Resource Detectives Program Marks One-Year Anniversary
60,000 Resources Have Been Identified and More Are Still to be Discovered!
The Resource Detectives program, developed by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), provides a virtual volunteer opportunity for anyone interested in giving back to the community but unable to do so in the traditional sense of working on-site.
During its first year the Resource Detectives program energized a group of 4,000 “detectives” to locate and report over 60,000 resources for the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. Areas of focus include: disability programs, employment, financial assistance, health and wellness, housing information, legal assistance, social security, and many more. The information gathered is used by MSAA’s Helpline staff in assisting individuals affected by MS throughout the country.
Entering its second year, the Resource Detectives program will begin a key initiative – the recruitment of five MS centers to pilot a program which will grant them remote access to the database. "We will form a partnership with several MS centers across the country and give each center access to the Resource Detectives database, yielding thousands of valuable sources of information to their clients,” explains Bob Rapp, MSAA’s vice president of programs and evaluation. Mr. Rapp continues, "In order to maintain and grow our database, MSAA needs to increase the number of volunteers as well as the number of resources entered into the database. Without our detectives working so hard to gather this valuable wealth of information, the program would not be the same.”
To find out how you can help the Resource Detectives program, please visit http://support.mymsaa.org/detectives. If you do not have internet access, please contact Resource Detectives Manager Bonnie Yares at (800) 532-7667, extension 132. The Resource Detectives program is made possible through a generous grant from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
For more information on MSAA or the Resource Detectives program, please contact Amanda Bednar at (800) 532-7667, extension 122 or via email at abednar@mymsaa.org.
The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is a national nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis. MSAA offers programs and services including a toll-free bilingual Helpline (1-800-532-7667); support groups; equipment ranging from grab bars to wheelchairs; MRI funding and insurance advocacy; educational literature including a quarterly magazine, The Motivator; regional events and activities; MSi website technology program featuring educational videos; Lending Library; cooling program for heat-sensitive individuals; and more.
