How CAMs do it all
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WE KNOW THE CAMS DO A GREAT JOB …
BUT JUST HOW DO THEY DO
IT?
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Houston’s network of Community Assistance Ministries (CAMs) offer a
variety of basic needs services. With 20-plus years of experience in Houston,
the CAMs have fine-tuned their protocols to provide relief to families in need
with compassion and a minimum of bureaucracy, yet with the discipline needed to
live up to their commitment of good stewardship. While some of the details may
vary, the CAMs share the following principles:
- Stewardship and Integrity: CAMs model good
stewardship for clients. Nothing is wasted. The cost of service delivery is
minimal, and the work is done largely through trained volunteers whose efforts
are directed by skilled staff managers.
- Evidence of Need: People requesting help
must show evidence of need including a copy of a signed lease, a copy of an
eviction or late notice, a utility bill with current address, etc. They must
also have a photo ID. Hurricane survivors must have a FEMA ID number or be
willing to register with FEMA at the CAM.
 Verification of Need: Requests
for rent, utility and other financial assistance are verified with the landlord
or utility company. Waivers of late fees and interest due are negotiated by
ministry volunteers, thus reducing the total cost. For gasoline vouchers, a job
interview, employment or health care appointment is verified.
- Careful Payment Systems: CAMs do not issue
cash or checks to clients. Payments are made directly to landlords, utility
companies, gasoline companies and other vendors.
- Boundaries: Records of assistance are kept
and there are limits on the frequency and/or dollar amount granted per household
per year.
- Collaboration: By using the zip code area
service system, CAMs are able to assure that families are not traveling from one
ministry to another to access resources on a monthly basis.
- Referrals: CAMs invite government benefits
programs (food stamps, CHIP, Harris County Gold Card, IRS VITA programs, etc.)
to provide their enrollment services on site thereby helping families to access
benefits available to them while they are developing the ability to be
self-sufficient and reducing the requests for assistance to the CAMs.
Why these protocols work well: CAMs have
existing relationships with local landlords, utility companies, gasoline
stations and grocery stores. Many have agreements with stores for reduced-rate
prescriptions and reduced-rate or donated food or with gas stations that will
pump the gas and charge it to a credit card on file that is then billed directly
to the ministry. As a charity, the CAM does not pay sales tax on such purchases
and the funds can be stretched much further. Furthermore, the community
businesses are familiar with the local clients and can assure that there are no
fraudulent purchases such as using gasoline vouchers to buy cigarettes.
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