Recently, I was given the opportunity to give a presentation on “The Impact of Collaboration” to Leadership Chester County, a partnership of United Way of Chester County, West Chester University and the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry.

I spoke to the cohort about the role of community partnerships and why they are vital to nonprofit agencies. Through giving this presentation I gained a new perspective and appreciation on the importance of implementing successful collaborations. In this day and age, the success of any organization is dependent on the cultivation of relationships. Collaboration is at the heart of every type of business and is a key driver in the overall performance of an organization. 

Over the course of the past few years, ACHIEVEability has made huge strides in securing long lasting relationships with collaborative partners. We have been incredibly fortunate to have partnered with the People’s Emergency Center, Ready, Willing & Able, the Partnership CDC, top Philadelphia chef Marc Vetri, and Vanguard, our 2011 Volunteer of the Year awardee, just to name a few. I truly believe that without the support and dedication from these partnering entities, much of what we are seeking to achieve would not be possible. 

In early 2011, ACHIEVEability collaborated with the People’s Emergency Center to address the computer and Internet access issue in West Philadelphia. Through the Freedom Rings Project, the ACHIEVEability Community Office has become a viable computer center for West Philadelphia residents, providing a computer lab boasting ten new computers and ongoing computer training and classes. We believe by providing this service we will help better connect our local residents to the rapidly growing social community, increasing their chances to gain valuable opportunities to better their lives. 

ACHIEVEability and numerous staff from Vanguard have been working collaboratively over the past several years in various areas of interest such as volunteer service projects and technology initiatives. Most recently, Vanguard provided the volunteer services of numerous staff to help develop, plan and implement ACHIEVEability’s largest fundraiser to date, 2012 Food for Thought. With the help of Vanguard volunteers, we were able to successfully raise more than $342,000 in crucial funds to support more families in our Family Self-Sufficiency Program.   

Ultimately, ACHIEVEability relies on the support of collaborative partners to help deliver its services to break the generational cycle of poverty for single parent, low income families. The depth and mutual benefits of these relationships have led to many successes in various sectors of our agency.  We are always looking for the next opportunity to cultivate new relationships that will increase our impact on our families, our communities and our Commonwealth.