Community Possibilities

In this episode, Dr. Michael Quinn Patton (aka MQP) joins me to talk about his work. He is a prolific writer and deep thinker and has influenced the career of many evaluators. In this episode we discuss:How his work has changed over time. You will hear about utilization-focused evaluation,  developmental evaluation,  and the use of a principles approach to evaluation.How he thinks about “community.” Why understanding “systems” is hard for many community members and how those of us who work with them can help them begin to think from a system perspective. Hint: Metaphor and story helps!How operating from principles  can serve as a guide for community coalitions and other community-based organizations.Thinking and acting locally and globally.Why virtual connections are our future.How connecting with each other can help with so many social problems.What he is working on now.BioMichael Quinn Patton an independent evaluation and organizational development consultant based in Minnesota, USA. He is former President of the American Evaluation Association (AEA) and author of eight major evaluation books including a 5th edition of Utilization-Focused Evaluation and 4th edition of Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods used in over 500 universities worldwide. He has also authored books on Practical Evaluation, Creative Evaluation, and Developmental Evaluation: Applying Systems Thinking and Complexity Concepts to Enhance Innovation and Use. He co-authored a book on the dynamics of social innovation and transformation with two Canadians entitled Getting to Maybe: How the World is Changed. He is recipient of the Myrdal Award for Outstanding Contributions to Useful and Practical Evaluation Practice, the Lazarsfeld Award for Lifelong Contributions to Evaluation Theory, and the 2017 Research on Evaluation Award, all from AEA. EvalYouth recognized him with the first Transformative Evaluator Award in 2020. He regularly conducts training for The Evaluators’ Institute and the International Program for Development Evaluation Training.  In 2018 he published books on Principles-Focused Evaluation (Guilford Press) and Facilitating Evaluation: Principles in Practice (Sage Publications). In 2020 his new book on evaluating global systems transformations was published entitled Blue Marble Evaluation: Premises and Principles.  He has also co-edited a book entitled THOUGHT WORK: Thinking, Action, and the Fate of the World (Rowman & Littlefield Publishing, 2020). Connect with Michael on his website: Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Have you ever stood at the crossroads of career and calling, unsure of which path to take? Christa Barfield didn't just stand at that crossroad; she blazed a trail from a decade-long healthcare profession to revolutionizing urban agriculture. Our latest episode charts Christa’s remarkable pivot, capturing her transformation from burnout to beacon of change. With the birth of Viva Leaf Tea Company and FarmerJawn, Christa has rooted herself deeply in the mission to heal communities through sustainable living and the power of food as medicine.The seed of inspiration can come from the most unexpected places – for Krista, it was a trip to Martinique. She recounts her pivotal encounter with local Black farmers to establishing FarmerJawn, a name that has become a rallying cry for inclusivity and empowerment within the agricultural scene of Philadelphia. Christa shares some of the challenges and triumphs of intertwining food sovereignty with community development, and the importance of equipping future generations with knowledge to cultivate their own sustainable success.In this episode, Christa shares FarmerJawn's next step, CornerJawn, which will sow seeds of health in food deserts. The first CornerJawn will open in summer 2024 in Germanton in Northwest Philadelphia.  Her approach intertwines business savvy with a profound social impact. The plan is to create partnerships with medical schools, integrating food education with health screenings, to reshape community health one zip code at a time. Tune in as we uncover the layers of Christa Barfield's extraordinary journey and the legacy she is cultivating for urban communities.Christa's BioChrista Barfield is a health-care professional turned farmer and lifelong Philadelphia resident. It was 10 years into her career in health-care administration when her life led her to pursuing health and happiness in a more sustainable way. After a solo trip abroad in January 2018, she returned home inspired to connect with the land, plant life, and social issues that heavily impact Black and brown communities and all people’s perception of food. Her business is a reincarnation of her healthcare career with a focus on regeneration and nutrition security. Now with 128 acres across 3 counties in PA, she has built FarmerJawn with an equitable focus on Food is Medicine and she is leading conversations nationwide on how to take a Farm First approach to America’s relationship with food and health."Website: https://www.farmerjawn.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmerjawn_/Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

