Strengths Based
The plan that came out of this process was “asset-based and not a rescue.” In other words, it focused on the Alliance members’ strengths, not their needs.
This case study shows how a champion funder formed an effective collaborative to help females in Des Moines, Iowa during the Casey Foundation’s Making Connections initiative. It outlines the challenges of organization collaboration while presenting the benefits to those served when done correctly.
Having women say they wait for the police instead of accessing the community-based crisis services shows a disconnect between clients in need and the services designed to assist them. Sometimes, the system is just not friendly or easy enough to navigate. The Women’s Alliance story suggests ways to overcome the many barriers organizations face as they try to collaborate and try to provide beneficial services.