Stories of Impact

Transforming Southeast Michigan

Judy - BBB

Will Jones III, volunteer, Black Men Read

Every day, the NEW team is hard at work alongside mission-driven leaders organizations across SE Michigan. But so much of our work happens outside the public eye, it’s hard to fully understand the impact of what we do. So we’re making a better effort at bringing the stories of our work to light. These are just a few of many…

LUNCH BUDDIES

For our friends at Lunch Buddies their vision of a world without hunger is worth striving towards. Each year, they successfully deliver four thousand (4,000) free meals to Washtenaw County youth who would otherwise miss a meal. Since 2020, they’ve worked with thirteen (13) different schools across the county to make sure kids don’t go hungry. And they’ve recently begun sending meals home with students so they get enough to eat on weekends, too. “The free lunches Lunch Buddies provides gives me peace, knowing my babies are getting something to eat every day.” – Lunch Buddies client
Despite their powerful impact in our community, Lunch Buddies was faced with a challenge. “We were having trouble activating our board’s potential. We had all these great people at the table, but we weren’t making the most of their energy.” – Lunch Buddies team member. That’s when they turned to NEW for help, and we’re glad they did! “Lunch Buddies does so much to help feed the kids in our community, we were so excited they gave us a call.” – NEW team member. Over six (6) months, NEW’s Consulting Team came alongside Lunch Buddies’ board members to take on the challenge of training their board in engaging governance practices. During our time together, we convened their board and provided foundational insight into the roles and responsibilities of board members. We co-created Ways of Being to serve as guidance for how folks would show up and work together. And we practiced techniques, like speaking in rounds, that invited everyone to participate in group decision-making. “The NEW team helped us get an understanding of what we were brought together to do, and how to do it in ways that honored all of the diverse people on our board. It was also a lot more fun than I expected.” – Lunch Buddies team member.

Since our time together, Lunch Buddies’ board is “far more effective in helping guide our efforts to end hunger in Washtenaw County.”

We’re proud and grateful to work alongside Lunch Buddies in pursuit of our shared vision of a just and thriving society. “The whole Lunch Buddies team really showed up and leaned into some practices that are contrary to traditional, white supremacist ways of working together. It was amazing to witness their collective and individual growth.” – NEW team member.

GET TO KNOW LUNCH BUDDIES

LUNCH BUDDIES

For our friends at Lunch Buddies their vision of a world without hunger is worth striving towards. Each year, they successfully deliver four thousand (4,000) free meals to Washtenaw County youth who would otherwise miss a meal. Since 2020, they’ve worked with thirteen (13) different schools across the county to make sure kids don’t go hungry. And they’ve recently begun sending meals home with students so they get enough to eat on weekends, too.

“The free lunches Lunch Buddies provides gives me peace, knowing my babies are getting something to eat every day.” – Lunch Buddies client

Despite their powerful impact in our community, Lunch Buddies was faced with a challenge. “We were having trouble activating our board’s potential. We had all these great people at the table, but we weren’t making the most of their energy.” – Lunch Buddies team member. That’s when they turned to NEW for help, and we’re glad they did! “Lunch Buddies does so much to help feed the kids in our community, we were so excited they gave us a call.” – NEW team member.

Over six (6) months, NEW’s Consulting Team came alongside Lunch Buddies’ board members to take on the challenge of training their board in engaging governance practices. During our time together, we convened their board and provided foundational insight into the roles and responsibilities of board members. We co-created Ways of Being to serve as guidance for how folks would show up and work together. And we practiced techniques, like speaking in rounds, that invited everyone to participate in group decision-making.

“The NEW team helped us get an understanding of what we were brought together to do, and how to do it in ways that honored all of the diverse people on our board. It was also a lot more fun than I expected.” – Lunch Buddies team member.

Since our time together, Lunch Buddies’ board is “far more effective in helping guide our efforts to end hunger in Washtenaw County.”

We’re proud and grateful to work alongside Lunch Buddies in pursuit of our shared vision of a just and thriving society. “The whole Lunch Buddies team really showed up and leaned into some practices that are contrary to traditional, white supremacist ways of working together. It was amazing to witness their collective and individual growth.” – NEW team member.

GET TO KNOW LUNCH BUDDIES

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