Breaking Barriers: Bridging Resource Gaps in Low-Income Communities

Low-income individuals often struggle with access to resources. CHISPA, which serves low-income individuals in Monterey County and surrounding areas, aims to remove this barrier through its community services department. CHISPA worked to address the resource barrier by implementing a resource fair for its population of low-income individuals, families, and seniors. CHISPA’s residents were invited to come out, explore, and create connections with community resources during a resource fair. The expected outcome was for residents gaining new knowledge and the opportunity to use resources there or in the future. Results were measured through surveys which showed success and interest in the organizations. The resource fair met and exceeded its expected outcomes, with plenty of individuals expressing interest in alternative education. CHISPA found, through surveys, that residents are interested in hosting something similar again with a different variety of organizations. A recommendation for CHISPA would be to continue hosting small resource fairs throughout the year at different locations or bring out the agencies to do specialized, individual workshops.