Recap of Second Grantee Forum

On February 22, TPC hosted its second virtual grantee networking event. The focus of the conversations was “The Great Resignation.” Attendees voiced challenges they face with recruiting and retaining staff, but also shared solutions with each other, including:

• Adding mental health stipends or funding mental health benefits with no out-of-pocket expenses;
• Renaming sick days to “wellness days,” providing employees with extra days off after peak workload times, and modeling taking time off as a leader;
• Giving employees flexibility as to when and where they work (noting they struggle to balance this with team-building activities that are best suited to in-person time); and
• Creating recruitment and internal promotion ladders, starting with internships. 

All attendees were struggling to meet the demands for higher compensation in today’s labor market and voiced appreciation for TPC’s willingness to provide unrestricted funds, which they are able to use for the recruitment and retention of talent.

When asked the last question about what the future looks like for their organizations, each attendee mentioned hybrid service models. As before, our grantees found that adding virtual programming during the pandemic helped them to meet more of their clients where they were at the time. A new concept shared in this discussion took the hybrid/virtual conversation to the next level, as some organizations shared that they are shifting away from traditional galas and fundraisers to a combination of virtual events and smaller, more intimate events with a focus on relationship-building with their donors and communities.

These forums have been very well received by our grantees, who find them stimulating, productive, and supportive. They represent just one of the many “Connections” offered via TPC.

Volunteer Opportunities

In March and April, Dignity Matters will be trying to restock their shelves, which are typically full of products but, because of demands during COVID, are now pretty bare. This demand is not going away: the need is great and supply chain problems only exacerbate the low inventory of products. Please help close the gap by contributing to Dignity Matters’ Urgent March Needs – Amazon Wishlist.

Saturday, March 26. Project Citizenship, in cooperation with the City of Boston, will hold its seventh annual Citizenship Day. If you are interested in lending a hand, volunteers are needed to help eligible future citizens complete a 20-page citizenship application, which is the first major step in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. This will be an in-person event, with Covid-19 protocols in place. You can register to volunteer at https://projectcitizenship.org/citday2022-volunteerregistration/ or email McKenzie Bell to learn more.

Sunday, May 22. Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) finds permanent adoptive homes for children and teens in foster care. MARE’s largest and most important fundraiser of the year, Jordan’s 5K Run/Walk for Adoption will be held on Sunday, May 22nd. Learn more here or even better, form a TPC team!

BEST Hospitality Training is looking for TPC volunteers to practice interviewing skills with graduates of its healthcare environmental services and hotel housekeeping training programs. Practice interview sessions will be held virtually between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm the weeks of:

• March 28 through April 8
• May 2 through May 13
• June 6 through June 17

If you have a knack for résumé crafting, please volunteer for one of the sessions below:

• April 18 through April 22
• May 23 through May 27

To sign up or for information, contact BEST staff member Lori Sylvia. New volunteers are required to attend a one-hour virtual training session

Grantee Impact #1: Fathers’ Uplift

Liaisons: Carol Berman and Ruth Ferguson

Fathers’ UpLift operates the nation’s first outpatient mental health clinic to be oriented primarily around fatherhood and fatherlessness. Included in its services are coaching programming, youth programming, and running the “Male Engagement Institute,” through which social workers and students of social work are trained to recognize obstacles unique to fathers and how to respond to them in a constructive manner. Fathers’ UpLift takes a holistic approach to the mental, emotional, and behavioral health of fathers and their families, with a focus on minorities and urban populations. (Read more…)

Grantee Impact #2: RESPOND, Inc.

Liaisons: Ellen Giannuzzi and Clare Robinson

Founded in 1974 by four women, RESPOND, Inc. is New England’s first domestic violence agency and the second in the nation. It addresses domestic violence through a variety of proven prevention, intervention, and education services that promote healthy relationships, long-term safety, and self-sufficiency. This critical work is made possible through its numerous collaborative partnerships with legal, law enforcement, housing, healthcare, and social service agencies in the community. RI’s services are free and confidential for all survivors of domestic abuse, regardless of race, sexual orientation, language, or religion. Its core services include an emergency shelter serving up to 8 families daily; a 24/7 crisis hotline; a safe housing program providing housing search assistance and vouchers; community outreach; and training and education. (Read more…)