Posted 9:26 pm Friday, August 03, 2012
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Nonprofit Groups Form New Coalition
BY REBECCA HOEFFNER
rhoeffner@tylerpaper.com
A new initiative, the Smith County Coalition on Human Needs, is being organized, and will have its first workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Cottonbelt Building, 1517 W. Front St.
“This is a coalition of people and agencies that make up the safety net all working together,” steering committee member Christina Fulsom said.
More than 50 organizations and individuals have been invited, each with a focus on addressing different needs in the community. Those invited include governmental and faith-based agencies, and agencies and experts in mental health, different levels of the foster care system, faith-based, governmental agencies, substance abuse, domestic abuse, hunger, physical disabilities, illiteracy and veterans’ issues.
Mrs. Fulsom said the group plans to look at community needs and come up with priorities, which they will begin addressing based on what comes out of Wednesday’s meeting.
“We’re excited about it,” she said. “It’s for anyone who wants to help those who are vulnerable or low-income — and those populations aren’t always the same.”
According to a written release from the organization, those who attend the meeting will “learn the elements of an effective coalition, establish the purpose of the Smith County Coalition of Human Needs, determine priorities and establish next steps.”
Ken Martin, CEO of the Texas Homeless Network, and Eric Samuels, manager of the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care, will lead the workshop.
For more information, call 903-216-3211 or email christina.fulsom@yahoo.com.
rhoeffner@tylerpaper.com
A new initiative, the Smith County Coalition on Human Needs, is being organized, and will have its first workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Cottonbelt Building, 1517 W. Front St.
“This is a coalition of people and agencies that make up the safety net all working together,” steering committee member Christina Fulsom said.
More than 50 organizations and individuals have been invited, each with a focus on addressing different needs in the community. Those invited include governmental and faith-based agencies, and agencies and experts in mental health, different levels of the foster care system, faith-based, governmental agencies, substance abuse, domestic abuse, hunger, physical disabilities, illiteracy and veterans’ issues.
Mrs. Fulsom said the group plans to look at community needs and come up with priorities, which they will begin addressing based on what comes out of Wednesday’s meeting.
“We’re excited about it,” she said. “It’s for anyone who wants to help those who are vulnerable or low-income — and those populations aren’t always the same.”
According to a written release from the organization, those who attend the meeting will “learn the elements of an effective coalition, establish the purpose of the Smith County Coalition of Human Needs, determine priorities and establish next steps.”
Ken Martin, CEO of the Texas Homeless Network, and Eric Samuels, manager of the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care, will lead the workshop.
For more information, call 903-216-3211 or email christina.fulsom@yahoo.com.
