Marcus Allen

What does it take to ensure that community engagement isn't transactional, reduced to a buzzword or checkbox, in building partnerships between healthcare and people with lived experience? Our Power session with the team from INSPIRE is up on the website, you can learn from their research process, best practices, and action recommendations what it looks like to make community engagement more authentic and transformational.

9

1 Comment

Learn more about the Chamber Leadership Program. I might have a quote in the article.

5

1 Comment

As we approach the possible reopening of Shuman Center, it’s clear that the path forward must prioritize the holistic development of our youth beyond mere incarceration. As an expert in program development through strategic collaboration, I advocate for integrating comprehensive supportive services for both juveniles and their families. The key to breaking the cycle of recidivism lies in addressing the root causes of youth behavior, many of which are deeply intertwined with family dynamics and trauma. I propose assigning life navigators—dedicated case managers—to each youth. These navigators will provide essential services, including partner referrals, program participation tracking, mentorship, and follow-ups for at least 6 to 12 months and beyond as needed. This structured support system ensures continuous engagement and addresses both immediate and long-term needs. Despite differing visions for the facility, it’s crucial to recognize that short-term detention does not equate to neglecting the broader needs of these young individuals. While Adelphoi focuses on immediate safety and court processing, integrating supportive services through third-party providers ensures that we don’t miss the opportunity to offer rehabilitation and positive development during this critical period. County Executive Sara Innamorato’s vision of holistic services, including mental health and educational opportunities, aligns perfectly with this approach. With the integration of wraparound services and experts, we can enhance service delivery and maintain rigorous oversight of programmatic activity and outcome metrics while addressing concerns about privatization, transparency, and accountability. Imagine the impact of a solution-based approach that transforms the Highland Detention Center from a place of mere confinement into a catalyst for positive change. By addressing trauma, supporting families, and providing continuous care through life navigators, we can foster true rehabilitation and prepare our youth for successful reintegration into society. #YouthDevelopment #JuvenileJustice #HolisticSupport #CommunityEngagement #Rehabilitation #AlleghenyCounty https://lnkd.in/eCg884Si

11

4 Comments

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and serves as a powerful reminder of the long struggle for freedom and equality in the United States. This historic day provides an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing issues of systemic racism and social justice, including the current state of mass incarceration. By acknowledging Juneteenth, we can foster a deeper understanding of how historical injustice, such as slavery and segregation, have evolved into modern-day disparities within the criminal justice system. This awareness can drive meaningful discussions and policy changes aimed at addressing racial biases, reducing incarceration rates, and promoting rehabilitation and reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. Ultimately, Juneteenth can inspire collective action towards building a more equitable and just society.

13

Register for our next Bootcamp, "How to Find Grants the Untraditional Way." Tuesday, June 11, from 10:00 am - 10:30 am via Zoom. The topic will be Register in advance for this Raising More Money Nonprofit Bootcamp: https://lnkd.in/eN96RJ6m After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. In this upcoming session, you will learn: Innovative strategies for identifying grant opportunities beyond traditional sources Tips for leveraging community connections to uncover hidden grant prospects How to utilize online platforms to find grant opportunities Best practices for approaching non-conventional grant makers

7

One of the greatest gifts the nonprofit sector has afforded me is a community of people who are just as committed to justice and liberation as I am. Join Us: Monday, June 3, 2024 at 9 AM ET FREE Virtual Event Register here: https://lnkd.in/eb5PvrJv Reimagining Nonprofit Boards Do nonprofit boards work for communities or are they extensions of American capitalism? Much has been written about nonprofit Boards of Directors and a lot of the discourse centers on outlining the board’s role in governance, best practices for board functioning, the need to leverage boards for fundraising, and how diverse boards can/should amplify the voices and solutions of impacted communities. And yet, the same issues continue to surface among nonprofit practitioners - the board doesn't reflect the community being served, emphasis on fundraising negatively impacts board commitments to diversity, the board doesn't understand the difference between governance and management, the board is disconnected from the issues we are trying to solve. What if we could imagine an alternative to the current nonprofit board's role and structure? How could things be different? Can we imagine a board not bound by the historical legal construct of current nonprofits; one too often tied to the traditional white dominant model of power and influence? Join us as we talk about what boards are like today, what we envision for boards, and some models to use for change. In this session, nonprofit leaders of all levels will learn ways to move the needle toward liberated governance that they can apply today and use to plan for the future. Presenters: Dr. Danielle R. Moss Cox and Brigid Lang, MPA, CFRE, CPC

