A recently released report on social services in the city of Abbotsford shows a large number of unmet needs, and points to the potential for even more shortages in the near future.

Entitled 'Abbotsford Community: Social Services Research Project,' the report was compiled by three University College of the Fraser Valley students working with a steering committee. The students are Vicki Williams of Abbotsford, Benjamin Nolan of Mission, and Ewan Grassmuck of Abbotsford. The steering committee includes Glenn Hope from the United Way, Gloria Wolfson, director of the UCFV School of Social Work and Human Services, Thelma Schrock from Abbotsford Community Services, and Ron Van Wyk from MCC BC Employment and Community Development.

The research found that while the services in Abbotsford are diverse and of excellent quality, they are barely sufficient to meet the needs now.

The continuing cuts in social services have meant that agencies' budgets are diminished and their ability to serve people limited. The report found that the aging population is not well served in the community. The inability of the population to secure health care in a timely fashion also continues to be a pervasive problem. Addictions services is another area where resources are stretched and inadequate.

"This raises a red flag," says UCFV's Wolfson, "because the demand for services is expected to increase next spring when changes to provincial social assistance rules take effect. As of March 31, 2004, people who have been receiving B.C. Benefits for two consecutive years will either find their social assistance greatly reduced or find themselves cut off entirely."

The report gives indications of large gaps in Abbotsford's ability to deal with this kind of impact given that existing agencies are stretched beyond capacity already. There is a concern that many people desperately needing services will go without.

The report is part of a larger project that involved creating an inventory of Abbotsford Social Services. Funding for the project came from the Abbotsford Foundation and Human Resources Development Canada.

For more information on the report, contact Gloria Wolfson at 604-854-4560 or at gloria.wolfson@ucfv.ca by email. The research results are also available online at www.ucfv.ca/swhs/Glance.htm (click on Community Report). An updated, searchable Red book type of directory of social services in Abbotsford is also available through the same website.