2 minute read
TAKE 5: Data driven
TAKE 5
by LAURA MOORE photo by TERAH HOOBLER
MEAGHAN DENNISON is focused on serving the community using the tools that she and her team at Cape Fear Collective have available to them. Applying data science techniques, the organization, led by Dennison as chief executive officer, does project-based work to deliver tools for nonprofits and organizations. By focusing on twenty-one social drivers for health, the data provides organizations with access to “the tools needed to understand the metrics and help the people they serve better,” Dennison says.
WHAT ARE THE CAPE FEAR COLLECTIVE (CFC) INITIATIVES YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF CURRENTLY? “We’ve been working hard to expand access to data with our statewide Healthy Communities NC Dashboard. This innovative tool makes it possible for North Carolina to have shared measurement around the social drivers of health with the potential of putting North Carolina in the top ten for health equity by 2030. Affordable housing is a huge issue and a core mission for us. We’ve worked hard over the last year with our partners and investors to preserve affordable housing in our region with a focus on improving housing quality by completing almost one million in repairs. Finally, we’ve worked closely with CCLCF (Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear) on the Healthy Opportunities Pilot. Referrals are now coming in for the almost fifty organizations providing nonmedical interventions to Medicaid beneficiaries. This pilot is a game changer showing how social interventions around housing, food security, and reliable transportation create healthier communities.” WHO DO YOU HOPE TO SERVE WITH YOUR WORK AT CFC? “At the end of the day, we want to help create an equitable, healthier, and more upward- mobile community. That means working with partners and the community alike on shared metrics and shared goals.” WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR CFC? “My first job is taking care of the Cape Fear Collective team. I’m lucky to have such a talented group. … In the next year, we’re focused on growing our affordable housing platform, renovating and reopening the Driftwood property with Good Shepherd Center and Norco, and launching Mission Driven Motors with Kingdom Cars and the Kairos Center. The transportation program is aimed at providing affordable and reliable cars to our community.” WHY IS DATA IMPORTANT FOR THE WORK OF NONPROFITS? “Data creates a common operating picture and sound decisionmaking. Organizations on the front lines need tools to help them prove impact, understand where their programs could be targeted, and identify partners to engage with to help leverage their work. With common metrics, disparate organizations can rally around a problem and work toward a common goal.” WHAT, PERSONALLY, DO YOU GAIN FROM YOUR WORK? “No one does this work for personal gain. But I am inspired every day by my teammates and partners in Wilmington and beyond. I gain keen insight, knowledge, and inspiration from the talented and dedicated individuals and organizations trying to make things better one day at a time.”W
