Community Resources Awareness

This week, I was able to wander around in the community and explore the resources that are available to women who have been affected by divorce, domestic violence or sexual assault. I was able to visit United Way of Utah County and the Outreach Center for Women and Children in Crisis. 

While visiting United Way of Utah County, I was able to converse with a secretary in the office. In our conversation, we went over the different resources that are available to single mothers or those who have been affected by domestic violence. After having discussed some resources available to women in the community, I brought up the question "So, are these resources well known to women in need? For example, if I were to be an individual suffering from domestic violence, how easy would it be for me to access these resources?". She began to explain 2-1-1, which is a program which United Way uses to branch out to those in need. Most of the outreach centers or clinics where women are attending are aware of the 2-1-1 program and can refer their patients to call and become aware of what is available. This is not just for women, but for others who are struggling to find resources to get along. 

https://appadvice.com/app/211-utah/1167593755

However, a disturbance began to develop with the next thing this secretary told me. Because of the high population here in Provo, United Way does not always have all the resources that women are in need of. Specifically, housing is a resource they are having difficulty providing for single mothers, or those who are recently divorced or affected by domestic violence. The question then came, "Why are all of these programs for women? Why do they not have these programs for men? Is it true then that women are more likely to suffer from domestic violence? Is it true that women are more likely to receive a lower starting wage?" Although I do not have statistics to back up these questions, I felt that by providing these resources for women was a sign that women are on a different level than men in society.  I have never felt oppressed as a women. I realized that maybe I was wrong or at least these programs for women were trying to teach me otherwise. These programs, United Way and The Women and Child in Crisis Center, are trying to provide more equality to women, allowing them to break through the position they may feel stuck in.

From this experience, I left pondering what I would need to do to help make these resources more known. Where is the awareness? As I walked into the United Way office to talk with one of the secretaries, I stated that I was there to learn more about the resources. After 5 mins, I realized there were many programs meant to help women who are struggling. Why had I never heard of the Women's Outreach Center in Orem? Why had I never heard of People Helping People, a program designed to help single mothers break through minimum wage and receive higher pay to support their families? Or Cars that Care, a program to help single mothers work towards getting their own vehicle? I have it pretty good. I am a white middle class woman who is just branching out into society through her college experiences. I had to search to find this information. It was not like I would have magically come across it. How then could this information be more readily available? What is my role in helping others now that I know? Can I help by donations? Can I help by making announcements through social media? How many women are not receiving the help they need because they do not know where to find it? What is at risk for these women? Will they stay in abusive relationships? Continue to receive less pay than they should? Continue to be oppressed?

I was only able to explore one of the branches of United Way. There are many other resources available? These resources may not be as known as well. The big question then is "What are we going to do to change that?". Honestly, I don't know. But I'm willing to learn!