Issue 4

"This training was a great value, helping community-based organizations learn how to better plan and design projects while also building a rich peer network." --Claudia Kirk, United Way of New Bedford.

Building Capacity in New Bedford

When representatives from the United Way of New Bedford and the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts (CEDC-SM) first met with Community Builder Michael Eschleman, they knew exactly what they needed from him. The community-based organizations (CBOs) in New Bedford, MA, like so many CBOs across America, wanted to be fully engaged in the local planning process, but lacked capacity. In order to be viable partners in local planning, the small CBOs in New Bedford needed to improve their ability to design and manage high-quality community development programs. To help build the CBO’s capacity, the representatives from the local United Way and CEDC-SM sought Michael’s help.

Drawing from his 14 years of experience in international development, Eschleman shared a training model he used extensively in Paraguay and Bolivia, an eight step "Building Blocks" model for project design and management. The Building Blocks program was adapted from a model utilized by the Peace Corps to prepare volunteers and their in-country counterparts to present more viable grant proposals, plan better projects, more accurately assess capital need, and ultimately implement more successful projects. Claudia Kirk of United Way of New Bedford and Corinn Williams of CEDC-SM liked the model for building capacity and requested that Eschleman conduct the training for New Bedford community-based organizations.

Eschleman translated the material from Spanish to English and led evening sessions on the "Building Blocks" for seventeen representatives from nine different organizations in July, August, and September.

"A lot of the time, smaller organizations and community groups are intimidated by these processes," said Eschleman. "This model helps people and organizations develop realistic action plans and focus on what tasks to tackle."

Adapted for New Bedford organizations, the Building Blocks model includes techniques for participatory needs assessment, problem identification, creation of alternative solutions, action planning and feasibility, and evaluation. Eschleman encouraged organizations to send multiple representatives so that the planning methods could be more effectively integrated into day-to-day operations.

"This training was a great value, helping community-based organizations learn how to better plan and design projects while also building a rich peer network," said Claudia Kirk, who runs the Community Building mini-grants program for the New Bedford United Way. "All participants in the training program clearly saw that each organization is a part of the puzzle and they have to work together collaboratively to develop effective programs for New Bedford."

"Michael gave HUD a new face, helping create a supportive community among course participants," said Kirk. "When the course was finished, participants asked for another session to continue their learning experience."

At this time, four of the nine participating organizations are utilizing approaches from the course. Eschleman continues to support these organizations by providing one-on-one assistance to course graduates. Eschleman’s efforts are an example of how Community Builders are not just connecting potential HUD customers to federal programs but are also fostering collaboration and helping to improve the effectiveness of organizations that work to meet community needs.