Is The Homeless Service Agencies’ Glass Half Full or Half Empty?
A friend of mine recently wrote on her Facebook status this poignant question: “What’s the verdict? Will non profits survive this year, especially those working with people who are homeless?”
Given this detrimental economy that has devastated average families and adults across the country, I’m sure many people could very well be thinking that the extinction of many nonprofit groups is near. It’s not hard to fathom, especially in the world of homeless services.
Despite the claims that chronic homelessness has decreased in the past several years, everyone knows that homelessness overall has dramatically increased due to the current economy. So the need for housing and services is dramatically up.
Add to this, the fact that average families and adults who typically give to nonprofit organizations are tightening their financial belts. That means less donations to charity.
The increase of need and reduction of revenue is not a pretty picture for nonprofit agencies.
I know. The agencies that I lead are going through the same dire scenario. We are laying off staff, not filling open positions, and doing whatever we can to keep our doors open for people in need.
But I see the glass as half full—and even overflowing. Why? Because this gives us the opportunity to think outside of the box, to change the paradigm of addressing homelessness, and to streamline our operations.
It’s difficult to see staff go. It’s difficult to see more and more people coming to our doors because they desperately need our assistance. This, however, is forcing us to rid programs that don’t seem to be effective, invest in programs that make a difference, and focus staff on tasks that will force our organizations to help more people with less resources.
Homeless services need to emphasize homeless prevention. They also need to be more housing focused. Nonprofit agencies need to evaluate their ROI (return on investment) to see if the cost of services and housing is worth it.
Bottom line… Homeless service agencies will survive. Hopefully, they will be leaner, meaner, but continue to embrace their passion and compassion.
(Pic from http://3.bp.blogspot.com)
Given this detrimental economy that has devastated average families and adults across the country, I’m sure many people could very well be thinking that the extinction of many nonprofit groups is near. It’s not hard to fathom, especially in the world of homeless services.
Despite the claims that chronic homelessness has decreased in the past several years, everyone knows that homelessness overall has dramatically increased due to the current economy. So the need for housing and services is dramatically up.
Add to this, the fact that average families and adults who typically give to nonprofit organizations are tightening their financial belts. That means less donations to charity.
The increase of need and reduction of revenue is not a pretty picture for nonprofit agencies.
I know. The agencies that I lead are going through the same dire scenario. We are laying off staff, not filling open positions, and doing whatever we can to keep our doors open for people in need.
But I see the glass as half full—and even overflowing. Why? Because this gives us the opportunity to think outside of the box, to change the paradigm of addressing homelessness, and to streamline our operations.
It’s difficult to see staff go. It’s difficult to see more and more people coming to our doors because they desperately need our assistance. This, however, is forcing us to rid programs that don’t seem to be effective, invest in programs that make a difference, and focus staff on tasks that will force our organizations to help more people with less resources.
Homeless services need to emphasize homeless prevention. They also need to be more housing focused. Nonprofit agencies need to evaluate their ROI (return on investment) to see if the cost of services and housing is worth it.
Bottom line… Homeless service agencies will survive. Hopefully, they will be leaner, meaner, but continue to embrace their passion and compassion.
(Pic from http://3.bp.blogspot.com)
posted by LA's Homeless Blog at
8:39 AM
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