Week four’s reading covers a multitude of subjects from social services in general to specific housing and heating crisis’ affecting people today.
Chapter 4 from the book Nonprofit Nation provided a broad overview on the impacts and trends of social service agencies within the nonprofit sector. What really stuck with me from this chapter was within the statement “ the collective impact of nonprofit social service programs on society is not as visible as, for instance, the impact of Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and other leading nonprofit research universities”. While these more prestigious organizations may have high-profile board members and eye catching furnishings, it is social service agencies that make the differences we would truly suffer most without. It upsets me that the organizations and people who are pouring their hearts into dealing with some of the toughest problems that we as humans face can be so easily swept under the rug. It reminded me of a nonfiction novel I read a few years ago (that I can not remember the title of for the life of me) where the state of New York spent tax dollars to paint nice looking windows on a vast blank wall of an apartment built in the “projects”. This side of the apartment building faced the freeway which lead into the nicer areas of the city. By spending money on the “beautification” of this building people driving into the city were more easily able to ignore the suffering going on in their own backyards. It’s sad that this out of sight out of mind mentality continues to prevail throughout America, especially as wealth in our country continues to polarize and the number of individuals in need continues to increase.
A glance at the Louisiana Housing Assistance article made me briefly consider recanting my previous statement, as 10.5 million towards electricity bills initially sounds like a pretty good deal. However, when you take into account the affects of the recent GP oil spill on the economy of Louisiana and that this is an 11 percent drop from the funding provided during the last fiscal year it continues to look like our priorities are in bad shape.
The article Understanding the tools in the affordable housing toolkit goes on to say that there are currently over 20,000 residents of DC’s Southwest Waterfront on the waiting list for a Section 8 voucher. Keep in mind this is just within one district, in one state. I was then astounded to read that the US government only awards 7,000 section 8 vouchers annually when clearly there is a greater need. As the documentary made by the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition illustrates, as the number of people that are left without adequate housing increases the more economic and social productivity we lose as a nation.
I read the article done by the Register Guard on St. Vincent de Paul immediately after finishing Chronic Problems Plague Auburn Family Residence. And wow, it was really interesting to see what a difference good management can have on an organization. Granted St. Vincent de Paul and the Department of Homeless Services do different kinds of social work but I believe that the same ideas of prioritization and creative problem solving apply.
Hey Asia!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the economic downturn of Louisiana after the oil spill, but it makes sense that even though they are trying to help people pay electricity bills, it is still very little.
I also like that you pointed out the issue of gentrification on the city, and how it can make it easy to ignore people's suffering close by.
Your post really made me think!
Asia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post. I share your frustration regarding the lack of visibility that social service nonprofits receive. Its unfortunate that our country would rather "look good" than be honest with and address some of the problems that plague our people.
I was also happy to read about the citizens of Louisiana receiving some additional help with their power bills. They have been through a lot. I can't help but wondering where the extra money will come from. It seems we keep spending money that we don't have.
You made a great point in your final paragraph regarding good management and creativity. The additional readings that are assigned each week really touch on many issues but it seems they circle back to creativity.
Asia,
ReplyDeleteWhen I read about the Section 8 vouchers it made me wonder why there wasn't a push for more money to go towards them. I don't know how representative Eugene is but when I was last apartment hunting nearly every place said they didn't take Section 8 vouchers. The majority of places that did were complete dumps and looked like slumlords owned them. While helping people get into homes cheaper is commendable and should definitely be better funded perhaps there should also be requirements about having to allow Section 8 vouchers and minimum requirements for a standard of living for people who have Section 8 vouchers. Maybe that's also why there aren't many vouchers available because people can only move in slums so it doesn't look very good.