The Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario (EFSNWO) is a charitable organization with a mandate to support and advocate for women who are in prison, transitioning back into the community, and at risk of criminalization.
Through responsive, compassionate, and non-judgmental support, EFSNWO helps to build healthy communities and reduce incarceration.
“The primary benefit of working with Laridae was having someone with the knowledge and expertise work alongside us in the development of our operational review and plan, always keeping us on track and guiding us in the direction that would most benefit our organization.”
– Jennifer McKeown, Development & Communications Coordinator
How were we able to help The Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario Solve, Change and Soar?
Solve: Understanding the Challenges of Growth
Over the past two years, EFSNWO had grown quite significantly, in staffing and breadth of programs, services, and infrastructure. Most recently, the organization embarked on an ambitious journey of launching a Transitional Housing pilot project, to further support women in need.
EFSNWO recognized that continued, sustainable growth would require an analysis of their current state and capacity, and a clear plan to strengthen their foundation, identify opportunities for improvement, and strengthen their positioning within the communities they serve and among their stakeholders.
Change: Identifying Areas for Organizational Improvement
EFSNWO engaged Laridae to systematically review the core components of their organization, identify and prioritize areas in need of future improvement, and work with them to develop their first operational plan.
Through the project, Laridae engaged EFSNWO’s staff and volunteers to ensure the plans reflected and responded to the needs of those they serve and the realities of their environment. A current-state assessment and analysis was conducted to benchmark against sector best practices, supported by Imagine Canada’s Standards Program for Canada’s Charities and Nonprofits.
Soar: A Framework to Guide Next Steps
The operational review is focused and actionable, sorted into short, medium, and longer-term priority items, with a framework to guide next steps at an ambitious but achievable pace.
As we finalize the operational plan, EFSNWO is already moving ahead with implementing key foundational pieces, to ensure they are well-positioned to continue meeting the needs of those they serve, in alignment with their mission and vision. These plans will support EFSNWO as they empower clients—building their confidence, strength and resilience to overcome systemic and individual barriers.
Looking for Help with Your Organization’s Growth?
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