On this episode of Community Possibilities, Kali Thorne Ladd, Executive Director of the Children's Institute joins me. Kali shares her journey from passionate classroom teacher to a visionary leader, driving policy change to bolster the well-being of children and, subsequently, Oregon communities. I first learned about the Children's Institute when I saw a video sponsored by the Ford Family Foundation about the transformation of the Yoncalla Elementary School.  Yoncalla School District leaders and community members, including parents of young children, worked together to reinvent the elementary school’s approach to family and child support. The school now is thriving, drawing families from across the region. By nurturing genuine partnerships in communities like Yoncalla, the Children's Institute has catalyzed impressive strides in school attendance and literacy rates, demonstrating the unique power rural areas hold in shaping the future of young children. We talk about the synergies of health services and education through shared leadership and the innovative concept of universal home visiting in Oregon. Kali shares insights on integrating healthcare into schools and strategies for overcoming obstacles that hinder a child's ability to thrive in school. We reflect on the power of cross-sector collaboration and the universal appeal of early childhood issues to unify across political divides. Tune in for an episode that's not just a conversation but a call to action, one that champions the collective responsibility we share in nurturing the potential of our youngest community members.Kaili's Bio: Previously, Thorne Ladd was the co-founder and executive director of KairosPDX, a culturally specific organization dedicated to eliminating educational opportunity and achievement gaps for historically underserved children. Through that work, and as a visionary leader in multiple capacities in the region, Thorne Ladd has a long track record of working to transform early learning and healthy development for children and families in Oregon. This has included serving as the chair of the board for Portland Community College, serving on Governor Brown’s Early Learning Council, and serving on the board at the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation based in Portland. Kali worked on education strategies in the mayor’s office in the City of Portland and at the Oregon Department of Education. She holds a MA in education policy from Harvard University and a BA in elementary education and psychology from Boston College.Show Links:Kali's Email: kali@childinst.orgLike what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

In this episode of Community Possibilities, Dr. Tasha Parker shares her story and work as community psychologist and liscenced clinical social worker.  Tasha's personal story influences her approach to collaborative systems change, challenging the popular yet insufficient concepts of 'resiliency' and 'grit'. Our conversation navigates the intersection of equity, trauma-informed community development, and intersectionality, unveiling the necessity for spaces that dismantle hidden power structures and champion genuine inclusion.This episode for anyone devoted to community engagement and equity, offering practical strategies for community collaboration. We discuss how to maintain a trauma-informed lens and advocate for equity across all community engagement phases. Dr. Parker provides insights for creating trauma-informed communities that redistribute power, ensuring those affected by policies are leading the charge in decision-making processes. Join us and be part of the conversation that reshapes how communities foster resilience, equity, and transformation.Dr. Tasha Parker's BioDr. Tasha Parker is an experienced professional based in Wichita, Kansas. With over 17 years of experience in mental and behavioral health, social justice, and youth development, she is the founder and principal community consultant at the Institute of Development, LLC. Her specialties include trauma-informed, resiliency-informed, liberatory, cultural responsiveness, and equitable approaches. She is also privileged to spend one day a week sitting and supporting clients on their personal journeys, providing clinical therapy. Dr. Parker holds a Ph.D. in Community Psychology, a Master of Public Administration focused on Nonprofit Management and Finance, and a Master of Social Work. Dr. Parker's diverse skill set includes research and evaluation, group facilitation, prevention, program development, and implementation. She is passionate about collaborative systems change rooted in equity and cultural humility. Believing that the true currency for sustainable systemic changes is rooted in equity, liberation, cultural and intellectual humility, and harm reduction.Contact Dr. Parker: https://www.tashaparker.com/ The quickest way to reach Dr. Parker is: tashap@tashaparker.com Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Following a car accident  at 16, Addis Alemayehu Gonte's life changed forever. Eventually he recovered from multiple traumatic injuries. Addis shares the challenges of living with visable and invisible disabilities. While in college he founded a nonprofit, ABLE Mindset, that works to uplift and empower lives through the creative arts. Addis reflects on the isolation often felt by individuals with disabilities and how we can bridge those gaps. We reveal the personal journeys that have led us to understand the significance of vulnerability and the importance of suspending assumptions. His work with ABLE Mindset, particularly the rhythm workshops and creative arts programs is supported from partners incuding the University of North Texas, the YMCA and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.Addis Gonte's Bio Addis Gonte is a highly motivated and dedicated community outreach specialist with a passion for creating positive change in underserved communities. After a life-threatening car accident at 16, Addis Gonte was left with traumatic injuries. He was determined to continue his education, completing high school and college, graduating with a B.A. in Sociology and Rehabilitation from the University of North Texas. He is a certified peer and family support mentor for the Christopher and Dana Reeve organization and United Spinal Association, and is dedicated to supporting newly injured individuals and their families with this difficult transition in life. While in College, he founded his nonprofit, Able Mindset, dedicated to empower persons living with disabilities utilizing creative arts to have an enriching life experience.  