The New Normal for Human Services

OFF the BEAT

ROBERT L. SPINKS, MA, MS

COMMENTATOR

THE NEW NORMAL FOR HUMAN SERVICES Published on Wed, Aug 17, 2011 by Robert Spinks, MA, MS http://www.sequimgazette.com/spinks I am joined in this week‘s column by Father Bob Rhoads, Rector, St. Luke‘s Episcopal Church in Sequim and Tim Hockett, executive director of the Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP). We tackle the painful reality of a ‗new normal‘ that is cutting to the quick in American communities as our recession continues into a fourth long year.

Human services are in trouble and the tradition of looking to the federal government to fix or fund critically important local needs is dying. At the end of the day, democrat, republican, tea party or libertarian – the labels and titles have little meaning when you come face-to-face with needy senior citizens, under-employed families, and children who are in need of clean clothes, food and health care.

One of the things I love about the Sequim-Dungeness Valley is the generosity of average citizens. I‘ve seen a need identified many times and then filled by people stepping forward with gifts of time, clothing, food, and cash from small donations to significant contributions.

Local needs are a Sequim problem now, not an Olympia or a Washington, D.C. problem anymore.

Not all communities are as giving as Sequim.

There is a ‗new normal‘ that faces our communities as federal and state support for social services dries up.

When you combine government cuts with a tight economy, grants and personal giving for charitable nonprofit programs are also challenged.

OlyCAP is a non-profit provider of over 40 helping programs that stretch across Clallam and Jefferson counties. One program that will suffer cutbacks is the Sequim Senior Nutritional Meal Program. The Senior Meals On-Wheels Program that delivers one meal-a-day to seniors who are shut-in is safe for now.

The forty to sixty folks who gather for the Sequim Senior Nutrition Program meals Monday through Friday at Suncrest Village in Sequim will have that service cut to only three days per week now, and further cuts are a real possibility later.

Can we, as a community, find local resources to provide an alternative meal so these folks can enjoy a meal and continue the daily fellowship that they look forward to?

Early indicators are that we can and we will – but, only with the support of the Sequim and Dungeness Valley community.

In recent weeks, Fr Bob, Tim and I have reached out to the faith-based community and other non-profit groups to brainstorm ideas. These initial meetings have been very positive. It has become apparent, however, that this particular effort cannot be viewed in isolation.

Other helping hands in the community are feeling the

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pinch of high demand and limited resources. OlyCAP is not alone; and cuts to senior services are not the only cuts happening. Our traditional safety nets, like OlyCAP, are all struggling. OlyCAP and other groups truly want to do more, but we are all strapped for funds.

There is no question that this reflects a ―new normal for human services.‖ It is a normal that was representative of American life decades ago when there were very few government social services — when people lent a helping hand out of a sense of kindness, caring and compassion. Communities used to express great pride saying, ―We take care of our own.‖ Invisible Until You Look All through this prolonged recession, we have been reminded that many people are struggling just to feed their children. Too many are unemployed or underemployed, that is, settling for jobs that pay low wages when they used to earn far more.

eroded the tax base and the political environment has rendered quick solutions to human need extremely unlikely.

But we strongly believe that we (you and I), as neighbors, can still have a fundamentally positive impact, if we work together and find our caring, compassionate, giving side.

Many of us are blessed — have done well in life, worked hard, earned a great living, were in the right place at the right time, or just got lucky. There has never been a better time to give a bit back to help others in need. You can dig deep and make a contribution to OlyCAP, a 501(c)3 tax deductible non-profit group or the charitable organization of your choice.

The OlyCAP web site is www.olycap.org and you can make a safe and secure donation on-line and the phone number is 360-385-2571. The Sequim Food Bank is located at 144 W. Alder Street in Sequim. For information their phone is 360-683-1205.

Some have lost their medical insurance and are weighed down by high medical costs that essentially impoverish them. Some have lost their homes; some have been bankrupted. Yes, homelessness is real, so is hunger here in Sequim and on the Olympic Peninsula.

What about the elderly and disabled? Too many go to bed at night worrying about how they‘ll survive the coming month. Too many go to bed still hungry. Too many do not have a family or support system to provide them even a minimum quality of life in their waning years.

Too many of these folks in need are invisible, unless you look.

I sat and talked with Steve Rosales, a hard working volunteer who was handing out fresh produce, milk and canned goods at the Sequim Food Bank just last week.

Rosales says that every week over 300 families are now using the help offered by the Food Bank.

Now is the time to turn on your kindness. Now is the time for genuine benevolence. Now is the time to volunteer, to contribute, to offer a word of encouragement rather than blame. The community has many needs; let‘s resolve to be part of the solution.

In the meantime, Fr Bob, Tim, I and others will be working with our local faith-based community to seek volunteers to supplement the reduced Senior Meal Program in Sequim. We hope that through a combination of churches and civic groups that we will be able to not just save the current senior meal program, but that we will see it expand to 6 days a week. That is a significant community project – but, don‘t our seniors deserve at least one meal-a-day?

If we pull together, our children and their children might say, ―I remember back when people took care of each other!‖ We‘ll keep you posted.

Wait for Government?

While others argue about the appropriate role of government; we call upon you to help us help others.

There is no need to debate; there is a need for volunteerism, food collections and donations of cash.

If we wait for governmental solutions, we will all be sadly disappointed. The downturn in the economy has

Robert Spinks is former Sequim chief of police and Interim City Manager. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Sequim Senior Activity Center and the Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) and is a volunteer Manager at KSQM 91.5 FM. Reach him at robertbythebay@aol.com .

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