A memo from the Lower Cape Outreach Council to Nauset Newcomers

The Lower Cape Outreach Council (LCOC) is considering implementing a program to provide family budget counseling to clients for whom this may be an important and much needed resource.  On the Cape, there are many individuals and families who have a difficult time meeting their financial obligations and sometimes find it necessary to seek out financial help.  It can become necessary for a variety of reasons:  

·      a sudden emergency that is beyond your capacity to handle (your car breaks down and you can’t get to work, your hot water heater bursts, illness or accident that keeps you from work for a period of time, a child is sick and requires your care—the list is endless),

·     you’re forced to move, you find an affordable place to rent but can’t afford the required expenses going in

·     unemployment that is unexpected

The Cape economy is seasonal and the service nature of the economy provides income that is often marginal.  Clients who come to LCOC often do so reluctantly because they are too proud to ask for help.  It is also the case, in some instances, that the skills that are necessary in managing a restricted family budget are not as sharp as they might be.  LCOC feels that it may well be important to be able to make family budget counseling available in some cases.  LCOC has a group of committed volunteer client advocates who field calls for assistance and respond to those calls with financial aid provided by LCOC.  It is this group of advocates who have the knowledge base about clients that will enable them to determine if family budget counseling is appropriate and then to make a referral.

LCOC is seeking volunteers to provide assistance in planning and implementing this venture.  You can help by being willing to be such a volunteer.  Thanks for taking the time to read and consider this.

For more information, call Robin Carroll at 508-255-4581 or email at robin@lcoutreach.org