From Foster kids to Veterans

Our class has had an exciting few weeks!

We're debating on whether or not a project will be more successful over others, or whether it's providing something unique that Missoula is missing. We've received all kinds of applications - from funding for PTSD mediation classes for veterans, to projects addressing job training for young adults aging out of the foster system, to parenting classes for at risk families, after school programs, and trauma training for staff at a local foster home.

As a prospective community health major it's interesting to see the varied ways that these non-profits tackle issues. Trauma counseling is important piece, as certain trauma events in children’s lives put them at higher risk of suicide/mental illness. Having art therapy for healing is another, retraining minds from PTSD veteran sufferers and is a way to combat higher suicide rates among the veteran population as well as tackling the social isolation that can be a major contributor. It’s encouraging to see real and creative solutions coming from our city to strengthen Missoula and make it a more resilient place to live.

This week we narrowed it down to a top ten. In class discussions, we argued or defended certain ones that were close to our hearts. It came down to how we could see funds being used and how well we felt that organization’s goals could address the problem. Does the project address a narrow segment of the population? What does our research show was a gap in Missoula and how does this address those need areas? Does the organization provide a good idea of how they can pull off a program effectively?

We have so much need and so many people doing good work in Missoula. Not being able to fund them all makes the importance of being invested and supporting them when we can very clear. It’s inspiring to witness those in our community seeing needs in Missoula and working hard to solve them.

It's also a great way to see examples of opportunity instead of complacency in problems, to see concrete ways from 'its always been that way' thinking to avenues in which we can be creative with our challenges.

The hardest part is going to be choosing one or two for funding with the 10,000 that we have been given. Every one of these organizations are worthy of funding and attention. There are so many great and unique proposals it's going to be difficult to weed them down!

So It Begins...

This week we are up to our eyeballs in proposals! We have 23 total to consider from nonprofits all over Missoula, ranging from organizations that help children with speech impediments to education programs that operate in outdoor classrooms.

The chose to focus on youth concerns, and suicide prevention and mental health. We're rating each one on multiple metrics, such as clarity of project
goal, health of the organization, potential of providing a unmet need in our city, and use of funds requested. For each proposal we've got a list of criteria and a grid to rate each item from 0 - 5. It's a lot of information to process!

Its a lot more time-consuming than we originally anticipated; this year there were more than the average number of applicants. Every student rates every proposal and once we're done with that, the fun will begin...

It will be interesting to see if we think in similar ways about this, or if there's a lot of diversity in the class in terms of what excites us and makes us think the money will be put to good use.