TechMission Withstands and Helps in the Economic Downturn

As we face the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, urban ministries are facing a great increase in demand for their services at the same time their budgets are being cut.  In a weakened economy facing astonishingly high unemployment rates (6.5% in October, ½ million jobs cut in November) many new people are falling into homelessness and nonprofits are facing the true essence of fear, wondering if they have the ability to continue providing services, gain revenue and receive donations to reach their annual budget and help the world with its resources.  TechMission helps address this great need by connecting volunteers and low-cost personnel to provide millions of dollars of renewable resources to nonprofits.

The obstacles of high fuel and food prices, economic turmoil, and foreclosures have resulted in single women with children becoming affected by homelessness at higher rates than any other group, according to a survey of 22,000 homeless people conducted last month by the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM), which includes hundreds of the ministries that TechMission supports.  The requests for food services at various shelter organizations around the nation are rising, coming from people who are either presently displaced or will be shortly.

“Homelessness may be becoming a suburban issue, not just a skid-row issue,” said John Ashmen, Executive Director of AGRM.  Recession-induced layoffs and bank foreclosures on rental properties, a traditional housing option for lower-income individuals, sometimes leave people homeless through no fault of their own. “With so much additional need, now is the time for Americans to help. Even a small donation will mean a lot to organizations on the front lines of the economic downturn,” urges Ashmen.

Although many nonprofits may have a risk of failure due to the fragile state of the economy, TechMission is proof that failure is not inevitable for all nonprofits.  In 2008, TechMission has seen the outcomes and resources it provides to ministries increase by more than 100%, while our budget increased by only 8%.  TechMission’s positive sustainability and funding plan combines low cost staffing and volunteers at our after school program sites and headquarters.  Through the AmeriCorps National Direct grant, along with strong volunteer efforts and the willingness to serve, TechMission have been able provide resources that help keep program sites alive in Boston, Chicago, Denver, LA and Washington, DC.  Our AmeriCorps Members provide academic enrichment and technology activities to at-risk youth, to give youth the educational opportunities they need to succeed in school.

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