Saturday, February 20, 2010

The 'To Do' List


My intent for this blog is to provide insight into the behind the scenes thoughts, tasks, and processes involved in structuring a comprehensive self-sufficiency program. This particular pursuit began in November of 2008 (16 months ago); the eight months prior to that I spent researching how to best help break the cycle of poverty, in the lives of young single moms. It was then I determined a self-sufficiency home (model) best satisfied the quest.

I am elated to hold the vision for what Chloe’s Place will become and to be making steady progress toward the goal. We are first initiating our GED Mentoring Project, to be launched soon

Take a peek inside our ‘To Do’ list that has guided our recent work:

♥ Research the need for the proposed project
♥ Research current standards for providing GED tutoring
♥ Review curriculum options
♥ Determine barriers common to young women desiring to earn a GED
♥ Establish a plan to reduce barriers for potential students
♥ Establish time-lines for decisions, plans, promotion, and implementation
♥ Recruit a capable Program Director (willing to volunteer her services)
♥ Determine the best format for tutoring sessions
♥ Secure a location for tutoring sessions
♥ Establish program budget guidelines
♥ Recruit volunteer Mentors
♥ Present and get approval from Board of Directors for funding GED pilot
project
♥ Communicate with multiple community agencies; seeking student referrals
♥ Establish guidelines and policy for volunteers involved in the project
♥ Establish guidelines and policy for students involved in the project
♥ Establish desired ‘outcomes’ to measure success of the project.
♥ Design an ‘outcome’ measurement tool
♥ Work with Insurance Broker to secure General Liability coverage as well as
insurance to address student transportation issues.
♥ Promote project through website and monthly E-Note… to gain community support
(This required a new website design)
♥ Communicate with other programs offering GED programs to learn from their
experience
♥ Address potential safety issues for students and staff

We are now ready to recruit and engage students!

You are probably not surprised to learn that none of these tasks are simple or have quick resolve. Several issues have been addressed then found to be impractical, too costly, or not to the standard we desire… back to the drawing board, we’ve gone. I am most grateful to have the support and encouragement of our Leadership Team and especially indebted to Erin Whinnery, our awesome Program Director!

What an incredible learning experience for me! I’ve even learned a little about myself, especially my expectations! I’ve grown in to a new level of contentment with the rate of our progress. I am confident that it is the steady constant driving toward the goal, not the speed that makes our success sure.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Being right...

Ever since the arrest of the church group from Idaho, caught taking children illegally from Haiti, the question of doing what’s ‘right’ has been discussed through a vast array of perceptions. Even if I assume, and I do, ( simply because I want to) that the zealous Americans thought they were ‘saving’ the children, doing the ‘right’ thing by providing a better life for them,they were still dead wrong! This does not appear to be Civil Disobedience for a higher cause, but failure to respect and adhere to law and practice, in place to protect the rights of children. That kind of ill-equipped fervor almost always ends badly. Their folly makes it more difficult for others to make a positive impact.

As the founder and exec. director of CHLOE, Inc/Chloe’s Place the responsibility to act wisely, within the boundaries of law and best practice, weighs heavy on me. It has pushed me to spend hours scrolling through legal mandates and wade through research that I must stretch to understand. I have read books on topics I had never considered before this work began. My quest continues; one new insight spurs me on to investigate another… and so it goes.

I am always surprised and a bit perplexed when I hear of new not- for- profits launching programs, soliciting support, and celebrating success while the ink is still wet on their business plan. “Do they have a business plan,” I wonder? It is not that I don’t wish them success, I just wonder how they do it! I hope their haste does not precipitate new laws that make serving vulnerable people even harder than it is now! Or... discourage generous people from supporting other worthwhile efforts.

In all things there is need for balance. My folly may be that ‘doing it right’ gets in the way of ‘doing it’. I hope not. Each brick we have laid in the foundation of our organization is intended to make it strong and sustainable for the long haul… long after I have a say in the matter!

Next month, we will start our GED pilot project. To the best of my knowledge and ability we have a good foundation laid for a successful outcome. If not, I am pretty sure someone will bring it to my attention!