OUR THEORY OF CHANGE ON ITS FEET™
Because Justice Matters builds pathways to brighter futures for women and girls in urban communities.
LIFE-CHANGING RESULTS OF
BECAUSE JUSTICE MATTERS WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT CUMULATIVE REPORT 2013–2020
ANALYSIS & REPORT BY
www.becausejusticematters.org
1
BECAUSE JUSTICE MATTERS (BJM) is an extension of YWAM, a nonprofit organization based in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco with a mission to: •
spark a cultural shift for women
•
expand San Francisco women's experience of holistic healing and freedom
•
support an integrated life that embraces spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental dimensions
•
prepare generations of grassroot leaders who work authentically to produce social change
To advance this mission, BJM’s WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT builds intentional relationships with women living on the streets, in isolated, one-room apartments, and in the homeless shelters of the Tenderloin. BJM serves women who have been wounded in relationships. We believe we all find healing in relationships that offer respect and encouragement.
www.becausejusticematters.org
2
Two Historical Women’s Department Activities: 1.
Nail Day. Once monthly, we open our doors for women in the community to join us for fellowship, free manicures, and art. This provides an invaluable opportunity for women seeking safety and rest in the midst of hardships. As we sit and listen to their stories, we build long-term relationships. The women create strong bonds with us and with each other.
2.
Healing Groups. Our healing groups respond to the needs of women to find emotional and spiritual restoration and change. In groups like Chit Chat Café, Art for the Heart, Freedom in Forgiveness, Boundaries in Relationships, and others, women learn to hear God’s voice while integrating therapy techniques with worship and prayer. Women experience God’s comfort and healing, which leads to forgiveness and trauma recovery.
Historical Snapshot. By 2015, the Women’s Department was well-established in the Tenderloin, having reached well over 1,000 local women per year with our weekly Art for the Heart classes, Creative Arts Summer Program, Bible studies, massage parlor prayer walks, and spiritual outreach. Our Nail Day program alone was serving over 600 women annually. BJM was partnering with ten churches and five nonprofits to provide needed services and referrals. 2016 was a year of transition. We hosted a two-day training about experienced and vicarious trauma, attended by 45 women from other nonprofits, churches, and ministries. 2017 was a year of deepening relationships with women from the community. Our Art for the Heart program and, later, a forgiveness group and movie day created a small, but consistent community of women caring for each other. Deeper relationships yielded increased need-meeting. As an example, when one woman lost her dentures, BJM core donors raised $1,500 to replace them and purchase new glasses. In 2018, we created a healing and recovery group, Chit Chat Café, which integrated 12-Step principles with Scripture, selfawareness, and Immanuel Prayer/healing work. This intentional space to talk about sobriety and addiction established a community of support that proved beneficial to participants. One staffer launched the EdenMade department, which focuses on women working in the adult entertainment industry. It became necessary to switch Nail Day from a weekly to a monthly event, which continued to be a nurturing, safe source of self-care and routine for the women who relied on it. Close to 300 women were still able to participate. 2019 was the first complete year of monthly, rather than weekly, Nail Day events. A group of consistent volunteers built intentional relationships with women and each other. Two staff provided one-on-one mentoring and supportive friendships with six women. While Chit Chat Café closed due to lack of staff and volunteers, each participant was supported in creating a self-care plan including spiritual, personal, and next-step goals. COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place protocols in 2020 resulted in shut down of Nail Days for Women’s Department. The two staff continued one-on-one outreach and relationships with a small group of core women via phone calls, Zoom gatherings, and food delivery. Volunteers and core team members were invited to participate in BJM Zoom prayer gatherings on Wednesday mornings and evenings. We collaborated with City Hope to provide meals for women and responded individually to referrals.
