The quandary: A free swim day was scheduled, but Mom didn’t have money to buy sunscreen for her child, eager to participate in the aquatic adventure. Where to turn? MASTERSON SAID four to five calls a week were being fielded by connectors, with more expected as the program’s presence becomes better known.
Two months ago Thrive Allen County launched a program that came to the woman’s rescue. Allen County Connectors answers questions, finds solutions and makes a difference.
In this woman’s particular case, she was told where a fresh shipment of sunscreen, free for the asking, was available.
Georgia Masterson, a Thrive operative and one of five who field calls as connectors, gave Iola Rotarians the skinny on the program Thursday.
Also involved are Angela Murphy, county 911 director, Michelle Meiwes, Hope Unlimited, Susan Booth, MDR Insurance, and LaDonna Krone, Humboldt Food Pantry. A common phone number, 620-228-5110, reaches the connectors from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. At their disposal is an ever-growing list of where they can find help for any number of concerns.
“We’re not a resource ourselves,” Booth said, but “we know who to call and try to connect the caller with the right people.” The connection is made in reverse order, with connectors identifying the resource and then having whoever may respond call the person needing help.
From the side of assistance, anyone representing an organization that might be helpful in any of many situations is urged to contact Allen County Connectors or by email at connectors@thriveallencounty.org.
The program is funded by a grant secured by Thrive’s John Robertson. Financing mainly compensates employers of connectors, who when called usually have to take time from their work-a-day duties.
She gave other examples of assistance, including help with utility and rent bills, which, Masterson noted, is not abundant.
“We also get calls for gas money to get to medical appointments,” she said.
A recent call had to do was a person whose home wasn’t air-conditioned. “We found them a fan,” Masterson was happy to report.
Connectors serve as links to local services
