The importance of effective community engagement in nonprofit organizations is often overlooked. Professionals like Elizabeth Johnson are dedicating themselves to shifting this perspective. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in child welfare and community outreach, she brings deep expertise and commitment to her position as Director of Community Engagement at a Texas-based nonprofit foster care agency. Her career path and insights provide valuable lessons for those aspiring to create positive change in their communities.
As social issues grow increasingly intricate, community engagement plays an ever more vital role. It acts as a link between institutions and the populations they aim to assist, cultivating mutual understanding, trust, and collaborative problem-solving. Her efforts highlight how thoughtful community engagement can reshape the landscape of social services, especially in child welfare and foster care. By weaving together resources, relationships, and innovative strategies, she demonstrates that community engagement is not an afterthought in social services, but a core element in fostering enduring positive change.
Her approach to community engagement extends beyond conventional methods, embracing a comprehensive view that acknowledges the interrelated nature of social challenges.
"We're not just focusing on one issue in isolation. We're building a support network that can tackle multiple needs at once."
This outlook has enabled her to develop programs and collaborations that not only benefit children in foster care but also reinforce the broader community fabric. Through her work, she is redefining community engagement, proving that when executed skillfully, it can serve as a powerful driver of social transformation.
Elizabeth's Journey and Approach
Elizabeth began her career in child welfare, working in various roles, including adoptions and recruitment. Her innate curiosity and desire to understand people led her to expand her horizons. As she explains, "I wanted to grow and learn new things outside of those roles." Last year, this drive for growth led her to complete a graduate degree in strategic leadership.
For her, community engagement goes beyond simple partnerships. It's comprehensive and inclusive. She elaborates,
"It has a spectrum from big to small, and it's also about building those communities within communities so people will know what resources are available and how to access them."
Her approach focuses on creating connections that benefit not just those in the child welfare system, but the entire community.
Her transition to community engagement was a natural progression. She recognized a gap in leadership and organizational structure within many nonprofits and wanted to be part of the solution. "I just wanted to be part of that change and that impact on two sides. One was building better leaders while becoming a better leader myself," she shares.
Measuring Success in Child Welfare
Her metrics for success are clear and deeply personal.
"My measure is really when the child tells you something is working, then I know I've hit a home run."
Another indicator is the continued use of resources by other professionals. She explains, "When other professionals around me want to continue to use a resource we're providing, or they continue to come to me to find new resources for them, it's then that I know that we have built a circle of trust."
Community engagement isn't without obstacles, ranging from systemic issues to individual resistance. Elizabeth's balanced approach allows her to navigate complex situations effectively. She notes,
"I feel like there's that window of opportunity. If you move too slow, you'll miss it; if you move too fast, you'll miss it. You must find the sweet spot."
One significant challenge she encountered was the difference in approaches between states. When she moved from Missouri to Texas, she found that Texas was "a little bit behind the curve" in terms of progressive child welfare practices. However, rather than becoming discouraged, she saw this as an opportunity to drive change.
Essential Skills for Aspiring Professionals
Elizabeth believes certain skills are crucial for success in community engagement:
1. Open-mindedness: "You've got to be open to new experiences, including things that you may be uncomfortable with."
2. Comfort with discomfort: "You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable," she states, emphasizing that growth often happens outside our comfort zones.
3. Willingness to ask questions: "You don't know what you don't know and the only way you find out is by asking questions," she explains.
4. Active listening: "Listening is one of the best skills that I feel like a person engaging in the community can do," she emphasizes.
5. Clarity in communication: she stresses the importance of "being very clear on what the need is" to avoid misunderstandings.
The Impact and Future of Community Engagement
Her work has created a network of support for children in the foster care system, connecting them with resources that might otherwise be inaccessible. From partnering with martial arts centers to collaborating with organizations like DFW Angels, her efforts have expanded opportunities for children in care.
One of her favorite programs exemplifies her creative approach. She collaborated with The Art Station to provide both art and talk therapy, which proved particularly beneficial for middle school-aged girls struggling with traditional methods. "The group provided art therapy combined with talk therapy. This combination proved beneficial for every single child we referred to them," she enthuses.
"I think that's such a beautiful thing that people are willing to use their business and say, 'We'll take a cut from our profit if that means we can help somebody else.'"
As the field evolves, she sees community engagement as a crucial tool in building wellness within communities.
"I feel like community engagement is also building wellness for those around us. It's proving that everyone you come across has value."
She emphasizes the need for proactive rather than reactive approaches, stating, "Part of my role is to encourage everyone that I work with in our agency to ask questions about what other resources these children need. We need to do it in a proactive way versus a reactive manner."
Lessons from Elizabeth's Journey
Elizabeth's experience offers valuable insights for anyone looking to make a difference:
1. Be curious about people's stories: "I want to know what their story is and how did you get here?" she explains.
2. Treat everyone with equal respect: "From the janitor to the principal, you should treat them with the same respect inside and outside your home, out on the street, wherever, whoever," she advises.
3. Approach life fearlessly: "I don't live life with a lot of fear," she states.
4. Build meaningful relationships: "I want people to know that I was able to build a connection and relationship that led people to want to interact with me," she explains.
5. Be available and dependable: "I always try to be there when others need me to be," she reflects.
Final Thoughts
Elizabeth's belief that "People need people, that's first and foremost," captures the core of community engagement. By cultivating curiosity, building relationships, and staying open to new experiences, everyone can contribute to creating stronger, more connected communities.
Going forward, community engagement will become even more vital. The work of professionals like Elizabeth showcases the power of human bonds and the significant impact of collective support. Her journey can serve as inspiration for anyone looking to engage with their community. Choosing to take that first step might lead to unexpected positive changes for you and your community.
Editor's Note: Since this interview was conducted, Elizabeth has taken on the role of Evaluation Manager at ACH Child and Family Services in Fort Worth, Texas.
Additional Information
Here are a few of Elizabeth's favorite organizations, books and podcasts:
Upbring is a Texas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse by empowering children, families, and communities. As one of Texas' leading children's service providers, Upbring offers foster care, and adoption services, and implements innovative approaches to advance child wellbeing across the state
The Art Station is a nonprofit organization based in Fort Worth, Texas that offers individual and group art therapy and community programs to children and adults. Their mission is to provide a safe and encouraging environment where artmaking can be used to promote personal growth, uplift our hearts, and help heal our minds and bodies.
DFW Angels' mission is to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.
BOOK: Drama Free by Nedra Glover is an empowering guide by licensed therapist and bestselling relationship expert Nedra Glover Tawwab, offering clear advice for identifying and managing dysfunctional family patterns. The book covers topics ranging from emotional neglect to the legacy of addicted or absent parents, providing readers with practical wisdom to break unhealthy cycles and move forward in their lives.
BOOK: Switch by Chip and Dan Heath explores how to create change in our lives, businesses, and the world around us. The Heath brothers present a framework for understanding the interplay between our rational and emotional minds, offering practical strategies to align these often-conflicting aspects and facilitate meaningful transformations.
BOOK: The Cure for Career Quicksand by Reagan Cannon addresses the common problem of feeling stuck or stagnant in one's career. Reagan Cannon likely provides insights and strategies to help readers identify the root causes of their career challenges and offers practical steps to overcome these obstacles, enabling them to regain momentum and achieve professional growth.
PODCAST: How I Built This with Guy Raz explores the stories behind some of the world's best-known companies. In each episode, he interviews innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists, delving into their journeys of triumphs and failures in building successful businesses.