Contact Addis at: https://ablemindset.org/ Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Johann Jacob and Helen Kinsella, two residents of Co-Habitat Quebec's, join me to share their community in Quebec, Canada.  I met Johann at the Canadian Evaluation Society and he and his partner graciously hosted me and another friend for dinner at their community. I was excited to learn about this way of living in community. Johann and Helen share the history of Co-Habitat Quebec's  and how the architecture of daily interactions shapes a thriving community.Co-housing communities, as I learn, are not unique in the world or even the U.S.  In this episode we learn how shared responsibilities underpin these intentional spaces, from group meals to collective cleaning.  I ask Johann and Helen about practicalities, like how the community naviagtes things like personality clashes.We reflect on the transformative power of strong community ties for personal and societal well-being. We end by discussing how communal values could be infused in our own lives. Guest BiosHelen Kinsella has lived at Cohabitat Québec for five years with her partner Marc and her two daughters aged 13 and 10. A native of Ireland, she spent 12 years living in London, working in media and for non-profit organizations, with a particular interest in feminist and environmental issues and minority rights. She speaks several languages, and currently works part-time as a community interpreter and translator for Quebec City's health and social services. She was vice-chair of the Women's Environmental Network in London, a feminist charity with a particular concern for the environmental issues that affect women and minority communities. She believes that co-housing initiatives, coupled with strong and vibrant local communities, are a crucial way to achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives.Johann Lucas Jacob holds a Ph.D in measurement and evaluation from Université Laval. He is a research professional at the Quebec’s Observatory on climate change adaptation (Observatoire québécois de l’adaptation aux changements climatiques) (OQACC), a research center dedicated to the M&E of climate change adaptation. He is also a lecturer in evaluation at the faculty of medicine of Université Laval. Johann is the author of two books, as well as fifty scientific articles and evaluative research reports.Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

What does it mean to  be an advocate, a parent, and a community leader? Angela Masden is all of those things. In this episode, Angela shares her story and shares her lessons learned.  She shares her inspiring journey as single parenthood who found her voice  advocating for her son in a system riddled with systemic biases. We cover a myriad of topics from Angela's impactful community work to the pivotal role of parent involvement in the education system.Our conversation explores the deeply troubling biases in early intervention, spotlighting Angela's experience with her son's overlooked needs due to his race and insurance status.  Angela's spirit is undeterred as she continues to champion advocacy and community engagement. We hope you will listen and be empowered to make a difference in your community.Angela shares her powerful call to action: to amplify voices, empower parents, and tirelessly work towards creating a better world for our children. Angela's Bio:Angela believes in the power of collective action and constantly encourages others to join her in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society. She is a passionate and dedicated community change maker.  Born and raised in Louisville Kentucky, Angela developed a deep love for her community and a strong desire to create lasting change from a young age.Education played a significant role in shaping Angela's journey as a change maker. She pursued a Bachelor's degree in Education, and a Master’s in Higher Education where she gained valuable knowledge and skills to address social issues effectively. Angela's academic experience fueled her passion for social justice and equipped her with the necessary tools to make a meaningful difference. Angela designed and implemented programs focused on mentorship, skill-building, and advocacy, creating a safe and supportive environment for young individuals to thrive. Angela's dedication and innovative approach garnered recognition as the 2020 Blue Door Hero, and her programs became models for other organizations striving to make a similar impact.She is the Director of Civic Engagement with Play Cousins Collective. She also is co- founder of a organization called "The Prophecy Foundation ". Angela ability to articulate the concerns of marginalized populations and propose practical solutions earned her respect and credibility among decision-makers. She is the owner of Rose Dove Consulting.  Angela is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2022 Black Women of Excellence and 2022 Trailblazer Award. She sits on numerous boards such as Project Community Center and Kentucky Black Festival.   Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

