Dublin now has a single website to serve those in need.
DublinCAN.org, an online service that connects those in tough times to organizations around the Dublin City Schools District, is changing the way the community seeks help.
The website was created by Dublin Faith Community Partners and provides residents with a directory of organizations, from mental health counseling to legal services. It even offers homework help and tutoring programs for students.
DublinCAN’s website is available in four languages: English, Arabic, Chinese and Spanish. Under each listed service, the user is provided with information such as who to contact, the organization’s requirements and a description of its services.
The DFCP is made up of local clergy and social service community organization representatives, says Jean Griffith, DFCP member and executive director of Welcome Warehouse.
“We started meeting because we wanted to figure out how we could work together to serve people in need better than we were, and what opportunities were out there,” Griffith says. “This is the first big initiative that came out of this group.”
Despite it being relatively new, community members are already seeing the resource’s impact. DublinCAN is making the search for services seamless for both organizations and residents across Dublin.
Hollie Goldberg, DFCP member and director of older adult services and quality improvement at Syntero, was able to direct a client to Welcome Warehouse because she was familiar with DublinCAN. Through the site, she easily found an organization that would suit his needs.
“He was having trouble making ends meet and paying utility bills and that kind of thing,” Goldberg says. “By becoming involved with the Dublin Faith and DublinCAN, I knew so much more about (Welcome Warehouse). I was able to send Jean an email and say, ‘Do you think that this person would qualify?’ and she was able to quickly say, ‘Here’s what he needs to do.’”
Barbara Anderson, interfaith outreach facilitator at Dublin Community Church and DFCP member, can also speak on the benefit of DublinCAN to clients and organizations.
“It will make it easier for our ministers at our church and for our office administrator to better serve people who walk through our doors,” Anderson says. “This website will create a place where our ministers and office administrators can go and say, ‘OK, we may not be able to help you with this right now, here at this church, but here are some agencies that can.’”
This interaction between organizations, Goldberg says, is an important aspect of DublinCAN.
“That’s the kind of neighbor-helping-neighbor kind of thing that we’re trying to generate,” she says. “At least the person knows that, through DublinCAN, they’re going to find someone who will call them back, so I think that’s a very valuable part of our outreach.”
The biggest challenge the DFCP faces is spreading the word about DublinCAN to clients and organizations. DublinCAN encourages organizations throughout Dublin to add their services to the website.
“Really, it’s only as good as the content that’s on it,” Griffith says. “Our goal is to make this a lot bigger and include a lot more.”
Organizations of all kinds are welcome.
DublinCAN is the first directory of its kind in the City of Dublin. There are an estimated 24 organizations and 66 programs listed on the site. The DFCP was inspired by a similar website in Hilliard called Hilliard Helps. Feedback from Dublin residents showed the DFCP how needed DublinCAN was.
“I was amazed at how quickly the funds were realized to develop this website,” Goldberg says. “I think it just showed that there’s a lot of interest in Dublin civic groups.”
Amanda DePerro is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
Related Reads
City maintenance crews go the extra mile to serve residents
