About

• What inspired the telephone prompt system to share information about poverty?

  Working for United Way 211 in 2022 and 2023 as a Housing Crisis Specialist and Informational Referral Specialist, I learned profound ways to further connect people with resources. There, I learned how information and support could be provided over the phone, through text messaging, and email.

  While working for the Department of Social Services in 2023, I noticed the state recognize areas of poverty that needed to be addressed.

  These are the subtopics listed in my telephone prompt system:

  • Economic Stability
  • Healthcare Access and Quality
  • Crime and Violence
  • Education Access and Quality
  • Environmental Factors
  • Lack of Food, Especially of Nutritional Value
  • Housing

• What influenced the website?

  The website came to mind while reviewing the accessibility options for hearing impaired callers.

  Making the prompts visible through the website also provides callers with a read-along option.

• What influenced the “Contribute” section?

  Substitute teaching brought to light an area I didn’t know still existed.

  I understand students being mandated to attend school. What I didn’t understand is how any district doesn’t offer free breakfast and lunch to ALL students.

  That opened my eyes to how finances can be a double edged sword in students receiving, free, reduced, or paying full price.

  They inspired me to create the “Contribute” page in support of food accessibility for youth and young adults.