Community Stressors Contributing to the Selected Issue
Since the community issue, I have selected is the lack of transportation for low-income people inhabiting rural areas (which makes it impossible for them to apply for assistance in their local Social Services), the primary stress factor that is to be discussed is the lack of mobility. Evidence proves that people from rural areas generally live beyond the poverty line and do not have private means of transportation. The mobility stressor not only affects the ability to apply for financial support but also implies limited access to health care, social and human services (Shmool et al., 2015). As a result, another stressor emerges: The dwellers of rural areas develop dangerous health conditions, including both mental and physical disorders and disabilities. Due to the lack of financial resources as well as the opportunity to file an application to social organizations, the community is also suffering from inadequate living conditions and malnutrition–the two stress factors aggravating health problems (Shameem, Momtaz, & Rauscher, 2014).
Lacking Resources
First and foremost, the community is short of financial resources that would help them solve the problem with individual transport. Moreover, an increased level of income would improve the living conditions and eliminate the issue of malnutrition, which exacerbates diseases. Another essential resource that is currently lacking is home care service (including adult day care) as well as counseling for those who are unable to go to the city due to health problems. Finally, it is also evident that people in rural areas need human resources since the number of social workers that could render help in program participation is very small (Wacker, & Roberto, 2013).
I believe that the proposed community program will help remove all the enumerated stress factors since it will establish the connection between the city and the rural area by providing transportation. The community will have better access to health care and social services while social workers will have the means to track the improvement of the community life.
References
Shameem, M. I. M., Momtaz, S., & Rauscher, R. (2014). Vulnerability of rural livelihoods to multiple stressors: A case study from the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. Ocean & Coastal Management, 102(1), 79-87.
Shmool, J. L., Yonas, M. A., Newman, O. D., Kubzansky, L. D., Joseph, E., Parks, A.,… Clougherty, J. E. (2015). Identifying perceived neighborhood stressors across diverse communities in New York city. American Journal of Community Psychology, 56(1-2), 145-155.
Wacker, R. R., & Roberto, K. A. (2013). Community resources for older adults: Programs and services in an era of change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.