How do you usually great veterans? Do you nod and thank them for their service? In this episode, Dr. Qwynn Galloway Salazar, an Army veteran and military spouse, joins me for a second time to revisit her work with veteran and military communities. Her role as an end-of-life doula, educator, and facilitator uncovers unique perspectives on addressing trauma, suicide prevention, and end-of-life care.We discuss the sensitive, yet crucial topic of death, bridging the divide between the veteran and civilian communities.  Dr. Quinn's work as an end-of-life doula is inspiring, and the ripple effect of her commitment to supporting veterans and their families through this profound journey is truly moving.  We wrap up by shedding light on the creative side of advocacy. We reflect on the potential of creativity in addressing tough topics and inspiring change. We invite you to explore how we can collectively confront social, economic, and political challenges. Links mentioned in this episode:Link to Episode 10, my first conversation with QwynnConnect with Qywnn In Their Honor Caring for Veterans Through the End of Life, PsychArmor and In Their HonorDr. Gallow-Salazar's Bio:Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar is the Founder of In Their Honor. As an Army Veteran, Spouse to a Combat Veterans, End-of-Life Doula, and Educator, she has devoted over two decades to enhancing the quality of life for military and Veteran communities. Driven by her deep commitment, Qwynn has delved into crucial topics such as trauma, behavioral health, end-of-life care, and suicide prevention, gaining profound insights into the enduring impact of military experiences on Veterans and their loved ones.As a Compassionate and Creative Innovator, Qwynn passionately unites diverse communities, states, academic institutions, and end-of-life organizations under a joint mission: to ensure that Veterans and their loved ones receive unparalleled care and support throughout life's final journey. She served as the Lead Advisor for the groundbreaking launch of the "Caring for Veterans Through the End-of-Life Collection" by PsychArmor Institute. This 3-part collection, infused with profound wisdom and empathy, stands at the forefront of end-of-life education for Compassionate Communities, Caregivers/Loved Ones, and Healthcare Providers alike, offering invaluable guidance and support.Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

From a career in banking to fortifying families against child abuse, our guest today is a testament to the power of following your passion. Jennifer Stein, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, joins us to share her inspiring journey and the transformative work her organization is doing to safeguard children. She sheds light on the critical role her team plays in strengthening Georgia’s families and the impact of their first family resource center in Northeast Georgia.In our discussion, we also touch on the innovative approaches that Jennifer and her team are using to prevent child abuse. Hear how they’re leveraging non-traditional partnerships and emphasizing the role of community support for parents. Prevent Child Abuse Georgia  www.PCAGeorgia.org Jennifer's Bio:Jennifer Stein is the Executive Director for Prevent Child Abuse Georgia (PCA Georgia) in the Mark Chaffin Center for Healthy Development a Georgia State University Research Center located in the School of Public Health.Jennifer joined PCA Georgia in 2021 after seven years of leading Prevent Child Abuse Habersham where she identified the need for and launched the Family Resource Center of Northeast Georgia. With more than two decades of management experience collectively in compliance operations, sales, and nonprofit management, Stein has a gift for discerning organizational capacity and implementing a collaborative vision for excellence. As PCA Georgia serving as one of three key partners for Georgia’s Essentials for Childhood initiative, Stein partners with the Division of Family & Children Services to lead the implementation of the state’s Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Plan (CANPP).  Additionally, as the implementing agency for Strengthening Families Georgia (SFG), and the Georgia Family Support Network (GFSN). Stein serves on both the governance and strategic planning committees within SFG’s leadership infrastructure as well as GFSN’s steering committee and communications workgroup. With the support of its Board of Directors and strong staff, Stein scaled the organization to increase its potential and tripled its funding within five years, cultivating local and regional support, and expanding its service sector from one to five counties via grants, state contracts, and direct investments from donors.   Additionally, Stein plays an integral role on Georgia’s Supreme Court Committee on Justice for Children, Georgia’s Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act Panel (CPSAC), and Child Fatality Review Prevention Subcommittee; she previously served globally in the Supervised Visitation Network as a board member and officer.Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Join us as we journey alongside Dr. Alie Redd, Executive Director of Covenant House, Georgia. "Dr. A" was raised in the 70's as a 'parentified kid' and faced homelessness during her undergrad years.  Alie's life story is one of grace, resilience, and self-reflection. Today, she is dedicated to supporting young people who have suffered trauma and are homeless as a result.We talk about the experience of today's youth - violence, foster care, homelessness, and struggles with mental health. We examine the hurdles encountered when trying to connect these young people with the community resources they crucially need. A spotlight is thrown on the pivotal role of mental health services and community volunteers in breaking the crisis cycle and weaving a safety net around the most vulnerable children in our society. Dr. Redd emphasizes the power of unconditional love, respect, and support for  Covenant House youth. We delve into the immense potential of community collaboration, and how it fuels the progress and hope of these young individuals. Further, Dr. A shares how other we can lend a hand to their mission - from participating in sleep out events, to donations and volunteering. This episode is a call to action - a challenge to create more opportunities for our young people, to pay closer attention to our community's youth. Join us on this journey, and let's make a