Presbyterian Homes & Family Services and the Family Alliance

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The Presbyterian Homes & Family Services and the Family Alliance is a nonprofit organization offering community-based services for children, adults and families across the Commonwealth of Virginia. This organization resulted from the merger of the Presbyterian Homes & Family Services (PHFS) and the Family Alliance (FA). It is a clear proof of the benefits of applying the “master the art of adaptation” practice praised in Forces for Good by Crutchfield and McLeod. As a matter of fact, on the one hand, PHFS emerged from the efforts of a group of Presbyterian churches that came together to address their welfare responsibility by founding an orphanage. However, as the status of orphan was changing, the federal government was fostering children’s’ return to a family or community setting rather than group care. Consequently, demand for group homes declined and, although the organization included adult housing services for individuals with disabilities and later on offered a few community-based services, it faced a declining donor base and was losing its relevance. On the other hand, the Family Alliance resulted from a community outreach tentative by several churches in Lynchburg. FA focused on services targeted at the Lynchburg community, fostering neighborhood leadership, young training, prevention, and intervention. However, the organization was approximately 85% funded, thus relied heavily on federal and local grants. As the state of the economy declined, the statewide support on foster care declined. The organization lost funds and had to stretch the funds it had left while keeping the quality of its services. Ultimately, both companies were facing challenges that drew attention to the need to modify their tactics and respond to ... ... middle of paper ... ...t for offering human services and address them through an outcome approach, feasibility analysis, and advocacy in the community. Ultimately, together, the Presbyterian Homes & Family Services and the Family Alliance can better provide for their community and better adapt to changing needs. The organization can further expand its services and programs, and impact more lives by fostering collaboration among nonprofits, inspiring engaged volunteers, sharing leadership and advocating for its cause. However, its current rebranding efforts draw attention to its need to market itself efficiently in order to convey a clear and reliable representation of their vision. Works Cited http://www.phfs.org/about_landing.aspx Crutchfield, Leslie R., and Heather McLeod Grant. Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-impact Nonprofits. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008. Print.

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