Our Objectives
Our objectives reflect the real needs of Sontek residents. We work to create a supportive, connected and self-reliant community where everyone has access to opportunities and resources for a better life.
Our Objectives
Make Community Support Easier to Access
To provide an approachable point of contact where Sontek residents can discuss their circumstances, identify their needs and strengths, receive appropriate guidance, explore available options and develop practical plans for addressing social, educational, employment, family and everyday challenges.
Build a Strong Local Referral Network
To connect residents with appropriate healthcare providers, advocates and legal services, financial guidance, housing resources, employment opportunities, transportation services, childcare providers, educational institutions, government services and other community resources, while helping residents understand how to access and use those services.
Support Youth Development and Positive Participation
To create opportunities for young people through life-skills development, education support, career preparation, leadership activities, volunteering, sports, cultural activities, awareness programs and community participation, helping them become responsible and active members of society.
Support Residents Requiring Additional Assistance
To identify and support older residents, low-income households, persons with disabilities, vulnerable individuals and families, and people experiencing temporary social or economic difficulties, and connect them with appropriate community or professional resources.
Improve Access to Social Assistance and Benefits
To help eligible residents understand and navigate available government allowances, pensions, disability support, elderly assistance, widow allowances and other social-support programs, including guidance on eligibility requirements and where appropriate applications should be made.
Provide Structured Resident Support and Follow-Up
To maintain an organized process of initial information gathering, needs and skills assessment, support planning, program selection, referrals, follow-up and progress review, so that assistance does not necessarily end after the first interaction.
Develop Practical Community Programs
To organize and deliver programs based on identified local needs, including life-skills workshops, youth services, educational activities, employment-readiness initiatives, community awareness programs, family-support activities, health initiatives and other social and community development programs.
Strengthen Emergency and Crisis Support
To develop community capacity to respond during flooding, fire, displacement, severe weather, public-health emergencies, financial hardship and other local crises through volunteer mobilization, information sharing, relief coordination, referrals, temporary assistance and connections with appropriate authorities and service providers.
Strengthen Cooperation Between Local Service Providers
To maintain working relationships with healthcare providers, social-service organizations, educational institutions, advocates, childcare providers, local businesses, community leaders and relevant government or non-government organizations, allowing information, referrals and appropriate follow-up to be coordinated more effectively.
Mobilize and Develop Community Volunteers
To recruit, orient, train, coordinate and supervise volunteers for activities involving community outreach, health awareness, education, youth development, emergency response, environmental initiatives, sports, cultural activities and other community programs.
Encourage Residents to Participate in Their Own Development
To ensure that residents are not viewed simply as recipients of assistance. YASS aims to help people understand their strengths, consider possible solutions, make informed choices and participate in developing realistic plans of action for themselves, their families and their community.
Monitor Progress and Improve Support
To maintain appropriate follow-up with residents participating in YASS programs or receiving coordinated support, discuss difficulties they encounter, review progress and determine whether additional assistance, another referral or a different community resource may be appropriate.
Evaluate Community Programs
To collect attendance information, resident feedback, referral outcomes, volunteer participation records, program statistics and other appropriate non-identifying information to understand whether programs are meeting community needs and where improvements are required.
Understand Sontek's Changing Needs
To conduct community surveys, consultations, feedback activities and basic research so that YASS can better understand changes in education, employment, healthcare access, housing, transportation, social support, youth issues and other community concerns and plan future activities accordingly.
Develop an Accessible Community Information Network
To make useful local information easier to find through Yasontec, including information about healthcare, education, religious institutions, local businesses, skilled workers, repair and construction services, transportation, community events, emergency contacts, employment opportunities and other useful local resources.
Maintain Responsible Program and Volunteer Management
To coordinate community activities through clear responsibilities, work assignments, appropriate supervision, record keeping and accountability, including the coordination of community support personnel, program assistants, outreach workers and volunteers where applicable.
Build a More Connected and Self-Reliant Sontek
To strengthen cooperation among residents, volunteers, professionals, institutions and community organizations to create a Sontek where local problems can be identified earlier, resources can be located more easily and people know where to seek appropriate support.
“Our objective is not simply to provide assistance, but to build a community where residents are informed, connected, supported and empowered to participate in creating a stronger Sontek.”