difference, together.Dr. A's BioDr. Alieizoria Redd (“DrA”) joined Covenant House Georgia as the Executive Director in March 2018 and comes with 30+ years of experience as a servant leader in social services. Previously, Dr. Redd served children and families while employed at as the Vice President of Housing and Placement Services at CHRIS 180, Adjunct Professor at Tulane and Clark Atlanta Universities, Vice President of Programs at Inspiritus, and in private practice. She has served various populations as a direct service provider, clinician, clinical supervisor, advocate, advisor, administrator, professor, and executive leader. Dr. Redd supports the LGBTQ+ community as a co-chair of the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board Co-Chair and is a member of Leadership Atlanta Class of 2023, “Rowdiest Class Ever.”Dr. Redd earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Memphis, an MSW and PhD in Social Work Policy Planning Administration and Social Science with a cognate in Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University. She has been continuously licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2000. Her areas of concentration include: non-profit leadership; social and child welfare policy; commercial sexual exploitation of children; secondary trauma of social workers; refugee and immigration services; racial identity; youth homelessness; LGBTQ+ youth; and military families.Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Join me as I sit down with Nonet Sykes, the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Atlanta Beltline Inc., who reveals the many changes brought about by the Atlanta Beltline project. Nonet describes how the Beltline, beyond its identity as a walking and biking path, is striving to reconnect 45 previously segregated neighborhoods and foster racial and economic equity.Nonet delves deep into how the Beltline is not just shaping the city's skyline but also promoting job creation, driving economic development, and safeguarding affordable housing. We tap into the often ignored social determinants of health and how projects like Atlanta Beltline are transforming transportation, housing, healthcare, and food access. Rounding off our conversation, we look into Atlanta Beltline's commitment to transparency and accountability. Nonet gives us a glimpse into how the Beltline is implementing equity in their practice and policies. Be it their equity audit, their legacy resident retention program, or even their initiatives in affordable housing, the Beltline's approach is holistic and future-focused. Hear the vision for the Beltline's future and the invaluable lessons Nonet gathered along the way. Guest Information and Links:Nonet Sykes, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Atlanta BeltLine Inc.nsykes@atlbeltline.orgwww.linkedin.com/in/nonet-sykes-8796a413https://beltline.orgNonet's BioThe first to hold this position, Nonet leads the development and implementation of the Atlanta BeltLine’s comprehensive equity and inclusion vision, strategy, and action plan. As a member of the Executive Team, Nonet leads an organization-wide effort to operationalize the BeltLine’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and implement strategies that stabilize communities, increase housing affordability, spur job creation, and ensure economic opportunity.Nonet was previously director of racial equity and inclusion at the Annie E. Casey Foundation where she led the organization’s equity and inclusion strategies and invested resources to identify, implement, and promote the most effective approaches to increase equitable opportunities and outcomes for children, families, and communities of color. Nonet’s 20 plus years of experience spans the areas of racial equity and inclusion, community and economic development, strategic leadership, nonprofit capacity building, and change management.Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Join us on this enlightening convo with Catherine Cote, founder of Project Empathy. A college study abroad experience to Melbourne, Australia, changed her life. Catherine's story is one of personal growth and social awakening. Catherine's passion project, Project Empathy, is her remarkable initiative that aims to open up dialogue and understanding through the power of storytelling and unique empathy exercises.  The Black Lives Matter movement and the 2020 election greatly influenced the project, underlining the crucial role of storytelling in fostering empathy and understanding. Catherine's shares who the Project creates a safe space for dialogue and the transformative impact of shared story. Catherine shares her insights on the profound power of empathy and connection in bridging societal divides. We explore the inner workings of Project Empathy -  the rehearsal process, final performance, and the pivotal role of the audience in the narrative. If you seek a deeper understanding of humanity and are intrigued by the potential of storytelling to change hearts and minds, this conversation with Catherine Cody is one you won't want to miss.!Catherine's Bio:Catherine Cote, founder of Project Empathy, is a Boston-based creative, marketer, and entrepreneur with a passion for human connection. Catherine graduated from College of the Holy Cross in 2018 with a psychology major, education and Mandarin Chinese minors, a certificate from the Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics, & Society, and a habit for theatre. Her interests and studies all boil down to a passion for understanding people and the way we communicate. In February 2017, while studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia, Catherine created Project Empathy as an experimental answer to the social division and lack of deep conversation she was experiencing. After directing the first cast of six people at the University