working on neighborhood networks, or contact the NYCCAH office if you’re interested in setting one up on your own.
Providing Referrals to Expand Your Services
Research other social services in your community and develop new partnerships to strengthen services for your hungry neighbors. Resources that you can explore to learn more about local programs include:
If you are limited in space, time, and resources you may wish to consider providing referrals to your clients/customers. The quality of a referral can vary greatly from agency to agency, and even within agencies. Keep these guidelines in mind when considering referrals to other programs:
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Elected Officials (Go to www.nypirg.org and type in your zip code, or look in the New York City blue pages of the phone book. City Council Members, State Assembly Members and Senators, and United States Representives and Senators usually have lists of community groups.)
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Community Boards (look in the New York City blue pages of the phone book).
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Hospitals (Ask to speak with their social workers.)
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Police Precincts (Every precinct has a Community Relations Officer.)
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Settlement Houses
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YMCA’s and other community-based nonprofits
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Social work departments in colleges or universities
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Churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship
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Boys and Girls Clubs
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Block and neighborhood associations
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Access: A referral source is useless if
the person in need is not able to get to the program. You may know of a great organization in Queens, but if a single mom from the Bronx has to take her three children on the subway and a bus to get there, it is highly unlikely that the referral will be utilized.
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Relationships: People you trust, whose skills and empathy you do not have to question, make good referral sources.
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Monitor referrals: If you monitor the referrals you make and then follow-up on the feedback you receive from a client, you are likely to quickly develop a strong referral base. While some agencies will not welcome your call regarding a client who was treated poorly, others will thank you for informing them of a problem. A thank you letter to an organization is a great way to reinforce a compassionate response. This monitoring will improve the quality of care that everyone receives—not just your client.
Above: Joel Berg advocates beside Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn at a press conference to secure better access to fresh, affordable produce in low-income areas
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Section 4
Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry Best Practices Guide