Challenges to providing resources kcr
- 1. Challenges to Providing Resources for Low-Income Families and Individuals Photovoice Project By: Sarah Millar
- 2. Kitsap Community Resources KCR is a non-profit organization that relies on funding from its’ public and private partners, as well as government grants and individual donors. Programs include; Housing solutions, energy assistance, WIC, Worksource services, Veterans assistance, financial education classes, and referral services for outside programs. “All KCR programs have a family focus with emphasis placed on cultural sensitivity and awareness of diversity of backgrounds, objectives and experiences. Because our employees are “motivated by our mission”, KCR continues to be applauded as a lead community-based agency that meets low- income family needs.” Kitsap Community Resources. Retrieved June 03, 2016, from http://www.kcr.org/about_us.htm “Our mission at Kitsap Community Resources is to create hope and opportunity for low-income Kitsap County residents by providing resources that promote self-sufficiency.”
- 3. Method Recruited 5 fellow coworkers as participants and explained to them the purpose and process of photovoice Explained to my 5 participants the SHOWeD method and asked them to take pictures with accompanying text following this method Collected pictures and accompanying text and collaborated to identify common themes Developed an action plan on what can be done
- 4. Lack of Staff In Port Orchard we have a community in need of housing solutions, most of whom are in crisis and needing assistance immediately. In our Housing Solutions Center we have funding available but due to budget cuts we don’t have a full time navigator manning our office. With a fully staffed office we would have the ability to potentially help 3X the amount of clients we help now, with only having a navigator two days a week for four hours. Most people in our community that are in need of housing options don’t have the financial means to commute to Bremerton, where they have a fully staffed HSC Office. Because of this, many are left without options for their housing needs.
- 5. Heart Wrenching Work Sometimes working in social services can be heart wrenching, especially when you become emotionally involved. This is a reenactment of when a coworker and I had to call CPS on an abandoned baby and we had to watch the police take the child away from the grandmother who was hysterical and due to a language barrier, didn’t understand why it was happening.
- 6. Empty Building It is the middle of the day and not a person in sight. What a waste of space this is if nobody comes in needing help. It could be that the people in need don’t know that we are here or what we have to offer them. Would we continue to receive funding if everyday was like this? Maybe by making more people aware of our services we can increase their usage.
- 7. Empty Classes This is our Thursday morning Excel class and only one person attended. In order to continue to receive funding for our worksource classes and programs, we need people to take advantage of the programs that we have now.
- 8. WIC NEEDS CLIENTS WIC needs to increase enrollment of pregnant women and children up to 5 years old, so if you know anyone who qualifies send them over. Enrollment numbers directly effect funding which effects the program’s ability to assist its’ clients.
- 9. The Struggle is Real “The challenge of work-life balance is without question one of the most significant struggles faced by modern man.” -Stephen Covey Supply Demand
- 10. Common Themes Lack of funding Lack of adequate staff Not enough people utilizing our services Emotionally and mentally straining work Demand is far greater than what we are able to supply People may be unaware of our location and available resources
- 11. Action 1. Improve marketing and advertisement of services 2. Apply for additional funding and increase partnerships 3. Develop a need 4. Emotional investment comes with the job description. You cant properly assist people if you don’t care about their situations. 5. Word of mouth goes a long way 6. Clients and volunteers are always needed
- 12. The End Thank you for your time