Imagine Greater Tucson 2010-11 Phase I Community Conversation and Survey Statements Related to The role non-profits and social service providers play in our community

1	A high density of environmental non-profits
2	An active non-profit community
3	An increase in social services
4	Arizona social services are limited, poor quality, not functional
5	Because there are a lot of activities and social services
6	Better social services
7	Better social services for children/more mentors
8	Duplication of city funding and non-profits. Overlapping= too much staff and less goes to intended recipients
9	Generally speaking, the citizens of Tucson have a generous, giving spirit. When need arises, troops rally. As a fund development professional especially concerned about social justice and social services, it is heart-warming to see this pervasive attitude even in a difficult economic atmosphere.
10	Governmaent service shrinkage can only be countered by the privatre sector and non-profit human service commitment.
11	Government had to step into the void in terms of providing social services and support because churches and other community groups have failed
12	Government investment in youth and non-profits
13	Greater access to social services for those who are in need.
14	I belong to several and run one environmental non-profit myself. These, I think, have a positive effect on Tucson
15	I like the Tucson has a robust local food movement, with its array of farmer's markets and local non-profits working on food justice issues. Eating healthy food is an investment in ourselves, the environment, and our economy. Further, it's an issue that can unite people with diverse interests and political views, be that over physical meals or as a general movement.
16	I love that Tucson supports over 2,000 non-profits, including everything from hospitals to community radio to museums. It is also a liberal community which suits my political nature.
17	I think IGT has tremendous potential if it can harness the ideas of a broad spectrum of community interests (neighborhoods, businesses, schools, churches, non-profits, and other groups) and forge them into a community vision for who and what we want to be.
18	I think Tucson is a great place to live, but as the jobs leave Tucson, or don't come to Tucson, then many of us can't survive. If we don't bring jobs then it becomes more expensive for all that live here to go on living. Many have to take unemployment and other social services just to survive. I'm not against helping others, but it becomes a draw to the government and those that are working and also the companies that are already here. That is why the quicker we can incentivise companies to bring good jobs to Tucson, the quicker we can recover. Jobs also bring dollars for funding projects such as parks, and arenas and open space. Funding is king for all projects in Tucson. So bring jobs. I see nothing wrong with a mine, that will bring billions of dollars to our community, especially since that is one of the 5 Cs of our state seal, 'COPPER' (and it's what the state seal is made of).
19	I work for Junior Achievement, a non-profit organization that enters into classrooms K-12. Along with other volunteers, I see the poor conditions that the teachers have to work with to prepare our students for their future.
20	I work for a non-profit organization, and collaborate with a broad base of government, business, nonprofit and individual community members. Because people living in Tucson are from all over the country and world, the Tucson community supports a host of innovative non-profit organizations, blending some of the best ideas found elsewhere to create locally based solutions. People are also willing to contribute their own time and expertise (in addition to dollars) to move things forward that they are passionate about seeing occur.
21	I work in the social service field. We are able to offer so many services to so many people. It makes Tucson a town that cares.
22	If social services can help families, those families could help other families. By being with successful families who learned how to deal with their crisis, as well as move into a safer place, this could possibly offer hope to those who
23	If you are in business and engage with some of the more forward thinking non-profits by joining their organizations you will find a lot of accommodation and doors opening more readily.
24	Increase awareness and care of people who are socially or economically deprived.
25	Increased social services and resources for the homeless population
26	Innovative people and non-profit organizations
27	Its easy to connect to people in business, civic and non-profit work. Its easy to meet people because they're generally open.
28	Lack of social services: We have a large transient population - people need resources in order to be helped. Our parks are a good example. Water management: we are a desert and I see many, many golf courses. Need I say more?
29	Larger tax base and more opportunities for fund raising for non-profits.
30	Lots of non-profits and community resources. Would like to see those groups/orgs working together for a common goal. Less new establishment and competition. Partnerships and collaborations are encouraged.
31	Many tasks/projects/events are done in a small way, if at all. The Rio Nuevo project seems to have lacked forward movement and appears to have collapsed into itself. I've seen an attitude in non-profit organizations and homeowners associations that is lacking in curiosity, ambition, cooperation, and accountability. This attitude makes it difficult to move forward with anything in Tucson.
