Sociology Case

While all of these target populations are of the utmost importance unemployment has become a rising problem in Colorado and the United States. According to a poll by Gallup, 39% of Americans think that the most important problem facing the American people is unemployment. While the unemployment rate in Colorado has remained steady the last couple of months (Department of Labor & Employment, 2011), many "middle class" families still have to search for resources in places that they never though they would.

With the unemployment rate at 8.0% in Colorado and -4500 jobs made from October 2011 to November 2011 (Department of Labor & Employment, 2011) the Colorado people are needing help more now than in the past. The population needs help in all areas of human services and I feel as though many people are embarrassed to ask for help. Most of these families have never been in this position and have held jobs most of their lives. Members of the family will have to deal with the reduced standard of living and must become humble and ask for the assistance they may need. Many will have to ask for help with food assistance, rental help, and psychological help. They are several wonderful programs that help people that need assistance, but it is hard for them to keep up with the higher number of people coming in for assistance.

The OUR Center is a local non-profit organization that helps people in their time of need. Started in 1986 (after two non-profits were forced to shut down), there main mission is to help people that are in financial crisis and provide them with the resources to become financially stable again. They offer shelter, housing assistance, rent and utility assistance, hot meals, groceries, etc (OUR Center, 2011). While this may seem like an enormous help, the OUR Center has been overwhelmed with the amount of clients that are coming in for assistance. With the New Year starting they have seen an increase in demand and a decrease in contributions (OUR Center, 2011). Executive Director of the OUR Center said, "In the 12 years I've worked at the OUR Center, I've never seen this level of need." To increase their contributions and continue to provide assistance the OUR Center has implemented several events to increase donations. They hold silent auctions, golf tournaments, and search for donations from local farmers. The OUR Center has been a tremendous help to the community and strives to better the lives of the "middle class" and the homelessness. With the many obstacles; the rise in clients, less donations, and not as much funds donated the OUR Center still comes up with ways to help those in need, in several different areas.

Statistics also show that unemployed individuals are more likely to become depressed and can cause the unemployed person to remain without a job for a longer time due to this psychological disease (Jefferies, 2011). Unemployed