Some Direct Service Updates
As a supporter of CVEM, you know there are many facets to the work of loving our neighbor that are done under this umbrella, from social justice conversations to interfaith work.
Direct Service continues to be at the heart of the daily life at CVEM, and in fact is probably what many people think of when they think of us. We wanted to give you a brief update on how this program has evolved over the last couple years.
In the past, people called a voicemail box and left a message with their needs. We would call back on a first-call basis until all that month’s appointments were full. We are now partnering with other community organizations, such as the Muscogee County School District’s Social Work Department, United Way, and the Children & Family Connection Russell County–just to name a few. We’re taking referrals from them, talking with them, and finding out in what ways we can be of assistance. This allows us not to only provide assistance but to be involved with their case management piece.
An example of that Children & Family Connection has a limit on the amount they can pay on a utility bill; however their clients will sometimes come in with amounts far above what they can pay, so CVEM will help make up the difference of that bill. Through that collaboration we are able to help a client where before they would have to tell them no.
This collaborative work helps us all pool our resources to really give people in our community a hand up and not a hand out, and to do so in a way that makes an impact!