April 19, 2023: Mental health, counseling, substance abuse, and suicide prevention services are among growing needs in lower Westchester that were identified by a team of Pace University faculty researchers during a survey of community residents.
The study, commissioned by The Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe, was conducted by the Helene T. and Grant M. Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Pace University over an 18-month period that included interviews with area not-for-profits, service providers, and stakeholders.
"Taking a thorough look at community resources and comparing them to current needs goes a long way to ensuring that no person or group is overlooked and that The Community Fund is maximizing its reach, impact, and resources," said Rebecca Tekula, executive director of the Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and professor of public administration at Pace. "We are looking forward to continuing to work with The Community Fund to improve the lives of area residents."
The assessment identifies gaps or inadequacies in areas such as human services, health care, housing, public safety, daycare, and recreation, among other vital community needs. Findings were presented on March 29, 2023, at The Bronxville Public Library by Pace University faculty, who identified ways to use the results to inform the important work of The Community Fund as well as nonprofit agencies, community programs, and local school administrations.
Overall, survey results (PDF) show that while the three communities differ in priorities based on service categories, mental and physical health emerged as the biggest service gap area overall. Findings emerging from the interviews largely confirm the survey results. The most identified theme among all the interview participants is mental and emotional health, followed by diversity, equity and inclusion, and youth social and emotional programs.
"The Community Fund is committed to supporting critical social, health, and well-being programs that dramatically improve the lives of the people in our Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe Community," said Amy Rutter Korb, executive director, The Community Fund. "We are proud to have employed the expertise of Pace researchers to inform our work as well as the efforts of our community partners."
In 2021, The Community Fund selected experts at the Helene T. and Grant M. Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Pace University to conduct a survey of community members and analyze results.
During this 18-month partnership between The Community Fund and Pace University, Pace Public Administration and Wilson Center faculty and researchers developed an in-depth community survey and held interviews with select community members and leaders in the areas of public health, human services, business, nonprofits, and government. All responses were treated as confidential to ensure the greatest possible degree of candor.
"The interviews and analysis help us understand the ongoing needs of residents and project where program development and funding will have the greatest impact," said Gina Scutelnicu Todoran, department chair of public administration at Pace. "It is particularly rewarding to work with an organization like The Community Fund to translate research into practice as we share assessment results with community leaders."
Wilson Center and Public Administration faculty and graduate students have completed a variety of in-depth research projects and reports for local governments and community organizations across a variety of areas, including an assessment of K-12 learning programs for the Westchester Children's Association; the economic impact of the nonprofit sector in Westchester County; a community assessment of performance for the Port Chester Police Department; and Pace University's overall economic impact in New York State.