64

5 Comments

Definitely worth the read. I love the final paragraph "For all the reasons described, when clients want help with a traditional public meeting, we often steer them away from the idea. What they really want is shared understanding of a concept; buy-in for a project; and a community that’s cohesive, empowered, inclusive and thriving in every way possible. So torch the town hall and try something a little more civilized for all parties. Getting there is simple but not easy. It takes fresh thinking, an open mind, and a lot of courage. It takes #vulnerability and #humility and a #willingnesstochange. With some forethought and planning though, the results include more satisfied stakeholders with #renewedtrust in your agency and a more #informeddecision that most can support." #authenticpublicengagement #localgovleadership #policybeginswithpeople

5

1 Comment

I saw this compelling post a few days ago and haven't stopped thinking about it! Mira mentions that the tactics below and others can support canvassers. Here are a few additional tactics from my perspective. What would you add? ⭐Have legal counsel on speed dial: Ensuring staff feel secure and supported is crucial. Notify your counsel of your canvassing programs. Share with your staff that employees who are arrested for legally performing their job responsibilities may be eligible for representation by your organization’s legal counsel. ⭐Community Resources: Prepare a list of local emergency personnel and non-law enforcement support in crisis situations. Keep a contact list of community resources such as diversion programs, mental health responders, alternatives for wellness checks, and other relevant hotlines if available in your location. ⭐Reporting: Have a reporting system for police and suspicious encounters and share high-level details of these reports with partners. As a collective, you may be able to identify and neutralize concerning trends. ⭐Infiltration: Train all staff on opposition leadership and social engineering tactics. Ensure staff know they can say they don’t know an answer and can get back to whomever is asking. ⭐Notifying the cops: It's crucial to respect and value the preferences of the communities we engage with. Ask your canvass leadership if notifying the cops ahead of the canvass launch aligns with the community's vibe. Sometimes, communities prefer not to engage with the police proactively, and we should listen to them. If your staff wants you to reach out to the police ahead of the canvass, don’t just call - send a written email acknowledging canvassing and the distribution of educational literature, which are fundamental rights protected by the U.S. Constitution. If a canvasser has to interact with the police, I agree with following up with the local precinct to reiterate this protected right. Share a senior-level leader’s contact information for any questions (as the Executive Director at Scale for Change, I’m the point of contact). ⭐Call turf ahead of time: Calling is cost-efficient and can help innoculate the community that your organization’s canvassers will be in their neighborhood. Bonus points: Your callers can eliminate doors they identify that don’t want to hear from your folks, making your knocks more efficient. ⭐Ask staff what they need: After an incident, such as when a canvasser is harassed in the community or by the police, it can ripple through the office. Make sure management makes space for the team to debrief and determine their needs. Ask how they want to approach an incident before pushing a solution. And - critically - implement what the office asks for. #CommunityOrganizing #Canvassing #Elections #Election2024 #CampaignManagement #CrisisManagement #CommunitySafety #GrassrootsCampaigns #Advocacy #PublicEngagement #StaffSupport #CommunityResources #EmergencyPreparedness

11

2 Comments

Have you seen the RFP for Youth Training and Career Development Services? The estimated Funding Amount Up to $1,033,383. In this video, I'll be diving into the Savannah RFP for youth training and career development services. I'll walk you through the key details, including the funding, program elements, and important guidelines. Plus, I'll share a quick tip on how you can propose this opportunity to your own county's workforce board. So, if you're interested in exploring this exciting RFP and potentially participating in the program, this video is for you. #montinaspeaks

