This week we participated in the assessment portion of the core functions of public health. Upon arrival in Barrow, we conducted a windshield survey of the entire "village" of Barrow, which allowed us to visually assess resources in Barrow. It was difficult to tell which things were functional, nonfunctional, residential, or industrial within the village because A) residential areas and industrial areas are equally combined and B) there are many abandoned areas of the village. We were able to verbally discuss some of the elements of town to discover that there really is one of very few things within Barrow, if any: one post office, one fire station, one library, one assisted living home, one grocery store, etc., but no doctor's offices, no real "semblance" of the many resources a full community like this elsewhere would need. There are many services within the community that are very inadequate. We also conducted interviews with community members like the Presbyterian pastor and his wife who are two essentially "hot spots" in town. They hold status and community ties and events occur through the church. This week gave us a good glimpse in Barrow to get answers about the history of the community, some of the pertinent cultural issues, and the needs. There are SO many needs in Barrow that are not accessible and it's frustrating to see that need right in front of you. I think we will have no problem prioritizing three issues in the community.