Community
And
Resource
Empowerment
Solutions
Within the context of any community are those who are disadvantaged economically, physically, mentally, socially, and in other ways. Although a number of entities in Stillwater focus on providing food, clothing, shelter, and other resources, currently there is no coherent system of coordination by which to avoid unnecessary duplication, insufficient services, abuse of resources, and waste. Meanwhile, there are disadvantaged individuals and families who continue in cycles of systemic poverty and other hardships.
A growing percentage of both permanent residents and OSU students are in need of assistance. From strictly an economic viewpoint, 2008 government statistics indicate 27.3% of Stillwater residents are with income below the poverty level, while the state average is 14.7%. The impact of national economic instability, local industry closures, layoffs, and other factors have increased the demand for needed resources and services. For example, one emerging local demographic is those who find themselves unexpectedly without employment but are unfamiliar with the protocol for seeking assistance.
Coordinating the efficient and effective management of communication, assistance, services, and resources is critical. Positive, cooperative alliances will bring the community of Stillwater and the campus of Oklahoma State University together in an unprecedented and socially transforming way.
the Challenge
Stillwater CARES exists to forge City of Stillwater and Oklahoma State University alliances that will cooperatively meet needs of and empower those who are disadvantaged.
Our Vision is to create a “One Stop Shop” communication and coordination hub that will expedite the screening of applicants then match their respective needs to available services and resources.
The dynamics of Our Mission are:
•To provide Community And Resource Empowerment Solutions in a responsible, respectful way.
•To motivate and equip beneficiaries through educational and partnership programs.
•To increase, mobilize, and support an intergenerational volunteer network.
the Solution
Communication, coordination, and cooperation are the key components to facilitate effective alliances that will address and meet responsibly the needs of the disadvantaged among us.
Stillwater CARES is rooted in dialogues among a group of concerned faith-based and community leaders. This ad hoc “Benevolence Initiative” conducted a survey in November 2008. The next month, results were presented to a mixed audience that included representatives from 65% of Stillwater’s churches. The Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency and The Salvation Army were the first to team up with one another to begin implementing proposals put forth at the December presentation. Their motivation led to twelve churches and several community organizations collaborating with them in 2009.
Stillwater CARES builds upon this enterprising network of already successfully partnering entities and supports multi-faceted systems of coordination – thereby increasing efficiency of services while reducing waste. Joining forces with Oklahoma State University will expedite the achievement of that goal.
Drawing from the Oklahoma State UniversityCreativity Initiative 2008-2009 Annual Report, hypothetical joint ventures could include:
•“Farm to University Dining,” positioning OSU as a leader in the use of locally grown food, to engage with OKSprouts Organic Community Garden to help meet respective goals and at the same time provide a way for beneficiaries to participate in programs from which they could also profit.
•“Real Pokes Pass It On,” cooperating with a local distribution center to make not only OSU but also Stillwater a national leader in the recycling and redistribution of unwanted, but usable, items.
•“Operation S.E.R.V.E.,” collaborating with the likes of the United Way of Stillwater Volunteer Center to increase student service in the community and to expand volunteerism generally.
As Stillwater CARES helps orchestrate innovative partnerships, an anticipated outcome will be the creation of new services and resources to more effectively meet the growing needs in our community.
the Implementation
Throughout 2009, cooperative endeavors resulted in a quantifiable increase over previous years in community response to meeting needs, most noticeably during the holiday season when people tend to be more generous. The following action steps will help establish a unique and viable system around a common cause of cooperatively meeting needs in responsible ways, meanwhile empowering beneficiaries.
Three-year Plan:
1.Develop the www.StillwaterCARES.org website as a virtual center for information and networking.
2.Broaden the existing base of volunteers. Communication and recruitment are keys to establishing an intergenerational network of volunteers who can respond to this #1 expressed need of provider agencies.
3.Increase the number of cooperating entities by 50% per year by leveraging existing City of Stillwater alliances and incorporating Oklahoma State University.
4.In addition to offering emergency and other assistance, provide volunteer, equipping, and mentoring experiences for beneficiaries to promote dignity and reduce dependence.
5.Turn receivers into givers, the enabled into the empowered. Doing so will help the disadvantaged and marginalized to increase their economic and social standard of living.
6.Secure adequate storage. A commonly expressed need of providers is increased storage capacity for both short- and long-term usage. Increased storage will make possible the stockpiling of items.
7.Foster strategic relationships among service providers such as Mission of Hope, United Way, CREC, Stillwater utilities, grocers, retailers, counselors, financial planners, health professionals, and others.
8.Capitalize on the integration of knowledge and experience from different fields. Innovative and creative solutions to meeting needs will generate from adventurous dialogues and synergistic think-tanks.
9.Establish Stillwater CARES as its own 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, governed by its own Boards of both Directors and Advisors comprised of community, campus, and faith-based members.
10.Initiate grant writing that will result in funding to expand needed services and resources, to employ a Stillwater CARES Coordinator, to increase storage capacity, and ultimately, to establish a literal “One Stop Shop” environment to facilitate coordination and communication in a cohesive manner.
