Overview
The University of Houston’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders has recognized the value of providing clinical services to the local communities. The Sunnyside community in Houston, Texas has actually been categorized as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the United States . Due to the increased congestion of residents, in conjunction with lack of economic and social support, youths in the area were identified to resort to criminal activities as a means for survival. In this regard, newly graduates from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences have formed a non-profit organization, the Sunnyside Youth Ministry, to provide educational and support services to disadvantaged youths at Sunnyside. The main thrust is to provide poor, yet deserving youths with access to academic support, means of livelihood, as well as connections to organizations requiring specialized skills.
Statement of Problem: Aiming for Higher Academic
a. PROBLEM: According to reports, Sunnyside exhibits low educational attainment . As emphasized, the US Census has revealed that “approximately 38% of the community’s residents have less than a high school diploma and only 32% have attained a high school diploma” (US Department of Commerce, 2010; cited in Curry, 2012, p. 5).
b. COMMUNITY: The demographic profile of Sunnydale revealed that the population which numbered about 21,745 residents as of 2009, as much as 92% are Black, followed by only 5.6% who are of Hispanic origin. The rest of the 2% are from varied ethnic and cultural orientation . Likewise, relevant statistics indicated the following: “60% of Sunnyside residents are either unemployed or not in the work force. Nearly 40% of the residents live below the poverty line and 64% had incomes less than twice that of Houston’s poverty level” .
c. ORGANIZATION: The newly graduates of the University of Houston’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders has established the Sunnydale Youth Ministry, in partnership with the Southeast Community Church. The non-profit organization plans to be actively engaged in conducting educational programs to the youths of various ages. Likewise, part of the program is the development of skills needed for employment, teaching residents the approach to avail of various social and health programs. As such, the Community-Campus Partnership for Health (CCPH) would be able to provide the needed financial assistance to enable starting and sustaining the program. The newly graduates of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders are equipped to help Sunnydale through the theoretical frameworks and skills set that were developed during their degree courses at the University of Houston. Likewise, the thrust has been openly promoted by the university, to wit: “The Department's mission is to advance the understanding of normal and disordered speech, language and hearing through teaching, scholarship and service to the community. We train graduate students to provide clinical services in speech-language pathology, provide service to the community, and conduct research on various areas of communication sciences and disorders” .Plan/Method/Schedule: Gantt Chart
The earmarked activities stipulate the major endeavors that are to be undertaken by the incorporators within the next six (6) months. As shown, the activities are to be implemented within the indicated time frame; for instance, for the solicitation of grant, the whole month of July 2015 is allotted to seek appropriate funding and approval. Concurrently, the filing of licenses with state regulators and agencies would also coincide with seeking sources for funding (grant). The performance monitoring is needed at the last part of October 2015 to determine whether there are needs to revise plans or to incorporate needed changes in program implementation.
Staffing Requirements
The following table provides details on the staffing patterns for Sunnydale Junior Ministry:
Members of the board of directors are the incorporators of the Sunnydale Junior Ministry, composed of seven (7) newly graduates of the University of Houston’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. One of the director would assume the role of a Program Director. Another director who is more competent in volunteer activities would assume the role of the Volunteer Director. Trainers and members would initially be 10 and would expand depending on the requirements of the organization, the support needed by the constituents, as well as the competencies in tapping social and health programs. The administrative assistant would prepare needed documentary and financial reports, as required by local state regulatory agencies.
Budget:
The total funding requirements for the organization is $50,000; to be allocated as follows:
Licenses: $2000; Office Structure, Furniture, and Supplies: $5000; Manpower requirements: $10,000; Overhead (maintenance, utilities, transportation expenses): $25,000; Hand-outs (educational materials): $8,000. The funds required, as proposed to be sourced from the CCPH grant would support all the identified activities, as enumerated in the above-noted Gantt chart. Likewise, the funding requirements are forecasted to support the needs of the organization for the next six to twelve months; or until such time that appropriate donations have been solicited for continued sustainability. The division and allocation of funds are shown in the pie-chart below:
Conclusion:
The aim of the Sunnydale Junior Ministry is to uplift the academic, social, and health performance of the youths (and their families), as well as to provide them with crucial opportunities to find employment. Through the grant proposal, the lives of the local community members at Sunnydale would definitely become more productive and economically rewarding. Moreover, through the learning opportunities, the proponents and trainers from the ministry would ensure that the youths and their families would have continued access to social and health programs within the local community. Overall, the quality of lives of the residents at Sunnydale would definitely be improved through sustained education and livelihood.
References
Curry, K. (2012). Sunnyside Update. Retrieved from ghahec.org: http://www.ghahec.org/SUHN%20Project%20Report%2012.01.11%20-%2009.30.12.pdf
KHou. (2013, May 1). Sunnyside rated one of nation’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Retrieved from khou.com: http://www.khou.com/story/news/2014/07/23/12031758/
US Department of Commerce. (2010). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved from census.gov: http://www.census.gov/#
