Community Health and Development

Ballard Center

at Penn House

Alisa Medina

ABSC 690 Practicum Presentation

Christmas ‘77

Serving the Lawrence community since 1969

Mission—

Ballard Community Services is a non-

profit organization that provides a high quality, affordable

early education program and

essential basic life assistance for families and

individuals in need

Contributors to my Success at Penn House

Paul Youk Director of Human Service Programs &

practicum site supervisor

Linda Lassen Program Director of Penn House

John Koopman Manager of Penn House

Practicum Project

Assist Penn House with a technology upgrade within the organization Organize computer storage area & update

existing systems Assist in integrating a live database for the

Holiday Bureau adopt-a-family program Improve configuration of Penn House’s Local

Area Network (LAN) Provide access to computers for use by Penn

House clients and families

To which competency (or competencies) does it pertain?

Competency 4: Developing a Framework for change

My Project—In the belief of a growing technology gap prevalent within our low income communities, the Ballard Center developed a computer lab at Penn House to assist families accessing information about their communities for

example, jobs, a home, or reliable services. Competency 9: Enhancing Cultural Competence

Penn House encompasses the meaning of a culturally inclusive community, the volunteers are the clients. Their

involvement helps us integrate the most effective interventions and programs for our community.

Why is it an important contribution? By offering these resources to families they can begin

working on their own personal and family issues and make improvements by means of self education through the information provided through the internet.

Practicum Logic Model

Practicum Logic Model

Practicum Logic Model

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Practicum Logic Model

Practicum Logic Model

Practicum Logic Model

Practicum Logic Model

Practicum Logic Model

Practicum Logic Model

Practicum Product Outcome

The computer lab can be used by all visitors at Penn House and encourages learning about our communities.

This product enhances the capacity of the organization by offering a service that is vital to survival in today’s world

Christmas ‘77

Penn House Network Topology Penn House Network Topology

Practicum Successes and Opportunities

When speaking to a few community members about what barriers they feel are preventing them from sustaining an adequate lifestyle and technology seems to be the biggest answer.

If we can adapt alike computer labs and classes in other low income areas through other human services programs we can provide families with the technology they are completely unaware of or simply cannot afford.

Lessons LearnedUnderstanding how community programs work from the inside, like the Ballard Center, can help (or hinder) our community can be effective in teaching the value of volunteering and how to provide quality assistance.

To establish my own experiences as a source of education by helping others resolve their problems helped me understand the magnitude of the assistance needed in all communities and how easy anybody can actively contribute to their own community.

Future Goals My experience has offered me a new

meaning to volunteering, it was a new experience & beneficial to volunteer with members of the community whom are effected with current societal issues.

Having the opportunity to be interviewed by 6 News felt like a step towards the right kind of awareness needed within the community

Acknowledgements Paul Youk

Penn House’s staff and volunteers

Penn House’s clients

Jomella Watson-Thompson

Marvia Jones

http://www2.ljworld.com/videos/2010/nov/25/33532/