East Bay Coalition for the Homeless - Roger Williams University
East Bay Coalition for the Homeless - Roger Williams University
East Bay Coalition for the Homeless - Roger Williams University
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Situation Analysis<br />
Organizational Analysis<br />
From <strong>the</strong> very beginning, <strong>the</strong> <strong>East</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Coalition</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Homeless</strong> has depended on <strong>the</strong> local <strong>East</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> community to<br />
support it in its ef<strong>for</strong>ts. The program was started 1989 when community leaders and church groups joined toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
to devise a strategy to meet <strong>the</strong> needs of <strong>the</strong> homeles.<br />
Currently, <strong>the</strong> EBCH is a program of <strong>the</strong> <strong>East</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> Community Action Program. The organization owns and operates<br />
18 apartments <strong>for</strong> homeless families. Consistent with <strong>the</strong> “hand up, not a hand out” idea, <strong>the</strong> EBCH’s programs are<br />
focused on providing eligible families safe, af<strong>for</strong>dable housing as well as support and services to help <strong>the</strong>m become<br />
financially stable so that <strong>the</strong> families can manage <strong>the</strong>ir own housing needs <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> long term.<br />
EBCH’s annual operating budget is $500,000, including $130,000 in cash assistance that goes directly to households<br />
to prevent homelessness. The major source of funding <strong>for</strong> its housing programs are Federal Funds from HUD at<br />
$58,000, State funds, private grants and fundraising activities. Funding <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> majority of services has remained level<br />
since <strong>the</strong> early 1990s. More recently, however, <strong>the</strong> EBCH has lost $90,000 in donations and funding because of <strong>the</strong><br />
current economic downturn. The EBCH would like to recapture at least $50,000 of that.<br />
These economic realities mean that <strong>the</strong> organization does not have <strong>the</strong> budget to dedicate to marketing and communications<br />
as some competing organizations do. Never<strong>the</strong>less, <strong>the</strong> EBCH has a small but dedicated staff who exhibit a<br />
real passion and dedication <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir work and <strong>the</strong> organization offers a unique set of services.<br />
Current Marketing Ef<strong>for</strong>ts<br />
The <strong>East</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>Coalition</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Homeless</strong> currently has its own website which provides in<strong>for</strong>mation on upcoming<br />
events, how to volunteer, services offered, and who <strong>the</strong> board members are. The EBCH also has also expanded its<br />
presence on several o<strong>the</strong>r sites including Shelterlistings.org, WhyHunger.org and Rhode Island United Way 2-1-1.<br />
Currently, marketing ef<strong>for</strong>ts focus primarily on what <strong>the</strong> organization does and <strong>the</strong> services it offers along with<br />
fundraising ef<strong>for</strong>ts through events.<br />
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