While creating my booklet for addressing food insecurity among seniors in Chesapeake and South Norfolk, I found it important to engage with the community and community-based initiatives that address the needs of the local community. One experience was my participation in a Community Salon Day, hosted by Buffalow Family & Friends, where students from the local career center offered discounted or free hair and nail services to the community.
Observing the Community Impact
To better understand the impact of the community-based initiatives hosted by Buffalow Family & Friends, I generated surveys for both program users and program volunteers. The surveys were generated with the aim of capturing the experiences of those receiving the services as well as the perspectives of the volunteers. I designed questions that would gain insight into the satisfaction levels and areas for improvement. These surveys were critical in gathering feedback that would help better understand the impact of the organization and increase their engagement from stakeholders.
Data Collection and Transcription
After the event, I collected the completed surveys and began the process of qualitative coding. I transcribed the responses and reviewed the responses to identify common themes and insights. I created a format that could be integrated into the booklet later on.
Learning About the Organization and Its Services
By participating in the Community Salon Day, I was also provided with an opportunity to learn more about Buffalow Family & Friends organization history and its wide range of services and programs. They consistently host a Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Community Salon Day, Mobile Pantry service, Community Food Pantry, host Back to School events, and a Warm and Fuzzy Christmas. I also took the time to meet with the co-founder, Nischelle Bufalow, volunteers, and families that were positively impacted by the work of BFF.
Incorporating the Experience into the Booklet
The event demonstrated how community-based initiatives could bring people together and create positive outcomes. By incorporating this experience into the booklet, it was my goal to highlight the importance of community support, emphasizing that addressing public health issues requires a holistic approach involving collaboration and service.
