“the connection” community consultant group mindi b. levin, ms, ches director, source (student...
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“The Connection” Community Consultant Group
Mindi B. Levin, MS, CHESDirector, SOURCE (Student Outreach Resource Center)
Lainie Rutkow, JD, MPHConnection Program Manager
Overview of “The Connection”
In 2005, the Connection, a community consultant group, was launched in
response to student requests for more short-term service
opportunities in Baltimore.
Overview of “The Connection”
Working in teams, the Connection’s consultants
partner with local community-based
organizations (CBOs) to carry out finite projects
that usually last from 3 – 5 weeks.
Developing Our Name
Connecting:• Students with the Community• Learning with Experience• JHU with Baltimore
Small Working Teams Focus On:
• Strategic Consulting• Fundraising Strategy and Grants• Performance Measurement• Communications Consulting
Sample Connection Projects
Caroline Street Clinic for the Uninsured
Goal: To improve community outreach and address residual community needs (such as HIV testing)
The Connection team developed an intake questionnaire for the clinic. The questionnaire will be administered to people seeking HIV testing by trained counselors.
Sample Connection Projects
Dr. Rayner Browne Elementary School
Goal: To develop a nutrition curriculum for theschool
The Connection team developed a nutrition curriculum (four food groups, portion control, smoking education, hygiene, and heart and GI tract functioning).
Received donations from Whole Foods for taste-testing healthy foods.
Received a $1,000 grant from the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association, which will allow the educational program to continue.
Sample Connection Projects
Environmental Justice Partnership
Goal: Assist with EJP’s 501c3 application
The Connection team drafted a set of bylaws for EJP. The bylaws, which provide a comprehensive overview of EJP’s operations, contain information about EJP’s objectives, membership, board of directors, officers, meetings, fundraising and development, and conflict resolution system.
Sample Connection Projects
The Men’s Center
Goal: Write a grant for the Men’s Center
The Connection team wrote a grant requesting funds to upgrade the Men’s Center’s facilities. In addition, the team developed materials to help the Men’s Center apply for a grant to enhance Lifeskills, the Center’s main program. Created grant template for future use.
Sample Connection Projects
Greater Homewood Community Corporation
Goal: Assist GHCC with evaluating their programs
The Connection team developed basic monitoring and evaluation tools for GHCC’s Youth Development Initiative. Conducted an “Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation” session for GHCC staff; Facilitated a ½ day workshop to further define processes and objectives; Identified a comprehensive set of indicators to be used for monitoring and evaluation of program processes and outcomes; Constructed a set of tools and strategies for data collection that related to the indicators.
Sample Connection Projects
International Rescue Committee
Goal: Create a needs assessment survey for
clientele.
The Connection team developed a survey for refugees who were resettled in the Baltimore area through the IRC. The survey will be used to determine their clients’ satisfaction with the IRC’s services and will help the IRC to determine what additional services it should offer.
Sample Connection Projects
The Men’s Center
Goal: Quality assurance project
The Connection team worked to improve the Men’s Center’s database management to better enable staff to run progress reports on each of its clients. The team delivered an improved database and plans to train the Men’s Center staff in its use.
Connection Support
SOURCE Community-based organizations JHU Alumni Association Faculty and staff YOU!
How to Connect
Fill out a Consultant Profile Form Submit your resume to SOURCE
([email protected]) Projects will be announced on an on-
going basis beginning in September Connection consultants self-select
projects of interest Diverse Connection teams are organized Group leaders are assigned Connect with your CBO and you’re off! SOURCE support, Evaluations
How to Connect
Check us out on the web:
www.jhsph.edu/source/Students/Connection
Want to see what we did last year?
Our 2008-2009 year-end report is online.