Our Mission
Community Voice Mail (CVM) helps people living in poverty, transition and homelessness rebuild their lives by connecting them to jobs, housing, information and hope. We do this by customizing and distributing communications technology via a national network of community-based services.
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Community
Voice Mail -
More than Voice Mail
March 2009
Welcome
to the eNewsletter of Community Voice Mail
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Dear Friends,
I’m pleased to share with you two new CVM reports.
The first is our annual snapshot of national federation data, which gives a glimpse of CVM’s reach and impact. Some of the highlights of our findings are listed below.
The second is our Participating Agency report which compiles the findings from a survey we conducted with our partner human service providers to measure the quality of CVM services.
These reports are the results of some of the methods we use to measure and, as necessary, refine our work. The data reveal that there are more than 11,000 children amidst the 40,000 adult CVM customers being served annually; that 83% of our users enroll on CVM to help them in their job search, and that 40% of our users report no financial resources.
While the data are important to evaluating our business, we were most clearly reminded of CVM's value-and what differentiates it from just any other voicemail-by this recent message from a CVM user in response to our recent public health broadcast campaign with the Centers for Disease Control:
“I’m just so happy to hear this message about the salmonella. Indeed, I didn’t know that CDC was in charge, that is awesome, and yes, this is very, very valuable. Once again, it’s this community—you’re just so awesome about it. The number one cause of homelessness, remember, is lack of community…” [CVM Client]
Our focus is to keep CVM services alive at the time when they are needed the most. Thank you for your part in this great community.
Sincerely,
Jenn Brandon
Executive Director
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2008 Highlights
In addition to connecting thousands of people to millions of voice mail messages, Community Voice Mail:
- Launched 6 new sites: Tulsa, Albuquerque, Ft. Lauderdale, Akron,
Cowlitz County (WA) and the Inland Empire (CA). - Sent 1,800 broadcast voice and email messages to clients (46% employment related).
- Conducted national client and agency surveys and learned that:
- 70% of clients find free phones to access CVM
- 20% of clients own cell phones
- Clients value CVM and want information about jobs, housing, and other topics via broadcast messaging.
- Agencies value the local host model and recognize CVM in alleviating burdens on staff and in supporting services to clients.
Reasons Clients Use CVM*
CVM clients typically enroll on CVM for multiple reasons and stay on CVM for an average of 6 months. The main reasons for using CVM include:
- 83% Employment
- 68% Housing
- 55% Social Services
- 53% Healthcare
- 19% Increasing Income (SSI, TANF, etc.)
- 30% Other (eg, safe communications, contact w/ family/friends)
* >100% due to more than one option per client (“select all that apply”)
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Community Voice Mail currently has 47 sites providing free voice mail and a critical tool to self sufficiency to 40,000 people each year through 2,000 agencies in 346 cities and towns nationwide.
Community Voice Mail National launches CVM in new communities, leads advocacy and public policy efforts, incorporates innovations in technology, and supports all existing CVM programs.
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Community
Voice Mail National
2901 Third Avenue, Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98121
www.cvm.org | 206.441.7872 | Fax 206.443.3755 |info@cvm.org
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