Oink Oink

Why do we post calendars from other programs within our community? Why do we promote people using resources in our area instead of offering our own?

We don't just post them; we print them and hand them out. We encourage the people we work with to attend the different programs. We will even participate with them if it makes them more likely to go!

Why? We do this so they can learn new skills, meet new people, and build connections with people who are away from their "norm".

Why do we promote people using resources in our area instead of offering our own?

Just because we believe local services are lacking and don't offer enough, doesn't mean people shouldn't use what is there. Plus, the more in demand a service is, the more funding it should get, at least that is how it is supposed to work.

Does that mean we are piggybacking? No, what that means is we are helping our clients use programs that already exist. This also makes these programs more in demand. The more in demand they are, the more funding they could get. It means we are filling the gaps that would usually exist between our clients and the programs in the community.

Until we started talking about them, posting about them, photocopying and handing them out, not many knew these programs and services existed.

Until we offered to attend with them, they would have never gone.

Piggybacking NO, gap filling yes.

If more government and community organizations worked together, the differences we could make together would be immeasurable.