Red Bank Rotary Club Conducts Community Needs Assessment
On Thursday, June 28, the Rotary Club of Red Bank conducted a workshop for key community stakeholders to explore the most pressing needs of the Red Bank community. The agencies and organizations which participated included the First Baptist Church of Red Bank. JBJ Soul Kitchen, the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County, NJ Department of Human Services, Lunch Break, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, HABCore, the Salvation Army, the Parker Family Clinic, T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, St. Anthony Parish of Padua/St. Crispin Society, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern NJ, Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County and Monmouth Mental Health Association.
Held at the Parish Center of St. Anthony’s Church, the purpose of the 2022 Community Needs Assessment Workshop was to identify current strengths, needs, and ideas for future services in the community. Facilitated by Past Rotary District Governor and Red Bank Rotarian, Chuck Watson, the round robin discussion included needs which were highly prevalent, perhaps stretching the resources of organizations and needs which are unique, often “gap needs”, which may affect less people but can be highly significant.
The 35 leaders listed the needs they see and hear each day when their organizations and agencies provide outreach to the underserved. The list of needs was recorded and will be sorted and distributed by the Rotary Club to the participants. The participants will come back together using smaller focus groups based on services they currently provide or may be able to expand to include. The conversation in the focus groups will be guided to create a plan to address the 3 to 4 top issues identified. Once the plan is in place the Red Bank Rotary Club will observe the roll out and communicate the results to the group at large. The expected cycle of this project is 12 to 18 moths.
The Rotary Club of Red Bank, through it’s Foundation, is a 501(c)3 non-profit and is one of over 34,000 clubs worldwide.  Rotary, which now has 1.5 million members, was founded in 1905; the local Club was chartered in 1921.  Rotary areas of focus include promoting peace; fighting disease, particularly polio; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; supporting education; saving and enhancing the lives of mothers and children; growing economies; and protecting the environment.
The Rotary Club of Red Bank  meets in person on the 1st, 2nd and 4th  Thursdays, 12:00-1:30 PM, at the Navesink Country Club, Red Bank and on the 4th Thursday of the Month at 6 PM in locations to be announced.  For more information please visit the Red Bank Rotary website: www.RedBankRotary.org