Building a community resources web site

Community Resources Information, Inc. (CRI) is currently developing a prototype community resources web site for the city of Worcester, Massachusetts (www.WorcesterResources.org), the third largest city in New England. In the near future, CRI expects to develop a similar community resources web site in several other communities across the country. Each community resources web site will be tailored to a specific community and will provide in-depth coverage of a variety of resources available in that community. CRI expects the first users to adopt such a web site within a community to be service providers, followed by the consumers of the benefits, programs, services, and community resources described on the web site, once issues of Internet accessibility by low income groups have been addressed.

The importance of a community resources web site

CRI believes that a compelling case can be made as to the need, in several cities across the country, for a community resources web site that describes vital resources and benefit programs available for the purpose of aiding low and moderate income families and individuals. The intent of our community resources web site 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 for residents of most communities. By using our community resources web site 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.

Our community resources web site can by no means replace an individual who helps link people in need to appropriate benefits and programs. However our community resources web site can facilitate these efforts, by helping consumers become more empowered, and serving as a central repository of information on community resources relevant to the needs of low and moderate-income residents. Service providers and case managers, in turn, may find that their use of the community resources web site helps them to be more productive as they can go to one location to obtain regularly updated information on a myriad of services and programs, thereby reducing the amount of time spent tracking down information to help their clients.

About Community Resources Information, Inc.

Community Resources Information, Inc. (CRI) is a not for profit, tax exempt 501 c (3) charitable organization whose principal mission is to develop and maintain community resources 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.