Manufacturing Group – Spring 2023
Group Project Two – Small Wins
CMST &230 Small Group Communication, Green River College
Group: Manufacturing
Group Members: Ally Lott, Emma Richardson, Tiana Epperson, Gurman Mahal, Michael Khammavongsa, Eric Seda, Roach Zhou
Problem Identification
Homelessness in Seattle has been a persistent and complex issue for many years. The city has experienced a significant increase in its homeless population, resulting in visible encampments and strained social services. According to a report by the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH) in 2020, an estimated 11,751 individuals experienced homelessness within King County, where Seattle is located. Additionally, a study by The Seattle Times found that Seattle had the third-largest homeless population in the United States in 2020. Factors contributing to homelessness in Seattle include a lack of affordable housing, income inequality, mental health issues, and addiction problems. Efforts to address the crisis involve a combination of government initiatives, such as the City of Seattle’s “Pathways Home” plan, and the work of non-governmental organizations like the Union Gospel Mission and Mary’s Place. Despite these efforts, the issue remains a pressing concern, highlighting the need for ongoing collaboration and innovative solutions to alleviate homelessness in Seattle.
Problem Analysis
Homelessness in Seattle has reached critical levels, presenting complex challenges for the city and its residents. The issue has been exacerbated by several key factors. Firstly, the lack of affordable housing has played a significant role in the rise of homelessness. Seattle has faced soaring housing costs, driven by a combination of rapid economic growth, a limited housing supply, and an influx of high-income earners. Secondly, income inequality has contributed to the homelessness crisis in Seattle. While the city has experienced significant economic prosperity, not all residents have benefitted equally. The wealth gap has widened, making it more challenging for low-income individuals to afford stable housing. The rising costs of living, coupled with stagnant wages for many workers, have made it increasingly difficult to maintain housing stability. Mental health issues and addiction problems also contribute to homelessness in Seattle. The lack of accessible and affordable mental health services along with limited substance abuse treatment options, has further compounded the issue. This problem affects many people, including all of us who live in or near Seattle. It impacts the rate of health issues and mental health problems we see in our community, which only weakens us as a society. To make our cities that we live in a better and safer place, each one of us in this group and in neighboring cities need to come together to address this problem, find possible solutions, and make a difference.
Solution Criteria
The solution criteria for the Small Wins group project is that it must be the achievement of a goal or task consistent with the definition of a group from our text. That is, the project includes three or more people interacting who both influence and are influenced by one another. (Rothwell, 2019, p. 24). The Small Wins project must include a community service component, with our group determining what is both our “community” and who is being “served.” However, the project must have an actionable activity that is conducted by all the members. Further, the project must be accomplished within the provided timeline of four weeks, along with required documentation and support as described in the assignment. Lastly, the project needs to be consistent with Green River College’s guidelines for the safety and security of students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Solution Suggestions
Addressing and alleviating homelessness in Seattle requires a comprehensive and step-by-step approach. First of all, establishing a small group (Manufacturing), dedicated to community outreach and engagement is important. The group can begin by collaborating with local shelters, churches, and community centers to identify individuals and families experiencing homelessness. By building relationships and providing support, the group can connect them with available resources and services. This can involve organizing regular outreach events where volunteers provide meals, hygiene kits, or other necessities to individuals experiencing homelessness. Volunteers can also offer support through mentoring, job training, or resume-building workshops, in addition to establishing partnerships with local service providers, such as food banks, healthcare clinics, and counseling centers, to ensure a coordinated approach. The group can work closely with these organizations to refer homeless individuals to the appropriate services and facilitate access to healthcare, mental health support, and other essential resources.
Solution Evaluation and Selection
As a collective, we reached a consensus that our achievable small victory would be to visit the Auburn Food Bank and assist in organizing and supplying food to the local homeless population. Initially, our plan involved distributing care packages containing essential items. However, upon considering the professor’s suggestions, we concluded that it would be safer to collaborate with an established organization that already catered to the community’s needs. This led us to choose the Auburn Food Bank, which proved to be an excellent choice. The organization welcomed us warmly and provided a straightforward volunteering process. We were able to begin our work immediately upon arrival. Their seamless procedures greatly facilitated our participation, influencing our decision to collaborate with the Auburn Food Bank for our community service aimed at achieving small wins.
Solution Implementation
Due to conflicting schedules, the group was unable to convene on May 26th. However, we were finally able to find a mutually convenient date last Thursday, which happened to be June 1st. We gathered at the Auburn Food Bank, where Roach had the opportunity to interact with many individuals who spoke with a Russian accent. According to the lead helper that day, these individuals were affected by the ongoing war and the discontinuation of COVID compensation funds. The demand for assistance from the food bank has consequently increased. To maximize our productivity, the group divided into two teams: Tiana and Gurman worked inside the bank, repacking food cans, while the rest of us handled the distribution and repackaging of frozen chicken and animal food. Overall, the group performed admirably during the field trip, and our efforts were gratefully acknowledged by the Food Bank Director.
Conclusion
In conclusion, homelessness is a very complex issue in Seattle and Washington as a whole. There are several different small wins that a group can attain in trying to assist the homeless community such as volunteering for local service providers, such as food banks, healthcare clinics, and counseling centers. Our group could not tackle the issue on a large scale, so we were thinking of handing out care packages as our small-wins solution. However, after suggestions from the professor, we decided to go to our local food bank to volunteer for two hours because it was safer for the group. We helped sort food and load food onto carts to be ready for clients that came in. The staff was nice, and we learned a lot about the services they provide. Services like the Auburn Food Bank may not completely alleviate homelessness but with the help of our small group (Manufacturing) and groups like us, small wins can be achieved.
References
City of Seattle (n.d.). “Homelessness Action Plan – Mayor | seattle.gov.” Seattle.gov, https://www.seattle.gov/mayor/one-seattle-initiatives/homelessness-action-plan. Accessed 5 June 2023.
Constantine, D. “Building a Pathway Home: King County’s Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.” king county.gov, 2018, https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/executive/documents/humanservices/housing/strategicplan.ashx. Accessed 5 June 2023.