of Melbourne, she brought the Project back home to the US for its American premier at Holy Cross. To expand the Project’s reach and impact, Catherine developed the Performance Package and founded Project Empathy, LLC in October 2020.In addition to running Project Empathy, Catherine works in higher education marketing. When she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her hiking with her family and dog, picnicking with friends or a good book, or singing in her Subaru.Connect with Catherine:Website: https://www.officialprojectempathy.com/Email: OfficialProjectEmpathy@gmail.comInstagram/TikTok: @ProjectEmpathyFacebook/LinkedIn: Project Empathy Mentioned in this podcast:Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Are you ready to understand community level change? Buckle up as my business bestie, Dr. Susan Wolff, and I share our experiences working with community coalitions and community-based nonprofits. We share our highs, our lows, and those 'aha' moments that keep us going in our quest to effect change. We've poured our expertise into a co-authored book, "Guidebook to Community Consulting," a must-read for anyone seeking to make a difference in their community. (Enter GTCC2023 at checkout for a 20% discount!)  We explore the essentials of connecting with community members, upholding values of equity and anti-racism, and honing your skills to become a successful community consultant. We also delve into the powerful concept of cultural humility and its impact on DEI training. We tackle the resistance to DEI training head-on, offering strategies to overcome it.We also look at the importance of inclusivity within community engagement, discussing how to make meetings accessible for everyone, and using data to measure inclusivity. We discuss our experiences with experiential activities to boost participation and ensure every voice is heard. So, come and join our enlightening conversation, as we unlock the potential for change that lies within communities.Susan joined me on Episode #3, listen to it here: Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

In this episode, advocate, evaluator, city councilman, and recently new podcast host, David Shorr joins me on Community Possibilities.  We met through our mutual colleague and friend, Kathleen Sullivan. Kathleen has the distinction of being my most popular episode to date. There is a lot of interest in advocacy, and David knows advocacy like few others.   In this episode we talk about:·        How does an issue become a decision?  ·        How do community leaders and community-based organizations move an issue and set it up for a decision(s) that lead to change.·        How the advocacy game is played and what is the "inside game" is, versus the "outside game” and how these are related to change.·        His experience on the inside as an elected, local-level decision maker. What can community members and leaders do to advance issues they care about in their communities.Website: David Shorr -- Policy Advocate & Evaluator - HomeDavid's Podcast: The Battles We Pick Kathleen Sullivan's episode on Community Possibilites .Link to the article by David and Kathleen with great examples of community level change: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A16759255-9fa2-3fcc-90de-482e45a1f2d0  David Shorr has built his AdvocacyCraft Consulting practice drawing on decades of shaping debate and decision making in varied policy arenas—from high-level diplomacy and presidential politics to local land use. Before launching his practice, David was a Hewlett Foundation consulting program officer responsible for the wind-down of its Nuclear Security Initiative. David is keenly interested in issues at the nexus of political decision making and technical practicalities, which he explores in his new podcast "The Battles We Pick." He has served as a decisionmaker himself since his 2016 election to city council in his Central Wisconsin community. For over thirty years David advocated on foreign policy issues in senior roles with Stanley Center for Peace & Security, HumaLike what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

On this episode, Allisaon Padilla-Goodman, Vice President of the Southern Division of the Anti-Defamation League joins me. As Vice President of the Southern Division, Allison Padilla-Goodman and her team work daily to fight antisemitism and all forms of hate in the Cleveland, Florida, South Central, Southeast and Washington, D.C. regional offices. In this episode we talk about:Allison's origin story - you have to listen!  Her early work in academia and as a community organizer and what that work taught her.The term “othering” and what it has to do with hate and extremism. The Anti-Defamation League and how she first became involved.The specific work ADL does in fighting extremism, policy, and education. How the ADL, like many groups working for social change, faces criticism. So we explore that and how she deals with it. We also talk about what she wants people to understand about the work ADL does.What can people, specifically young people, can do in their own communities to address hate and extremism.Allison's Bio:Allison joined ADL in 2014 as the Regional Director of ADL’s New Orleans office after many years in academia. Her academic work focused on racial identities and othering. Most recently, she was the Regional Director of ADL’s Atlanta office. Prior to her work at ADL and in academia, Allison was a Senior Research Fellow in the premier Center for Service-Learning in Southeast Asia, worked in public education in New Orleans, and was a community organizer around public safety and culture. She received the Torch of Liberty Distinguished Service award by the ADL New Orleans Regional Board and has become an avid voice for fighting hate in the American South.Allison earned a B.A. from Middlebury College, an M.A. in Latin American Studies from Tulane University, and a PhD in Sociology from the CUNY Graduate Center. Allison's Contact information:www.adl.orgagoodman@adl.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonpadillagoodmanLike what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation SolutionsHow Ann  can help:Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.Engage your group in equitable, difficult conversations.FaLike what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

