Oraker, J. (1988). Discover the gold mine of community resources. Inside the Mission. Colorado Springs, CO: Young Life.

OVERVIEW

What would you do in these situations?

• Jeff calls and says he has a friend over at his house who he thinks overdosed on drugs.
• Emily tells you in tears that her father is molesting her.
• Andy has run away for the third time and refuses to go home.

One option is to call a community agency that specializes in these areas; you cannot be an expert on all of the problems encountered by kids today. To utilize the resources available when a crisis occurs, do some community research.

Community research involves two steps:

• Personal contact.
• Recording the contacts and their information.

STEP ONE: CONTACTING A COMMUNITY AGENCY

Agencies to contact include your local social services agency and the police department. Also ask suicide, drug, and pregnancy hotlines for the names of agencies that deal with adolescent problems. After compiling a list of agencies, follow these steps with each organization:

• Phone ahead and make an appointment.
• Know the name (and its proper spelling) of the individual with whom you will be speaking during your appointment.
• Tell the individual why you want to speak with him or her before you arrive. For example, say, "Hi, I'm Jeff James. I work with the local Young Life group here. We're an interdenominational Christian group that works with teenagers. I'm setting up a community referral system to help me better serve the needs of the kids I work with and I'd like to find out what you do. I'd also like to tell you about us."
• During the meeting show sincere interest in their program and be sure that you understand it. Ask specific questions for your resource notebook. Show interest in the person you are talking to; ask how they became involved in this kind of work. Ask for examples of how they have worked with kids in the past.
• Let the contact person know how you can serve them. Leave with them information about your organization (include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail).
• Express your appreciation of his or her time both verbally and by letter. Write a brief note of thanks immediately. Promote a positive, cordial relationship with the community agencies in your town.

STEP TWO: RECORDING THE CONTACTS

Set aside several pages in a looseleaf notebook or in a database and create eleven columns. In each column record the following information about each agency:

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• Formal name of the community agency. Include the initials of the community agency in parenthesis. Community agencies, like universities, are often identified by their initials rather than their formal name. For example, Youth Services Bureau (YSB).

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• Address of the community agency including both the street and mailing address. For example, 200 East Alpine Street, (include P.O. box number if relevant), Colorado Springs, CO 11111.

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• Phone number of the community agency, including the area code.

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• Date of contacts with the agency, including the month, day, and year.

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• Name of the contact person, including their preferred name in parenthesis. Also include the person's professional degree and his or her agency title and position. For example, Ms. Barbara Liston, (Barb), B.A., Director, Youth Service Bureau.

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• Relational contact personal information. For example, Barb is pursuing her master's degree. She is active in her youth group at church.

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• Referral mechanics-this is how you actually get the organization to help someone. For example, daily office hours for referrals are: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., phone, 555-6880. Emergency services or on weekends call 555-6611.

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• Agency services, including specialties. For example, YSB is primarily a crisis and referral agency for youth between the ages of 10-18. They work well for kids who are involved in incest or abuse, and are themselves nonviolent.

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• Agency needs, including notes of how you can help or have helped them. For example, YSB urgently needs volunteers for their newsletter production, and Speaker's Bureau. Sent over Jane Smith to help with the newsletter.

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• Agency referral and new contacts-ask, "Is there another agency you think might be useful for me to contact?"

Update the information in your notebook at least once a year. Share it with your staff and volunteers.

 

IMPLICATIONS

• One's personal response is the most important immediate response.

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• Some problems are beyond one's expertise. Save valuable time and stress be knowing the options.
• Willingness to be helpful, available, and supportive are the first steps. The next step is to guide. Be a knowledgeable guide.