We aim to build a vibrant, mutual community of women empowered to seek and embrace a healthier lifestyle, leading to a clearer sense of identity, value, and better function in practical, daily life. www.becausejusticematters.org
3
Theory of Change. The results in this report are based on data collected using SEED Impact’s Theory of Change on Its Feet™. This framework guides our visioning, goal-setting, and ongoing assessment of results for each BJM department and the organization as whole. Our Women’s Department team began by clarifying our vision. We then translated the vision to define measurable, progressive results for each outcome target. Achieving our short and medium-term results greatly increases the likelihood that long-range, life-changing outcomes can be attained. This is the outcome performance model we use:
Upon conducting data analysis for this report, SEED Impact attests that Women’s Department's: •
goals are tied to a larger “theory of change” and vision for long-term social impact
•
staff have been diligent in tracking outcomes that make a difference
•
outcomes are advancing year-to-year
Women’s Department Outcome Targets: 1.
Women in the Community
2.
Community Resources
3.
Women’s Department Volunteers and Mentors
www.becausejusticematters.org
When sheltering in place forced the shutdown of our Women’s Department activities, it was easy to become discouraged and think nothing was happening. Then, as we compiled the monthly numbers for one-on-one phone calls, Zoom meetings, texts, and food deliveries, we realized a LOT was happening. A lot in tiny moments.
4
1. WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY THEORY OF CHANGE
Our Department has a long history of forging deep and long-lasting relationships with women in the community. We use Nail Day outreach, together with organization and church partnerships, to build trust and safety, address physical and spiritual needs, and make personalized referrals.
2020 OUTCOME PERFORMANCE • 2 women developed relationships with BJM staff and volunteers • 3 connected consistently and strengthened ties • 2 embracing leadership roles and discipleship plans 0.2 percent increase in total impact, July 2019 to July 2020
WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY IMPACTED BY WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT 2013–2020 CUMULATIVE OUTCOMES: 157 Love-to-See (5%) Embracing leadership roles and personal discipleship plans 661 Like-to-See (21%) Connected consistently and strengthened ties 2265 Expect-to-See (74%) Developed relationships with BJM staff and volunteers www.becausejusticematters.org
5
2. COMMUNITY RESOURCES THEORY OF CHANGE
The Women’s Department has nurtured contacts in numerous churches, connecting with women who then volunteer at Nail Day. We maintain continued personal connections with professionals in addiction, mental health, and social service fields, as well as in the hospitality industry. We are strategic in promoting opportunities for collaboration that highlight partnership strengths.
2020 OUTCOME PERFORMANCE • 1 organization developed partnership plan with BJM • 3 launched mutually beneficial programming • 0 developing collaborative model to impact community 6 percent increase in total impact, July 2019 to July 2020
COMMUNITY RESOURCES IMPACTED BY WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT 2013–2020 CUMULATIVE OUTCOMES: 11 Love-to-See (17%) Developing collaborative model to impact community 27 Like-to-See (41%) Launched mutually beneficial programming 28 Expect-to-See (42%) Developed partnership plan with BJM
www.becausejusticematters.org
6
3. VOLUNTEERS AND MENTORS THEORY OF CHANGE
The Women’s Department excels in relational engagement with volunteers. We have consistent communication with volunteers and provide opportunities for meaningful engagement. We clearly and passionately share our vision and heart.
2020 OUTCOME PERFORMANCE • 1 volunteer gave of their time and support • 3 expanded roles and level of involvement with BJM • 5 providing increasingly valuable leadership 1 percent increase in total impact, July 2019 to July 2020
VOLUNTEERS AND MENTORS IMPACATED BY WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT 2013–2020 CUMULATIVE OUTCOMES: 52 Love-to-See (6%) Providing increasingly valuable leadership 119 Like-to-See (14%) Expanded roles and level of involvement with BJM 668 Expect-to-See (80%) Gave of their time and support, and built connection with BJM
www.becausejusticematters.org
7
www.becausejusticematters.org
8
www.becausejusticematters.org
9
www.becausejusticematters.org
10
www.becausejusticematters.org
11
Contact SEED Impact for more information on our Theory of Change on Its Feet™ FOLLOW US
www.becausejusticematters.org
12