In this episode, Ann speaks to Maryum Lewis, President & CEO of Jerasulem House, now known as Status:Home. We talk about:Maryum's journey from the family farm to the city and why she chose to work in the nonprofit space. The history of Jerusalem House,  Atlanta’s oldest and largest provider of permanent housing for low-income individuals. Why housing is healthcare and why it is central to the work they do.We explore how the affordable housing crisis is changing the lives of working families and how that directly impacts the support Status:Home providesThe whole family approach and why that is important.How they make a difference for people with HIV/AIDs and how that work has changed over time.What is challenging for her as a nonprofit leader right now. Hint: It's not just about money.  Leadership can be lonely sometimes. Their rebranding experience and they why behind it.What she would tell her 22-year-old self.Maryum's BioMaryum Lewis, CFRE, currently serves as the President & CEO of Jerusalem House. In this role, Gibson directs all operations, oversees staff and strategizes fundraising activities for the organization, which is Atlanta’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS permanent supportive housing provider. Jerusalem House is one of the 75 largest nonprofits in Atlanta with a budget of $8.8 Million and a staff of 35. Each year, the organization houses close to 500 people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Maryum came to Jerusalem House in 2021 with over two decades of diverse non-profit leadership experience including executive, fundraising, organizational management, board leadership, volunteer management and consulting.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science degree in Non-Profit Leadership from Georgia State University.  In 2022, she was selected as a 2022 Georgia Titan 100, one of Georgia’s Top CEO’s & C-Level Executives. In addition, she was selected as a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2023. Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation SolutionsHow Ann  can help:Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.Engage your group in equitable, difficult conversations.Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.Create a Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

In this episode of Community Possibilities, you will meet Amy Ard, Executive Director of Motherhood Beyond Bars. Being a nonprofit leader was not Amy's career plan, but sometimes, life takes you in unexpected places. One profound experience in her life that led her back to her home, Atlanta. We talk about how Amy first become aware of  incarcerated women who are pregnant and how this forever changed her life. The fact that shackling pregnant and laboring women was legal in many states, including Georgia. How common is it for women who are incarcerated to be pregnant or have children already. (Hint: We don't know).I ask the question some people may be thinking, Why should I care? The kind of services does Motherhood Beyond Bars provide? How MBB shifted in response to systemic barriers. How does MBB make a difference? (any outcomes you can share).Why I dubbed Amy "the Equalizer."What is challenging for her as a nonprofit leader.How they are measuring the outcomes of MBB for the families they serve.What is next for Motherhood Beyond Bars.Learn More about Motherhood Beyond Bars and follow them on social.Amy's BioAmy Ard is the founding Executive Director of Motherhood Beyond Bars (MBB), a nonprofit serving incarcerated pregnant women and their infants. MBB provides holistic family support with the goal of ending cycles of incarceration in families and is the only organization in Georgia supporting pregnant women in custody and conducting vital research on the impacts of maternal incarceration on infants and families.  Amy is a graduate of Atlanta Public Schools, Denison University, and Vanderbilt Divinity School.  Amy and her husband, Michael Waller, live in her childhood home with Amy’s mother, three children, and a handful of quail in the backyard.Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation SolutionsHow Ann  can help:Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.Engage your group in equitable, difficult conversations.Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.Speak at your conference or event.Ann's book with Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

In this episode of Community Possibilties, Dr. Joe Gone, Professor of Anthropology and of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard University,  joins me to talk about his work at the intersection of culture, coloniality, and well-being in Indigenous communities. An enrolled member of the Aaniiih-Gros Ventre tribal Nation of Montana, he has investigated these issues through collaborative research partnerships in both reservation and urban American Indian settings.We talk about:The historical trauma and the effects of that trauma on American Indians and other Indigenous peoples; The pursuit of social justice;“Combatting societal erasure” and how it manifests in our communities, in health and mental health research;The meaning of the word “decolonizing;"   What decolonizing mental health services look like and valuing the therapeutic traditions of the past; His work in substance abuse treatment with the Blackfeet Nation at the Crystal Creek Lodge.