"United Way Looking to Assist Displaced Employees
Affected by Ferguson, Dellwood Unrest"
St. Louis Public Radio, February 4, 2014
The United Way would like to provide basic assistance for
employees who lost their job or had their hours decreased due to the events
that followed the shooting death of Michael Brown. The funding is coming from
the $1 million contract the United Way of Greater St. Louis received from St.
Louis County after numerous businesses were destroyed from looting, rioting,
and fires.
The group is hoping the assistance will help those employees
by providing funding for basic needs, such as rent and utilities, to avoid
eviction or homelessness.
Despite the available funding, the United Way told St. Louis
Public Radio they were having a difficult time locating qualified individuals.
The United Way has put out a public call, casting a wider
net. They are attempting to work with businesses to identify former residents
who have been scattered throughout the area by the loss of employment. They are
holding a Career Center Day to connect unemployed residents with career
counselors to identify job openings in the community.
Reading this article, I was reminded of last week's class
reading "Mapping Community Capacity" by McKnight & Kretzmann. The
United Way's efforts to assist the unemployed in the Ferguson community
acknowledges the asset they are to their community. By giving that financial
assistance, they are working to keep people in their homes and in their
community. By helping employees and businesses, they are helping to reinforce
the "capacities" within that community.
Do you have suggestions or strategies as to how to make sure
available financial assistance reaches those in need? How have you seen,
whether in Ferguson or other communities, financial assistance help? And where
have you seen it be less helpful/less productive/harmful?
I too thought of McKnight & Kretzmann's theories while reading this piece. It sounds like a great plan... fulfilling immediate needs of rent, gas, electric, etc. (thus making those who qualify into clients), while setting up the process in which those clients can become non-clients by returning to self-sufficiency. As far as rebuilding capacities in the community, it would depend upon whether these new opportunities (jobs) are created/offered within Ferguson or outside of it.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that the United Way says it has found no one to take advantage of the program. They seem to have taken the right steps to identify the displaced workers. Perhaps the majority of those individuals have already sought out and taken employment, thereby not needing to become clients.
I would also agree that long-term self sufficiency is important as what happens when the funding runs out? Also, I find it hard to imagine that the United Way has not located any individuals for this grant. I would like to know what others options they have looked at as far as contacting individuals. Finally, what time of communication has United Way had with businesses and how are the businesses communicating this information. What is the criteria to receive this funding? Is it possible that it is too stringent, making it impossible to find anyone?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your points, Michelle. I, too, am curious about why the UW has not located any individuals who could take advantage of these funds. How have they been trying to spread the word? Do leaders in the Ferguson/Dellwood communities know that these funds are available? What are the eligibility requirements?
DeleteI am also puzzled by this article as well. The idea seems great, but why can't they find anyone to utilize this funding? I think it is definitely likely that during the time that has passed since the unrest, individuals have already taken measures to find means of employment elsewhere. Maybe outside employers already, privately reached out to those who have lost their jobs or hours? It just seems very strange that no one has qualified, yet. I suppose they could change the eligibility requirements, but if they do, is that really where that money should go? If they find that truly no one qualifies, it just shows this is not where the funds are really needed and they can assess another way to help those impacted by the Ferguson unrest. As of now, I could not find an update on this particular matter. I plan to keep looking and continue this discussion.
ReplyDeleteI think that they have not found anyone qualified because there standards are too high. For example it says you have to be employed, but what about the individuals who use to have full time jobs but now are reduced to part time. They are still employed, so does that mean they do not qualify. Often many Career day's are filled with recruiters who tell you to go online to fill out an application, so today there is not really meeting your employer and establishing a relationship with them. Which also means that there was no point in coming to the career day, because many people have no problem going on line to fill out an application. In my oppion United Way need to go out to the community and actual engage themselves within the community. They need to figure out what type of jobs were offered before and what is being offered now? Is there a way they can offer the part time employees full time positions if they offered the employer assistance? I think its a great idea, but they are going about it the wrong way. Also, I doubt the many people in Ferguson have listen to this radio station, I have never even heard of it. I think they should talk about this to stations that have connections withing the community such as 104.1, 95.5.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ebony. To me, it seems like United Way thought they would not have any issues getting people qualified for the funding. Personally, I think it would have been helpful for United Way to interact with community partners, agencies, or residents in Ferguson to find out the needs of the community.
DeleteI think that the United Way has made great steps forward in helping these communities. From my understanding the United Way has designated $3 million for efforts in Ferguson this year. From what I understand this $3 million is coming from grants given to other non-profits.
ReplyDeleteThe Salvation Army has spent over $74,000 before Christmas with utility and other basic needs assistance, which was coordinated by the United Way. The Salvation Army also provided shopping sprees for many of the children and teens of Ferguson. So far I have not seen the results to be less helpful or harmful. For intervention purposes, it would be good to see where those who were helped during the Christmas season are now.
http://stlsalvationarmy.org/tag/ferguson/
I think it would be beneficial for the United Way to partner with other non-profits that are trying to service the area in more ways than just coordinating events. I don’t know the rules of sharing information, but I feel like the 323 households The Salvation Army was able to provide assistance for could be used as a starting point for flyers to be sent out for the assistance that’s available. I think the United Way could also buy time on local television and reach out to more radio stations, like Ebony said it is unlikely that those living in Ferguson listen to St. Louis Public Radio. In agreement with what others have said, the people affected should be able to receive the same quality of job, pay, and benefits. I think from a person in environment standpoint if no one has met the qualifications, the United Way should take a look at their qualifications and adapt them to better serve the Ferguson Area.