Case Studies
Providing a strategy to meet the foster care crisis
Organization: Generations Together
Beth Fraker felt called to tackle one of the most daunting social problems in child welfare: providing long term solutions for foster care. And she dreamt of an innovative solution: residential communities where senior citizens and foster kids live together and mutually care for each other. Around her dream, she formed a nonprofit called Generations Together.
Visionary leaders like Beth often need help in plotting a step by step route to their dreams. And this particular route was bound to be especially complicated and daunting: it involved real estate, housing development, other existing nonprofits, and especially local county agencies.
Beth enlisted the help of CWR’s Lead Consultant, Curtis Chang. Curtis spent many hours listening to Beth to fully grasp her vision. Drawing on his background in public policy, he researched the different dimensions of the issues. In addition to getting his head around her cause, he sought to connect his heart as well, taking steps such as visiting a foster care community in Massachussets and signing up for local CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) training.
Beth had already skillfully cultivated potential interest among key leaders that would be necessary to accomplish the vision. Curtis helped Beth formulate a strategy to draw them into a concrete partnership. Based on his extensive research, Curtis wrote a comprehensive concept paper and business plan that defined the complex project. Together, they translated that concept and paper into an actual plan of action.
To persuade local government and philanthropic leaders, CWR put hard figures to the plan. The CWR team produced a five year financial projection, showing how the concept could be scaled beyond just one site – a critical new insight for the vision. And to plan for Generations Together’s long term viability, the organization’s first comprehensive budget was created.
The full partnership of CWR, however, was not just felt via papers and spreadsheets. Curtis joined Beth on the crucial project meetings she led, providing real time counsel. During that period, he so embraced the cause that his contributions expanded to areas like researching and selecting its donor management software to finding the right web developer for Generations Together’s new website.
Beth is in the process of defying all the odds and achieving her dream. Government leaders from both Santa Cruz County and Monterey County have joined the project. Two actual locations have been identified for the first Generations Together communities and plans for their development are underway.
When she steps up to cut the opening ribbon, she will have arrived because of her passion and talent. CWR helped harness those attributes towards concrete progress. For Beth and other leaders with compelling causes, we're motivated to serve as a partner on the journey.
Testimonial
“ Curtis threw his own passion and talent behind Generations Together. It was much more than a job for him -- he fully believed in the cause. I particularly valued his sense of ownership at a time when I needed executive-level help. His critical thinking and strategic planning abilities provided much value at critical juncture. I’d recommend CWR to any Executive Director who needs a partner to help get their organization to the next level. ”
— Beth Fraker, Executive Director of Generations Together
Services Provided
Strategic planning · Executive coaching · Financial analysis · Fundraising infrastructure