Finally, a glimmer of hope exists for the nearly 160 mentally disabled people stranded by the June closing of the Tidewater Occupational Center.

A similar operation, Chesapeake Service Systems, a nonprofit laundry, is willing to fill the gap by expanding its business – providing the resources become available. Executive Director Tom Swanston asked city lawmakers to commit $25,000 to the CCS capital campaign, and to write a letter urging U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes to pursue federal funding to help bring the project to fruition.

City Council needs to tap the city coffers to find the $25,000 that CCS needs.

That money wouldn’t just be funding bricks and mortar. It would be an investment that would reap intangible dividends – the sheer pleasure that comes from having a reason to get up in the morning, the pat on the back that comes with a job well done.

Do what’s right as a council. Do what’s right for your city. Do what’s right as people.

And mostly, do what’s right for those who can’t do it themselves.