SDC Foundation announces CAN-DO-NET up and running

The Silver Dollar City Foundation has a CAN-DO attitude when it comes to matching the needs of local residents with area resources.

The foundation recently introduced the Community Asset Network-Developing Opportunities network, or CAN-DO-NET, at

www.can-do-net.com

on the World Wide Web, according to a news release from Silver Dollar City.

CAN-DO-NET is a Web page designed to provide information about support services available, instantly and free-of-charge, for residents of Stone and Taney counties. Resources available range from emergency food services to literacy tutors.

The project began in May, when the foundation sent surveys to social service agencies, volunteer organizations, businesses, churches, schools and not-for-profit organizations within the Tri-Lakes region, the release stated. Information provided through the surveys was entered into a database.

As the project progressed, the foundation developed an affiliation with Community Connection, whose Web site, at

www.communityconnection.org,

offers a statewide database of community services, agencies, associations and programs.

This project of the University of Missouri Outreach and Extension, the Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis, Missouri Express and ParentLink extends the information available to CAN-DO-NET users through Web site links, while allowing CAN-DO-NET to focus on its collective primary concern, the resources and needs within Stone and Taney counties.

"CAN-DO-NET is a great tool for service providers, giving them quick and easy access to resources for those whom they serve," said Gary Johnson, director of Wellspring, a nonprofit parent education company. "When we bring people with needs and resources together, what we're really doing is building relationships and building community."

Operation, content management and maintenance of CAN-DO-NET is done by volunteers and paid staff, overseen by a community board. Staffing costs and operational expenses are funded by the Silver Dollar City Foundation. Web site management is donated by Computech Mailing Services of Branson.[[In-content Ad]]