Video Chat offers opportunities to connect and communicate face-to-face. This week’s Coffee with Carrie outlines a few applications to increase non-profit engagement through video chat.
Mentoring
Time can be the biggest barrier for a mentor/mentee relationship to be established and thrive. One example used in this video is Big Brothers, Big Sisters. There are agreed upon and specified meet-ups. Even if all the meetings over the years can be kept, there are times when a mentee may need some more one-on-one time. Video chat allows for a connection despite time and geographic constraints to the relationship. It would also allow a mentor to clue into a mentees body language and better identify their state of mind. More thing can be addressed and impact can be made immediately in cases that are more urgent. Furthermore, any feedback can be taken from both mentor and mentee to track progress and keep historical records.
Places of Worship
With everyone’s busy schedules, even an engaged attendee averages 1.8 visits per month at their place of worship. Suppose someone needs guidance and more of a one on one relationship with a religious leader. This is especially true for someone navigating a crisis, undergoing counseling, or preparing for marriage. Video Chat allows for these leaders to remain centralized yet also more widely available. Religious leaders can engage with someone who may not be able to travel, say for instance, if they are caring for an ailing loved one. But in that time of need may require much more support than a weekly check-in. A leader can increase non-profit engagement through video chat while connecting and making a difference.
Case Management, Outreach, and Prevention
For more serious cases, faster interventions can be made with suicide prevention, self-harm, and/or bullying outreach. For a younger demographic who are at a higher risk, video chat would offer another lifeline for connection. If there were a serious case and someone were in need, a younger person would not be as likely to call a 1800 number. These children and teens (Generation Z) are more comfortable face-timing than talking on a phone. Moreover, this method of communication can allow for a peer to peer connection for someone who is otherwise less likely to reach out to someone in person.
