TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – When people need a helping hand, they often need assistance in more than one area. But it also can be tough to ask for help – let alone, do it multiple times.
That’s where Neighbor Advocates come in. Tricia McCourt and Eric Culbertson from SENT Topeka visited Eye on NE Kansas to explain how their program works.
McCourt and Culbertson said they use the phrase ‘neighbor advocacy’ rather than ‘case management’ to stress that they are working alongside people during their low time, and not trying to manage them or take over their decision-making. Their approach is to build relationships in order to identify strengths and barriers, and develop a plan to reach goals.
Neighbor Advocates aren’t only for people in SENT’s southeast Topeka neighborhood or even just Shawnee Co. McCourt and Culbertson say the program is open to anyone.
Advocates help people access a range of services, including behavioral health, the Southside Wellness Clinic, the Southside Filling Station food pantry, parenting support, a mailbox program, transportation assistance and more.
To contact a Neighbor Advocate with SENT Topeka, call 785-783-2535 or visit SENTTopeka.com.