Characteristics and Environments of a Human Service Organization

Unplanned and unwanted pregnancies are the realities in the lives of many men and women. Some organizations offer counseling for crisis, unwanted, and unplanned pregnancies as well as counseling for abortion, abortion recovery, adoption, and parenting. This paper will discuss a local organization that offers pregnancy related counseling, its mission and vision, explain the organization government and staffing. This paper will also discuss the organization’s key stakeholders and their influence over the organization as well as other contributing factors to the operation of the organization and its role in the community.

Organization

First Care Family Resources (FCFR) is a local organization with centers in Jamaica; it began in 1995 after two women merged their organizations together in efforts to further their cause. As a faith-based outreach organization, FCFR is committed to presenting the gospel of Christ to men and women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. All of FCFR’s staff professes Christ to be their Lord and Savior and commits to educating clients on the subjects of fetal development, abortion, and adoption. The organization commits to abstain from prejudice against the client’s age, sex, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and decisions in regards to the client’s pregnancy; the organization does not in any way advertise for or refer clients any abortion or adoption agencies. FCFR supports women with and throughout the duration of their pregnancy free of charge and educates the community on the needs expecting families face and the repercussions of abortion. The organization’s only goal is to educate women in reproductive health; they do not provide or refer any form of birth control, adoption, abortion, or any other medical care.

Governing Body, Staff, and Stakeholders

FCFR’s board of directors and staff is comprised of many local volunteers. Administrative officials are leaders in the community and include pastors, attorneys, accountants, OB/GYNs, nurses, and other professionals whose expertise may benefit and further the cause. The stakeholders of this organization are everyone who is involved including the clients. Without the donations of the stakeholders, FCFR would not exist; as a non-profit organization, FCFR relies solely on the financial contributions it receives to deliver services to clients. Volunteers are highly necessary to the organization and its cause; all positions within the organization, including the president, are on a volunteer basis. The clients are also a key stakeholder to FCFR because without the need presented by the clients the organization would have no one to assist and educate.

Community Collaborations, Marketing, and Public Relations

Community collaborations are strictly on a volunteer basis; physicians, nurses, attorneys, citizens, or anyone who is interested in providing assistance and education to clients within the community are accepted as long as they adhere to the organization’s Christian teachings. The main form of marketing for the organization is “word of mouth”. The organization is listed in the local newspaper and has a website but friends, schools, and churches recommend the majority of clients. Many churches do not agree with abortion and will quickly refer men and women to First Care, as it is commonly called within the community. Portraying the organization in a positive, non-judgmental manner is paramount to its success and to the likelihood that clients will continue to use the services provided. If members of the community begin to perceive the organization in a negative manner future donations of funds and volunteers may suffer and clients will not seek out their services in fear of judgment for their situation and the decisions they have and may possibly make.


Diversity

First Care accepts clients from all backgrounds without discrimination; helping men and women in need are the first and only priority and concern of the organization. Diversity within the staff is also present; however, certain restrictions do apply. Because the majority of the clients are women, many of the positions are filled with women; this helps the client to feel comfortable especially if the pregnancy is the result of an assault. Nurses, ultrasound techs, and many counselors are women; some counseling situations call for the counselors to be a married couple or a man. Another area where diversity in staff is limited is religion; this is a faith-based organization and the staff must adhere to the statements of faith as established by the organization. For example, the organization would not accept a Muslim, Jew, or Catholic as a volunteer even though they may agree with the organization’s stance on abortion. This is because these religions do not believe in accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior though the act of repentance of sins among other religious differences within the Statements of Faith.

Environmental Trends

The primary political trend the organization faces is the popularly and widely accepted view of abortion. Many feel that the woman should have the choice to make any decision she deems appropriate and necessary without restraint. Many teach that the preborn child is nothing more than tissue with some using the term “product of conception” or other variants. This may cause women to believe that their preborn baby does not begin to become a baby until later in the second trimester. With the failing economy, donations tend to dwindle and some may cease altogether; this is a major concern because the organization relies totally on donations as its source of income. Social trends that may be experienced are, again, the popularity of abortion. Many women feel that because they have had an abortion it is ok to pressure others into the same decision or that the woman will not be capable of reaching her education and career goals with a child. The organization is up-to-date with trends in technology; computers, websites, and other forms of technology are present within each of the organization’s centers and all staff are fluent in the use of these devices.

In summary, First Care Family Resource is a faith-based organization that provides clients with an up-to-date and non-judgmental education in reproductive health, abortion, and adoption services. They are clear and concise in their goals and positions as an educator to the public and not a provider or referral of services. Diversity is highly important to the organization; however, limitations are present in staffing based on the organization’s religious beliefs and the needs of the clients. The primary focus is on the health and well-being of the population served by the organization.

References

First care family resources . (2008). Retrieved from
http://www.firstcare.org/home/tabid/1084/Default.aspx


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