For congregations working on developing effective community outreach programs, EHF can offer consulting support to help you assess, design and implement the programs. Members of the EHF staff have expertise in public health, mental health, Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), community organizing, facilitation, communication and other areas. We’re available to serve as thought partners in your outreach efforts. We’re also developing an inventory of consultants and organizational partners who can assist with identifying needs and developing initiatives. EHF can provide financial support for congregations to work with these consultants and partner groups.
Some of the ways consultants can help include:
- Assessing the overall approach to mission and outreach work
- Assisting in the identification of needs and community resources
- Providing connections to community resources and helping to build effective and sustainable partnerships
- Support for planning and program development
- Facilitation to keep your planning process focused and on track
- Assistance in communicating your program to your congregation and beyond
For example, Trinity Marble Falls has been working to improve food security efforts in their community. They’re hoping to move from a patchwork of individual congregations and groups providing food to a more comprehensive initiative to respond to hunger in Burnet County. EHF Congregational Engagement Officer Lisa Madry developed a training for the church’s Outreach Committee members to help them identify the people they will need to partner with and prepare them to build relationships to support the initiative.
We encourage you to talk with us about your specific needs. You may have someone in mind you would like to work with or we can help connect you with a consultant or resource person.
Here are some examples of topics and consultants who may be of help to congregations:
- Building partnerships with community groups; health care and social enrollment
Jean Kegler served as the Executive Director of Episcopal Community Health Outreach Services (ECHOS) for 10 years and has a wealth of experience in developing and leading congregational outreach programs within the Diocese. At ECHOS, her responsibility was to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable and at-risk individuals by eliminating the disparities in access to healthcare, education and job training. Jean is also a long-time member of Church of the Epiphany and served as clerk of the vestry and is very familiar with Episcopal churches. Jean is experienced with building organizations and moving ideas into action. She can be especially helpful for congregations interested in exploring the role they can play in expanding access to health care and other social services in their community. - Identifying community needs and building networks; school-based partnerships
Todd Litton founded C Change Consulting to connect nonprofits to one another – and the communities they work with – to make deeper, long-lasting change in our community as a whole. Prior to founding C Change, Todd led Citizen Schools Texas as Executive Director in Houston and Austin for six years. He worked to meaningfully expand the learning day for more than 2,000 low-income middle school students. He also worked to build afterschool programs that included academic support and hands-on apprenticeships. Todd is currently working with congregational leaders from St. James’ Houston to conduct a thorough analysis and survey of the community’s needs and resources to inform and guide St. James’ missional outreach efforts in the community.
- Strategic planning and leadership development and group facilitation
Betsy Aylin
is a facilitator specializing in strategic planning, board facilitation and leadership development. Betsy has more than 30 years experience working with non-profit, for-profit and faith-based organizations to help these organizations and their leaders discern a path to the future that serves the purpose of the organization, navigating through challenges and building on strengths. Betsy specializes in leadership development, facilitation of meetings and retreats, building cohesive and effective teams and coaching. She guides leaders through an assessment of their organization, team or ministry to discover creative strategies and actions to strengthen the organization. In addition to her extensive experience in business settings, Betsy has led strategic planning for groups like El Buen Samaritano and St. Matthew’s Austin. She is currently working with Good Shepherd on the Hill on the outreach planning for their new campus. Betsy has also served as a church education director.
Contact Us
If you want to learn more or talk about how EHF assistance or consultants may help your community outreach ideas or programs, email us to set up a time to discuss your needs.