZ Bake” way to build assets. Consider if you can give YOUR TIME, YOUR TALENT and YOUR DOLLARS to HCI and then imagine how easy it will be to have the community of our dreams: rich with assets and awesome to enjoy!

For information on HCI and how you can provide those ingredients, call us at 610-891-6286 or visit www.hci-rtm.org and tell us what you can do! Thank you so much.