Building a community resources portal

Community Resources Information, Inc. (CRI) is currently developing a prototype community resources portal web site for the city of Worcester, Massachusetts (www.WorcesterResources.org), which is designed to serve as a central repository of information on community resources and benefit programs relevant to the needs of low and moderate-income residents living in and around the city of Worcester. Our prototype community resources portal will make it easier for both service providers and benefit recipients to find comprehensive information about the benefit programs are available in Worcester, where and how to apply for them, and what is necessary to qualify for the different programs available.

In the near future, CRI expects to develop a similar community resources portal for several other communities across the country. Each community resources portal will be tailored to a specific community and will provide in-depth coverage of a variety of benefit and social service programs available in that particular community.

The importance of a community resources portal

CRI believes that a compelling case can be made as to the need, in several cities across the country, for a community resources portal that describes vital resources and benefit programs available to aid low and moderate income families and individuals. The intent of our community resources portal is to make the process of finding out about and obtaining community resources and benefits much easier and more coherent than is now the case by creating a one central source of information on all available programs.

CRI expects the first group to make use of our community resources portal to be service providers, followed by the consumers of the benefits programs and services described on the web site, once issues of accessibility have been addressed. Our community resources portal can by no means replace an individual who helps link people in need to appropriate benefits and programs. However we envision our community resources portal facilitating these efforts, by helping consumers become more empowered. By using our community resources portal to obtain the information and application forms it has to offer, consumers of services will be more able to act for themselves. They will also be better prepared to work effectively with the limited number of service and benefit providers who can help them secure needed resources.

About Community Resources Information, Inc.

Community Resources Information, Inc. (CRI) is a non-profit, tax exempt 501 c (3) charitable organization whose principal mission is to develop and maintain community resources portal web sites which provide comprehensive information on community resources relevant to the needs of low and moderate income families and individuals of all ages. CRI also works to improve community based Internet access to the resources and information provided on our web sites as well as training in the use of computers for persons with low income.