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Better Together
Stop Competing and Start Collaborating Non-Profit Organizations Band Together During the Pandemic to Improve the Community
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If the advent of COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s the importance of a community that works together, linking its proverbial arms and finding ways to lift one another toward safety. We’ve seen volunteers take risks to deliver lunches to school children. Consumers have purchased gift certificates from their favorite local establishments with hopes of using them later but supporting the business now. Social distancing is meant to protect the rest of the community, not just ourselves. Together, we have sacrificed. “Together Apart” has been a catchphrase of sorts, meant to signify that even though we are tucked away, barely interacting with the rest of the world, we’re mutually united, all the same. Non-profits have known for years that this is a model for success. This is how we change the world. Industry jargon about partnership, collaboration and interdisciplinary projects peppers the language, meetings and literature of the not-for-profit world. Without a network, non-profits end up working in what is called “a silo” – and silos are less effective and efficient than their interconnected and even interdependent counterparts. For decades, local non-profits have found ways to partner and leverage their strengths in Lawrence and surrounding areas. The Ballard Center, a low-income childcare center in North Lawrence, has long utilized partners to provide the TOYS, or Take Our Youth Shopping event, at holiday time to its students every year. Hallmark provides funds and McDonald’s provides breakfast to every child enrolled
Megan Stuke // photography
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Jason Dailey
at the Ballard Center. The children are escorted to breakfast and then shopping by their own personal law enforcement officer, spending up to $100 per child on gifts for them and their family for Christmas. This small act resonates with children who need to feel seen and to have safe and positive interactions with law enforcement at a young age. Lawrence’s Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) saw a need during the pandemic and quickly developed a plan to have virtual support groups with residents of Presbyterian Manor, a senior living facility. Jill Craft, the community outreach specialist at VNA, says, “While this partnership is fairly new, it has been nice working with such knowledgeable and compassionate professionals – both from Lawrence Presbyterian Manor as well as VNA’s hospice team. It is impressive to see the wealth of knowledge the two teams hold and their willingness to help support the Lawrence community.” “Caring for our community may benefit our bottom line in the long run,” Craft explains. But she says the important thing is offering this particular support to residents of Presbyterian Manor regardless of their ability to pay. Craft asserts this project may have revolutionized the way VNA does many of their support groups in the future. They have embraced the online platform for the groups and realize this might be an effective model for service delivery far into the future. Through this partnership, lives have been enriched, and organizations have learned new and innovative strategies.