19

4 Comments

“Where We #Work: #Living and #Leading Whole & Well is The Standard” It was a privilege to host Aisha Bond, Esq., president & CEO of the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce in a wide-ranging discussion at American Psychiatric Association HQ about the unique #wellness challenges facing underrepresented entrepreneurs, clinicians, and executives. The harvest is plentiful, but the opportunities are not. I look forward to the next evolution. #StressManagement #MentalHealth #Resilience #HealthEquity #LifestyleMedicine https://lnkd.in/e3UqHWEu

36

1 Comment

Data is critical for non-profits as they look to access grants and also reduce the admin/reporting for grants they've already received We work with non-profits to collect all the data associated with their volunteers, events, and donations in one place This also allows them to report to their communities on the important impact they have been able to achieve Reach out if you think it could help your organization https://lnkd.in/grBJXDvN

3

Learn more about the transformational work of Samaritan's Mary Ann Boccolini Institute for Education, Research & Innovation, and how you can support it: https://lnkd.in/emQ2E3Yv

9

Grateful to ADARA: Excellence in Service Delivery to Individuals Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing for giving me the opportunity to present on “Strategic Insights into Organizations that Serve our Community.” Key takeaways from the session: • Legislation can be enacted based on a single needs assessment, as was the case in Connecticut. They now have a mandate and funding to create a new bureau for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, among other achievements. • Statewide priorities can be immediately apparent through data collection, analysis, and reporting. In Louisiana, an ASL Interpreter needs assessment revealed what needed to be done to change the situation. Since then, they have done an incredible job with new strategic initiatives intended to bring about these important outcomes. Integrating data into strategic conversations drives significant and lasting change. Together, we can harness the power of data to shape a brighter future for our communities.

78

2 Comments

Juneteenth is a day worth noting and celebrating for three reasons: First, because it’s important we recognize the distinction between national decree and practical application. The Emancipation Proclamation was a national decree. It was important and necessary. To be who we long to be, we should acknowledge the ideal towards which we’re striving. Getting to that Proclamation was a national struggle, with a lot of significant fallout. We fought a war over how we would move forward together nationally (with all of its implications). That said, justice is just by application. Juneteenth reminds us that sometimes it takes physically meeting others where they are in order to personalize the freedom available to them.   Second, because we should see color. I’m currently reading a book about Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. Color barriers were real and often surprisingly pervasive. Louis Armstrong, for example, was (early in his career) deemed “too dark-skinned” for the Cotton Club where the Duke played. Color is a part of our experience as a person. That said, how we value color (and the uniqueness of the individual) is something to which we should pay attention. Color is not the only marker of uniqueness, nor should it equate to an assessment (or assumption) of character. Kind is kind regardless of skin tone. Mean is mean regardless of skin tone. Juneteenth reminds us we should value an individual’s unique worth, even as we value shared character. Heaven is filled with people from all tribes, tongues, and skin tones. Unity is not uniformity. Third, it reminds us that change is often a process requiring a change of perception. One of the sobering questions we should ask ourselves is why the Civil Rights Movement was even necessary if Juneteenth exists (and only two and a half years post-Emancipation Proclamation)? Why Jim Crow if we fought a national civil war over (among other issues) race, value, dignity, and worth of all Americans? How can we have World War II veterans of all colors give their lives in combat and come home to different water faucets and bathrooms? The speed of progress resides in our capacity at the kitchen table to know what to value and how to apply that value with intentionality. People often conflate tradition with value. “That’s how it’s always been” was a trope often trotted out to justify wrongs. Just because everyone is doing it, doesn’t make it right. Just because everyone has done it for decades doesn’t mean it’s valuable. Humans have the capacity to perpetuate wrong as much as what is right through the justification of tradition and comfort. That is true of historically racist contexts, and it is true regarding other topics today. Popularity is not a good barometer for righteousness. There’s a difference between having neighbors and being neighborly. Likewise, there’s a difference between being a citizen and being united. In these United States, it’s good to have a reminder of that distinction.

9