32	Mental health and other social services
33	Merger and coalition building of the non-profit sector
34	More funding for education and social services; especially mental health
35	More funding for social services
36	Needs such as education, literacy, hunger, transportation, medical care, arts, the environment etc. are being addressed by so many different providers. A central site not only for accessing and dissiminating information but for community discussions would enrich the community.
37	Non-profit support
38	Our approach to those who are 'less fortunate'. I believe a healthy, successful community should take care of its citizenry. We need more effective, creative approaches to social service issues.
39	People here are open-minded and diverse. The strength of non-profit community, the yoga community, KXCI Community Radio, dance community, Day of the Dead, etc are indicators of this.
40	Sense of community (non-profits, local business, small town feel)
41	Since I run a non-profit to the homeless, we have many needs.
42	Social services
43	Strong support for non-profits
44	The city of Tucson needs to stop funding social services, which are reactive in nature, and instead invest in solid infrastructure (that includes repairing potholes) that will create both short-term and long-term jobs. Communities do gain reputations and a lot of it has to do with how they appear to visitors, residents and business owners/managers. Tucson is not an attractive city for anyone to invest in, more than anything because the city hasn't invested in itself.
45	The fact that so many non-profits can be sustained is a reflection on the social spirit of the people living here. It is important that I live amongst community minded folks.
46	The immediate response by citizens when there is a crisis anywhere. The ongoing work of the Community Food Bank and numerous non-profit organizations.
47	The pay scale is low here, but the cost of living isn't that much better to make it comparable. There are too many people homeless and wandering the streets and we should figure out a way to get all the social service agencies together in one location downtown as well as provide housing, job assistance, recreation, etc. in one location.
48	The university is only one educational opportunity in Tucson. There are many parks and hiking trails. There are non-profit opportunities that allow sharing of knowledge and there is a large community of elders with wisdom to share.
49	There are lots of non-profits supporting low income families, immigrants, and other marginalized groups. it's sad that many of them are having to cut back, but I appreciate how many of them are out there.
50	This is a growing need that is barely being met in some neighborhoods. I work in social services and there are seveal low-income neighborhoods which could greatly benefit from a community center or newer development in their areas. There should be incentives to build up run down areas rather than continuously pushing outwards, creating a larger doughnut effect.
51	Tragic low levels of literacy coupled with poverty and weak education funding leads to crime and high needs for social services and taxes.
52	Tucson is not necessarily that far off here-it's just that we could use more funding for non-profits that support the poor and hungry
53	Tucson is open to communities of all types. The LGBT community is welcome and appreciated by most, the hispanic community isn't outwardly discriminated against like in other parts of our state. The non-profits are working hard to build a strong community.
54	Tucson is very supportive of those in need. It is great to so many non-profit agencies like The Diaper Bank, Foodbank and many others. It's also great to see our local news stations and business offer support for example toy drives during the holidays.
55	Tucson seems to have more non-profit groups than any other city this size. I'm tired of the 'starving artist' mentality that these non-profits perpetuate 'poor me' (TPAC)
56	We are actually a community. We care about each other in general, know each other and are close. The non-profits play well together and collaborate in ways that does not exist in the rest of this state.
57	We have a great arts and culture community here. MOCA, The Poetry Center, the Center for Creative Photography, TMA, and other small non-profit organizations really make this a fun, unique community to be a part of.
58	We need new leadership in all sectors, business, non-profit and government. The current leaders are not visionary nor do they have the capacity to get people excited about change.
59	With Tucson's diversity and support for non-profits, we also have a vibrant and unique arts community. Artists, musicians, performers of all kinds, even chefs, help us celebrate our culture while bringing people together. I like having so many opportunities to be involved with my community.
60	With my Christian values, this is so important to me. Our family does a lot of volunteering and collecting for non-profits. I find the community very supportive.
61	Within our neighborhood we work towards community. We help one another by having fund raising events to promote the businesses and raise money for different needs within that community. With the conjunction of Barrio Hollywood Neighborhood Association, and Fiesta Grande, a 501c3 non-profit, members of the community work towards achieving a good climate which nurishes the community and allows for great things to happen. This is important to me because I want to live in a good community which allows for the success of all its members.