Research a selected local, national, or global nonprofit organization or government agency to determine how it contributes to public health and safety improvements, promotes equal opportunity, and improves the quality of life within the community. Submit your findings in a 3–5 page report.
Many organizations work to better local and global communities’ quality of life and promote health and safety in times of crisis. As public health and safety advocates, nurses must be cognizant of how such organizations help certain populations. As change agents, nurses must be aware of factors that impact the organization and the services that it offers. Familiarity with these organizations enables the nurse to offer assistance as a volunteer and source of referral.
This assessment provides an opportunity for you gain insight into the mission, vision, and operations of a community or public health resources organization from the list provided.
Preparation
As you begin to prepare this assessment, it would be an excellent choice to complete the Nonprofit Organizations and Community Health activity to gain insight into promoting equal opportunity and improving the quality of life in a community. The information gained from completing this activity will help you succeed with the assessment.
After completing this activity, select one of the local, national, or global nonprofit organizations or government agencies presented in the Assessment 2 Supplement: Community Resources [PDF].
You may find the organization’s website in the Community Organizations reading list or in the Assessment 2 Supplement: Community Resources [PDF].
Scenario
You are interested in expanding your role as a nurse and are considering working in an area where you can promote equal opportunity and improve the quality of life in your local or global community. You are aware of several nonprofit organizations and government agencies whose work contributes to this effort in some way. You are particularly interested in one of these organizations but would like to know more about its contribution to public health and safety improvement. You would also like to report the results of your research in a scholarly paper that you could submit for publication.
Instructions
Research a selected local, national, or global nonprofit organization or government agency from the document provided. Determine how the organization or agency contributes to public health and safety improvements, promotes equal opportunity, and improves the quality of life within the community. Submit your findings in a 3–5 page report.
The requirements outlined below correspond to the grading criteria in the scoring guide, so be sure to address each point. Read the performance-level descriptions in the scoring guide for each criterion to see how your work will be assessed.
• Explain how an organization’s mission and vision enable it to contribute to public health and safety improvements.
o Provide examples of ways a local and/or global initiative supports the mission and vision and promotes public health and safety.
• Evaluate an organization’s ability to promote equal opportunity and improve the quality of life in a community.
o Consider the effects of social, cultural, economic, and physical barriers.
o Be sure to go beyond simply describing what the organization does in these areas but evaluating the impact.
• Assess the impact of funding sources, policy, and legislation on an organization’s service delivery.
o Consider the potential implications of funding decisions, policy, and legislation for individuals, families, and aggregates within the community.
o Remember to actually include the policies, legislation, and funding avenues for your chosen organization.
• Explain how an organization’s work impacts the health and/or safety needs of a local community.
o Consider how nurses might become involved with the organization.
o How are nurses involved within this organization?
Introduction
In the pursuit of expanding my role as a nurse and contributing to community well-being, I have researched the American Red Cross (ARC), a national and global nonprofit organization. This report analyzes how the ARC contributes to public health and safety improvements, promotes equal opportunity, and enhances the quality of life within communities.
Mission and Vision: Enabling Public Health and Safety Improvements
The American Red Cross’s mission is to “prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.” Its vision is to be “the most trusted organization leading humanitarian services to build stronger, safer communities.” These guiding principles directly translate into tangible public health and safety improvements.
Promoting Equal Opportunity and Improving Quality of Life
The ARC strives to promote equal opportunity and improve the quality of life for all individuals, regardless of their background.
Impact of Funding Sources, Policy, and Legislation
The ARC relies on a combination of funding sources, including donations, grants, and government contracts. These funding sources influence the organization’s service delivery.
Impact on Local Community Health and Safety Needs
The ARC plays a vital role in meeting the health and safety needs of local communities.
Conclusion
The American Red Cross is a vital organization that contributes significantly to public health and safety improvements, promotes equal opportunity, and enhances the quality of life within communities. By understanding the organization’s mission, vision, and operations, nurses can effectively collaborate with the ARC to address community needs and promote well-being