On Tuesday, July 19, 2022, SERCAP partnered with the Total Life Center of Southside Virginia to conduct a Community Focus Group as a crucial part of SERCAP’s Biannual Community Needs Assessment process. SERCAP’s Biannual Community Needs Assessment allows SERCAP to obtain an accurate sense of what the rural communities in Virginia struggle with most. Conducting these conversations and collecting this information further enables SERCAP to develop a real understanding of what the actual community needs are, in the localities the agency serves.
The Community Focus Group meeting, held in the Town of Blackstone, began with a short presentation on the resources and services currently available in the community, and moved to a lively discussion about the biggest needs in the area. Eight (8) community members attended the Focus Group and actively participated in the community needs discussion. Some of the key needs identified by the community members, included: affordable housing, jobs and workforce development, better transportation, and youth programs and activities.
Without SERCAP understanding its communities’ needs, and offering its full slate of Programs and Services, many rural communities and low-to-moderate income (LMI) individuals would be forced to go without such necessities as reliable access to clean drinking water, indoor plumbing, safe and affordable housing, community development and infrastructure needs, water/wastewater infrastructure solutions, and more. It is important to remember that even in the US in the 21st Century; there are those who do not have reliable access to clean, safe drinking water, environmentally sound septic facilities, and affordable housing. In order to help SERCAP continue to provide assistance to both the individuals and communities in need, please consider making a donation to SERCAP’s Water Life! Fund!
Donate Today: https://sercap.networkforgood.com/ (opens new window)
*SERCAP’s Biannual Community Needs Assessment activities are supported by an annual Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS). Additionally, all of SERCAP’s programs in Virginia, are leveraged by a Budget Appropriation from the Virginia General Assembly, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD).