OVERVIEW
A multiculturally oriented human services professional must be aware of local cultural
opportunities and supports to enhance and increase the empathetic and practical support given to
clients. The purpose of this assignment is to encourage you to explore the area where you live to
locate local resources and associated services and supports, as well as the particular needs of
local clients, which will vary by student location. This assignment will help students identify
strengths and areas for growth. Understanding local, relevant cultural needs and resources can
help to identify and become aware of potential bias and limitations. When we are prepared to
help clients from various cultural backgrounds, this increases self-confidence, and confidence
clients have in us as informed, multiculturally oriented professionals.
INSTRUCTIONS
Write a 3-5 page paper (not counting the title page and reference page) describing 3 local
resources with obvious multicultural orientation. The local resources must be agencies with
physical buildings, not solely online sources. You do not need to write an abstract. Follow
current APA professional style standards. You may use Scripture as well (see the Writing Style
Guide tab for how to cite and reference Bible versions that you quote).
Begin with a brief paper introduction before going to your first section/heading (do not use a
heading for the introduction). In this opening paragraph, state and describe the town/city you live
in, including statistics on the cultural makeup (cite and reference the source used for this
information). Include population demographics for the town or city you live in (for example,
how many people live in your town, age demographics, racial composition, religion, economics,
crime rate, education, and any other significant information). What is important to know about
the city/town you live in?
Use a heading for each of the 3 local resources. Do not use any additional subheadings; use
paragraphs to separate main ideas. As you describe each local resource and the cultural need it
best meets, give the address, explain the referral or application process, costs (use a sliding pay
scale, take insurance, for example), when the agency was founded, and details of the services
provided. Cite and reference the websites or documents used in describing the services of 3 local
cultural resources.
Choose 3 different agencies that meet 3 different needs, rather than all three agencies addressing
the same social services need. These agencies must have obvious, specific multicultural
orientation. For example, a mental health counseling agency does not meet this requirement;
however, a counselor fluent in American Sign Language would meet this requirement and be an
excellent resource to be aware of. If you note that there is a large Latin American population
where you live, for example, aim to find a human services resource that includes Spanish
speaking services.
HSCO 509
The resources should be actual buildings with practical supports. If you live in a small town with
few resources, it is fine to locate supports that are close by. This is an opportunity to learn new
information regarding resources where you live. Do not choose your own current or previous
workplace. All work must be original; do not resubmit work you have submitted for this or
another class. Some ideas for multiculturally oriented resources include different languages
offered, faith-based, focused on veterans, and immigrants. If you have a question about a
resource, reach out to your professor.
Use a heading for the Conclusion. In the conclusion section of your paper, reflect on your
analysis of the multicultural orientation of the area you live in: what needs did you identify, how
good of a job do you think your hometown/city is doing, and what areas do you see yourself
needing to learn more about and grow in. Because you are writing about your personal response
in the Conclusion, it is appropriate to use first person pronouns (I, me, my, for example) in this
final section.
I live in Harrisonburg, Virginia
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