If  you did not see last Sunday’s Tulsa World, it is well worth checking out their front-page profile of families hit by the economic downturn, titled “Faces of the Recession”. Reporters Ginnie Graham and Mike Averill tell the stories of six families hit by job losses who are doing everything in their capacities to stay afloat in these rough financial waters. The article is particularly compelling in portraying how the recession is hitting families that were formerly anchored in the middle class, leading many to seek out assistance from government, private charities, and family members to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. For those seeking assistance for the first time, in particular, the state’s 211 Helpline service (the link is to Tulsa 211, one of six regional centers that cover the state) is invaluable in helping connect families in need with social service providers who are available to lend a hand.