Alta Horizons explores ideas for Community Resource Center
Recently, Kris Shannon, co-chairperson of the Alta Horizons, visited three community resource centers in nearby Iowa towns, to gain information and ideas about the on-going effort to form a resource center for the Alta community. Although none of the three centers visited are exactly something we need in Alta, in the December Alta Horizons meeting at city hall, Kris shared several ideas that were gleaned from the visits. Some of the ideas received included: ways for community outreach and increasing awareness of services/needs within the community, “incentive programs” that encourage attendance at parenting classes (with points being earned toward receiving a necessity such as baby bed, diapers, car seat, etc.), reducing barriers such as transportation and consolidating agency locations to facilitate access to a variety of services, and also input regarding the the concept of expecting something in return from a service recipient back to the community, such as helping another person, taking a class, etc.
The Alta Horizons committee continues its discussion and dialog on ways a community resource center can become a viable part of the Alta community.