“The Power of Story” and indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing and healing;What community leaders should appreciate about ways of knowing. Dr. Joe Gone's BioJoseph P. Gone is an international expert in the psychology and mental health of American Indians and other Indigenous peoples. A professor at Harvard University, Dr. Gone has collaborated with tribal communities for over 25 years to critique conventional mental health services and harness traditional culture and spirituality for advancing Indigenous well-being. He has published over 100 scientific articles and chapters, and received recognition in his fields through several fellowships and career awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2014 and election to the National Academy of Medicine in 2021. Connect with JoeEmail: jgone@g.harvard.eduWebsite: https://gonetowar.com/Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation SolutionsHow Ann  can help:Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.Engage your group in equitable, difficult conversations.Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for actioLike what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Kachina Chawla from USAID joins Ann to discuss her work in India. Kachina and her colleagues work to prevent and treat Tuberculosis, HIV, and other diseases that otherwise might not be provided for in many communities. Communities are the "epicenter" of this work.  Working within communities helps her team reach out to the most marginalized. Kachina offers specific examples as to why drugs alone will not improve health. Kachina educates us on what USAID is, who funds it, and explains her role in the organization as well as her personal outlook on working in communities. Her specific examples will help you think about how you can be more effective in your community work.Items discussed :Why communities are the critical branch of the health systemHow communities provide the feedback needed to bridge the demand and supply gapWhy she chose the Empowerment Methodology and the power of community dialogueThe role of the government in health promotionWe need to let go of our own baggage when working in and with communitiesWhy the power of the collective is the community possibility she seesBioKachina Chawla, MPH, is the Senior Advisor for the Health Office at USAID/India where she works on digital technology, inclusive development and other emerging priorities such as COVID-19, air pollution and urban resilience. She is a public health professional who has spent the last 20 years working extensively in areas of maternal and child health, family planning and infectious diseases across three continents. Prior to joining USAID, Kachina was a founding partner at Lighthouse Health Solutions LLC, an international consulting firm that serviced clients like BMGF, the Packard Foundation and the Public Health Institute. At Lighthouse, she led their investment on using social movements to ignite changes that impact health.  Kachina received her bachelor’s degree in History and Science from Bennington College, Vermont, and a master’s degree in Public Health, specializing in Monitoring and Evaluation from the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University, New Orleans.Community Possibilities is produced by Zach PriceMusic by Zach PriceLike what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Ruth Anne Wolfe has been passionate about social justice in her neighborhood since her daughter attended Pleasant Ridge Montessori in 2006. Between 2006 and 2012, she learned the challenges faced by a public neighborhood school. This experience was the fertile ground for her work today at Community Happens Here. Her journey has been a long and interesting path starting from her mother’s sheep farm to working in Japan, to becoming a Japanese Interpreter in Cincinnati, to getting a law degree and practicing law, to motherhood, and from there to an awakened sense of community work. In this episode Ruth and Ann discuss local schools, social justice, and making change in your community by making personal sacrifices. Podcast highlights include:How her daughter's enrollment in a local Montessori school motivated her to make sure all students had what other had. From starting a foundation to help raise money for the school to buying supplies for the teachers and helping all of the students, Ruth Anne did what it took to support students and teachers. Over time the school became the school everyone wanted their children to go to.Her realization that if she wanted her community to change, it had to start with her.Why she created Community Happens Here, a community space where people are able to meet, entrepreneurs can network, and community happens over a cup of tea or coffee. Just because a community is wealthier doesn't mean the community is more connected or care for each other.The quote that got me? "We can either be a service provider or we can figure out how to stop poverty and other social problems."Teaching people entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurship mindset helps alleviate poverty. Ruth shares that if you can teach someone how to own their own business you don't need to give away food. That person will be able to take care of themselves.Why is it worth doing community work? Ruth tells us, "because its also good for you"!NEW RESOURCE: Curious about how to rev up your coalition and truly engage your community? Download Ann's free Coalition Self-Assessment Tool:  https://www.communityevaluationsolutions.com/coalition-self-assessment-toolSign up for Ann's email list and you will never miss my weekly tips: https://www.communityevaluationsolutions.com/connectMusic and production by Zachary Price,  zachpricet@gmail.comLike what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com