I will send the pictures later and the prompts you can make up that are in the PDFI will send the demographic for my area also
community_treasure_hunt___final_paper.pdf
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Community Treasure Hunt Final Paper – Introduction
This an introduction to the Community Treasure Hunt Final Paper assignment. See the
syllabus for due dates and the assignment item for full submission information.
Though this assignment is not due until the second-to-last week, you need to be planning and
preparing for, and working on it throughout the course. You will need to use the template
(additional file labeled “Community Treasure Hunt – Final Paper Template”) to complete your
final document.
Note that in Week 2 of the course, you will submit a discussion board posting identifying the
community that you have chosen and discussing how you will study the community including
accessing relevant demographic information. It will be helpful to read all information below
prior to selecting your community and submitting the discussion posting in Week 2.
Carefully read through the prompt below, then be sure to address any questions or concerns early
in the course.
Prompt:
Throughout the semester, you are to have been studying a community (or a specific section of a
community if it is part of a large urban area, i.e., New York City or San Antonio, Texas) and the
services available to children and families in need. After gathering demographic data about the
community and immersing yourself in the community by walking through neighborhoods and
visiting social services agencies and other relevant community facilities (i.e., local church,
recreation center), you are to complete a ten page paper describing your findings.
Note: This assignment is time-consuming and you must complete many of the tasks during
regular working hours (Monday-Friday 9 AM to 5 PM). Because late assignments will not be
accepted, please plan your time wisely!
Your Tasks:
Use the steps below to plan and gather information to complete your paper:
First, define your community:
A community is comprised of a shared identity by a population. The shared identity is usually
comprised of ethnicity, race, nationality, or religious affiliation. It can also be defined by
geographic location or proximity to a prominent land mark (i.e. “near downtown”). You must
identify and describe the community (for example, its name and geographic location) and explain
how the community fits into the above definition. (Because you will be gathering demographic
information about your community, you may want to define boundaries of your community
either by city limits or one of more specific zip codes.)
Note that you will be looking at the community you have identified through the lens of a
community member who may need to access some of the available community services. (Since
you will be completing a documentary looking at the community through the lens of a
community member who is Latino/Hispanic, be sure that you incorporate relevant content as you
complete this assignment that you can use in your documentary.)
Second, follow the guidelines below and complete the following:
Use public transportation, not your own vehicle, unless there is no public
transportation available. (If that is the case, be sure you note this in your paper, as not
being able to access key resources easily if you don’t have your own transportation is an
important finding when studying your community.)
You are not to use resources that leverage your abilities above those a typical lowincome client might have.
Spend time in the community and gain a “street level” perspective . Start experiencing
the community by walking around several core blocks of the neighborhoods. As you
walk around the neighborhood, record your observations of the physical, social, cultural,
and economic environments you encounter. Snap photos to document as you go or make
a quick sketch of the residential areas, businesses, places of worship, parks, institutions,
residences, and parks.
Notice what people are doing in the area and how they respond to you and to each
other. Observe sounds, smells, and sights as you walk. Notice signage, the conditions of
streets, the availability of lighting, and the types of businesses and other organizations in
the area. What are the neighborhoods/homes like? Are they single family dwellings,
apartment complexes, trailer parks? Are there parks and other recreational areas nearby?
Churches, synagogues, mosques, or other religious entities? Schools? Businesses, and if
so, what kind? Are grocery stores with healthy produce easily accessible? How are the
homes, buildings, parks, and other facilities kept up?
Visit local businesses, a religious organization if it is accessible, and other entities
that will help give you a feel for the area. Be professional as you do so. Many
business people and church personnel are community members and welcome educating
people about their communities, but be aware that they are busy so don’t be overly
intrusive/be respectful of their time.
You may use your cell phone during this exercise to take pictures or videos (do not
photograph individuals without their permission and be sensitive to community members
when taking pictures of neighborhoods. You may also use your cell phone as a GPS
device if you are not sure of your location. Do not use it while you are completing this
exercise to text or make personal phone calls unless it is to let someone know where you
are (this is always a good idea when you go into an area you are unfamiliar with
regardless of its economic status).
Interview at least one resident from the community (you must find residents who you
do not already know). Ask what the person sees as the strengths of the community/why
she/he likes living there and what the person sees as the challenges. (This can be an
informal conversation – you do not need to record it or take photographs unless the
person prefers to do so.)
Identify and visit five social service agencies in the area and learn about their
services. You are to enter each of these agencies without an appointment. As you visit
the agencies, imagine that you are a client seeking services there (do not pretend you are
a client and misrepresent yourself to personnel at the agency; this is unethical – just make
mental notes about how you would feel as a client.) For example, you can observe where
the agency is located; whether it is accessible and easily identifiable; whether signage is
in English, Spanish or both; whether the front of the building and the waiting area are
welcoming; how the staff respond to visitors; and what types of materials are available
about the agency’s services.
Talk with at least one service provider at one of the agencies, asking the same
question you asked the community resident (community strengths and challenges).
Complete an in-depth follow-up interview with a program director or agency
director (not a direct practice social worker) from one of the agencies you identified (see
list of questions to ask in Community Treasure Hunt Paper Template). You will need to
contact that person and schedule an appointment, so be sure you allow enough time to
complete the interview before your assignment is due. You can send questions you want
to ask to the person in advance if you wish. Be sure you follow up with a thank you note
after the person has taken the time to meet with you.
Be safe and smart (don’t go to a strange area at night or when it is dark/raining, but
don’t be afraid!) If children can live in the community you are visiting, you need to be
able to visit it. If you must, take a friend to accompany you.
Gather relevant demographic information about your community. Review the
PowerPoint presentation included under Week 2 of the course materials that gives you
information about how to gather and display demographic information. Access relevant
information through Facts Finder/Census Bureau, such as population, ethnic/racial
breakdown, household income, average cost per home.
Lastly, your paper:
You must write a 10-page paper answering the specific questions listed in the Community
Treasure Hunt – Final Paper Template.(This file is located in the ‘Assignments’ folder within the
‘Getting Started’ area of the course.
Also refer to the Community Treasure Hunt Paper Rubric file in the ‘Rubrics’ folder in the
‘Getting Started’ area of the course.
…
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