King County Journal - April 29, 2003

Five ways to show you care about human services
by Pamela Mauk

You care about human services. That's the conclusion of two recent surveys.

You believe human services are a key component of a quality life, and further, that government has a primary role in supporting these.

The Eastside Human Services Forum contracted with Hebert Research last year to question 400 demographically representative Eastsiders about what is important for a quality life, while the Metropolitan Parks Task Force asked Evergreen Research Group to survey 500 King County residents about how King County should prioritize its efforts. In both, not surprisingly, police and fire services were ranked most important.

More surprising, even to nonprofit agency staff, was the placement of human services. The availability of human services was considered extremely important to a good life in the Forum survey, even higher than ``ease of transportation.'' Don't believe it? The results are similar in the King County-wide survey. After public safety, human services (for children and the elderly) were considered most important, followed by transit and roads (which garnered even levels of support), affordable housing and parks.

What does this mean for human services organizations? It would seem to show a great deal of support. Yet, in very troubled times, it seems mighty quiet out there.

My guess is we are saturated with information and don't have a good idea about how best to make a difference. Let me, then, share some easy ways to help:

First, e-mail your state legislator today. (Find your legislators' e-mail addresses at www.leg.wa.gov.) The proposed state budget is woefully inadequate to preserve appropriate care for underserved people. Tell them we need increased human services funding from the state and more local options for raising dollars for services.

Second, give voice to your values with your peers. Human service staff experienced something of a ``who knew?'' moment when the results of these surveys came out. Now we need a wider understanding of our community's priorities to energize and inform decision-making.

Third, consider some ongoing connections with a ``public benefit'' organization (read: nonprofit). If you live or work on the Eastside, visit Family Resource Center between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. today when we will host the sixth annual Eastside Volunteer Fair. Three-dozen organizations will share opportunities for you to invest your time and skills in a human services organization. For those in either South County or the Eastside, you can also find volunteer opportunities at United Way's Volunteer Center at www.uwkc.org/volunteer.

Fourth, continue giving. Donations are needed more than ever to serve increased numbers of customers and a growing population. Consider what new ``delays in service'' actually mean to, say, a troubled teen or a homeless child.

Fifth, consider making a new, impactful investment. Family Resource Center has designed an opportunity to broadly support the Eastside human services infrastructure. The nonprofit agency is undertaking a campaign to significantly lower overhead costs and increase program dollars at 18 of the independent agencies on its Eastside human services campus by paying off its mortgage. That will put $2.8 million to work for programs (rather than for principal and interest payments), or more than $154,000 each year for the next 18 years. The outcome: support for violence prevention programs, food for the hungry, 500 more medical visits for the poor yearly, additional outreach for homeless teens, and much more.

We seek volunteers, opportunities to speak to groups and civic clubs, and gifts (donations will be doubled through September 30 thanks to a $150,000 matching grant from The Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation.) Learn more at www.familyresourcecenter.org.

Those in the South County looking for a new investment should think ``food banks,'' according to Kent human services planners. The South King County Food Bank Coalition, which directs donations to a number of locations, can be reached at 253-838-6810.

Five easy steps. Five ways to make a difference. Take a step today to show you care about your community and the people that make up your world.

Pamela Mauk is executive director of Family Resource Center, the Eastside's human services campus, and Treasurer of the Eastside Human Services Alliance. Readers can contact her via e-mail at pamm@familyresourcecenter.org.

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