When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it created a storm of chaos and uncertainty that many people had never encountered before. Everyday life was suddenly disrupted due to social isolation from family, friends, and coworkers. Many industries shifted to remote work and students were sent home. Those unable to work remotely were left with no alternative but to continue working in environments where the virus was widespread, putting their health at serious risk.
A new kind of crisis
Before the pandemic, people might have met with local agencies to help them address a specific issue. Perhaps they were behind on rent or needed some extra food for the month. Post-pandemic, people are dealing with significantly more complex issues with no solution in sight. Struggles that people face include:
- Jobs lost.
- Loved ones killed by the virus.
- A greater array of mental health issues experienced, including anxiety, depression, and unresolved grief.
Add inflation to the mix and we see eviction rates soaring and food banks that can’t keep their shelves full due to surging demand.
Why can’t agencies keep up?
Staffing shortages are a primary reason agencies are struggling. According to a 2023 national nonprofit survey, 74 percent of organizations reported unfilled positions, particularly in frontline roles, such as case managers, shelter workers, and therapists. High burnout, low wages, and increased private-sector competition make recruitment harder than ever.
Pandemic-era relief funding that helped nonprofits during the pandemic has ended. Agencies are now expected to meet greater needs with fewer resources. The result? Longer waitlists, reduced services, and difficult decisions about who gets help—and who doesn’t.
Moving forward: What needs to change?
While this may seem like an issue for nonprofits, it affects the entire community. When the social service system fails, it has a negative impact on a community in ways that people often overlook. Schools, hospitals, and police departments are left to absorb the impact and serve their communities to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, the service may not be like it was before the pandemic.
To move forward, society should consider:
- Sustainable funding. We need funding that doesn’t just provide temporary relief in an emergency.
- Workforce investment. We need to develop new strategies for recruiting and retaining skilled professionals in the field.
- Curriculum modifications. Colleges and universities should update their curriculum to meet workforce demands. The healthcare sector faces a growing demand for qualified professionals; however, bureaucratic hurdles and capped enrollments make it challenging to fill these professions.
- Improved coordination. Nonprofit agencies, businesses, the government, and our communities need to address these complex challenges holistically.
- Forward thinking. We need to become better at preventing crises rather than just responding to them.
While social service agencies have shown incredible resilience since 2020, and have served their communities well, they need our help. As essential infrastructure, we need to ensure they’re able to be proactive rather than reactive. Because when they struggle, we all struggle.
Source
2024 State of the Non-profits report
