Author/Task Force Member: Becky Dennison, College Transitions Coordinator, Franklin County Adult Education
Safety net: “I had a friend who needed to be caught, she asked to be caught, she begged to be caught, nobody had a net for her, and she died that week.”
The Franklin County Domestic Violence Task Force is part of a developing safety net for our community.
For our net to be strong, it is important for social service agencies and community organizations to be strong. Our outreach projects, local human service programs, mental and physical health care providers and educators all need to take part in the collaboration.
Life is full of challenges and obstacles for us all, some more than others. Some children are born needing more care than others; relationships can become unhappy and even unsafe; life situations can feel overwhelming and near impossible. As community members and collaborators, we can work together to form a more cohesive net.
In my position as Career Advisor and Coordinator of the College Transitions program at Franklin County Adult and Community Education, I get to work with many amazing individuals along the way.
A 59-year old learner talks about the need to “feel the feeling of success.” She knows there are people out there who aren’t sure of their ability to start over and who need more education to get on a better track. “Often people don’t realize that they need help with depression, anger, safety, and other basic needs.” She says that you have to start with life situations.
“If you don’t start with life situations to get on track, you don’t have the courage to put the pieces together; you can lose momentum, and then it’s hard to keep taking steps.” She also says that “taking steps too fast or too big means more chance of overdoing it; you need to take small steps to feel the feeling of success; too quickly and you can trip.”
This learner has worked closely with Safe Voices throughout her divorce. She has taken Ed-To-Go classes through Voc Rehab and done job searches and a resume workshop at the Career Center. She has taken an Excel class at Adult Education and is now taking a Technology class while she is waiting to hear back about a potential job. This determined 59-year-old woman worries that getting the minimum wage job will mean losing her much needed Social Security.
With all of her experience working with local agencies and providers, this community member says that her biggest beef is that…“there is no carryover into the workforce; it is important to integrate services so that you have a successful outcome.” Often employers want to hire experienced employees, but…“how do you get the experience if you can’t get through the door?” “People in the job market should offer more internships.”
These are some of the needs and disconnects that we must be aware of in our work together as community members and collaborators; as we strengthen our net and our commitment to others who are working through the tough “life situations” and beyond. I propose that we hold an annual Community Resource and Collaboration event. If you are interested in this event, please contact Rebecca Dennison at bgdennison@gmail.com.
The Franklin County Domestic Violence Task Force is a coalition of agencies and concerned citizens with a mission to lead and empower local people to end domestic violence. For more information about this article or the FCDVTF, please contact Stacie Bourassa at (207)778-6297 or email sbourassa@safevoices.org.
