This research project is a very quick internet-based assignment that will allow you to explore what organizations or agencies are doing in your community.
The point of this assignment is to give you an opportunity to research and analyze the contributions of organizations in the Bay area (or in your neighborhood – some of you live in other places) that work towards dealing with or eliminating the social problems that we have (and will) discuss.
1. Pick one organization that you feel has contributed to either serving or empowering (or both) people in our community. Write about what you pick.
2. Once you’ve completed your research on an organization or agency in your community that is working to help deal with a social problem, your next step is to share your research with your classmates. IN THE DISCUSSION FORUM LABELED ‘ORGANIZATION SUMMARIES’, post an outline or summary of your key findings (bullet points or paragraphs – your choice). You will want to include the following:
• Name & location of organization/agency
• Specific social problem that the organization/agency addresses
• Mission statement (most have an official statement, if not then post their purpose/goals)
• Clientele served
• Any other background info (length of time this org has been in existence, # of staff, # of volunteers, anything else that you deem important)
• Your perspective, as a sociologist , of the organization in general (is it necessary? efficient? well-funded?fulfilling its mission?general reaction to this assigment?).
• This is not an exhaustive list, so be creative and write what you think will be the most beneficial to others. Part of focusing on real organizations and agencies in the community is to share knowledge about available resources. At some point in your life, it is very likely that having this knowledge will come in handy to you or someone you know.