The following is a press release by The Caring Place
Georgetown, TX – In 2024, The Caring Place (TCP), a local nonprofit organization that assists families in financial crisis with basic needs, partnered with Luminosa Research to conduct a survey and focus groups with neighbors who received assistance. The project goal was to engage neighbors in giving TCP feedback about its services to inform decision-making and strategic direction, and drive program improvements. 590 clients completed the survey, and 34 participated in four focus groups. Almost all, 97%, of survey respondents said, “The financial assistance I got from the Caring Place helped me through a money crisis” and 94% said, “The Caring Place helped me during a hard time.”
One client said, “The Caring Place did everything it could to get me through my crisis. They also provided me with other programs that assisted me with finding additional financial support.” Another noted, “Very grateful that they provide us with food in difficult moments of our lives and they do it with a lot of love.”
In addition to positive comments, there were also constructive suggestions which included: • Improving communication, customer service, the application process, and access to services; ● Expanding navigation assistance and case management; and,
- Increasing availability of fresh produce and dairy, frozen proteins, and hygiene items
In response to the survey results, TCP’s board and staff have made several improvements including streamlining the application process, adding new programs including a free laundry program, improving communication, and initiating training to improve customer service. In 2025, The Caring Place will expand its case management program, offer greater navigation assistance, and provide customer service training for all staff and volunteers.
Erin Becnel, Programs and Services Director at The Caring Place, shares, “As a learning organization, The Caring Place continuously strives to meet the needs of those we serve. Hearing directly from our neighbors about their needs allows us to not only improve on current services, but also explore new opportunities. We are excited about the progress we have made and the opportunities we will soon offer.”
“We were delighted by the high response,” stated Executive Director Ginna O’Connor. “These numbers definitively show that The Caring Place meets its mission by providing essential assistance during times of crisis and challenging transitions in a ‘welcoming, respectful, and caring way.’ We look forward to regularly replicating the client survey to help us continuously improve.”
ABOUT THE CARING PLACE
Since 1985, The Caring Place has provided for the basic human needs of all people in our community in a welcoming, respectful and caring way. The Caring Place is a community-based, community supported, and community-serving organization in Georgetown, Texas. The Caring Place service area includes Georgetown, Andice, Bartlett, Florence, Granger, Jarrell, Jonah, Schwertner, Walburg, Weir, and the portion of Hutto within GISD. Learn more at caringplacetx.org
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