Molly Beck Dean is the Director of WeGo Together for Kids, a nonprofit organization collaborating with over 60 community partners to support West Chicago families and their children from birth to 12th grade. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has excelled in program development, networking, and event planning, contributing significantly to the organization’s efforts to address issues like housing, food insecurity, and literacy in the community. Molly’s dedication to working with young people is evident in her faith-based work, where she has served as a speaker, teacher, and preacher.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [2:24] Molly Beck Dean talks about WeGo Together for Kids and its 20-year impact
- [6:31] Molly’s life-long mission of youth-centric work before WeGo Together for Kids
- [9:05] The challenges faced in sustaining a nonprofit organization
- [13:55] The importance of adapting services to fit the evolving needs of the community
- [16:31] WeGo Together for Kids’ engagement and outreach strategies
- [18:36] Advice for other nonprofit directors
- [20:06] Molly’s approach to work-life balance in nonprofit leadership
In this episode…
A united community where diverse services and resources converge can create a transformative impact. Picture a central hub, a nexus of collaboration, enhancing the lives of children from infancy to high school graduation. How can such an approach change the lives of children, from birth to high school seniors?
Molly Beck Dean, a nonprofit director with a heart for justice, discusses how WeGo Together for Kids has grown over 20 years to become a collaborative force in the West Chicago region. With over 60 community partners, she highlights how the organization acts as a central point to maximize resources and impact for children facing economic need, food insecurity, literacy challenges, and the effects of trauma. Molly shares the story of the organization’s origins, its mission to work with youth, and the constant evolution of its services to meet changing community needs, exemplified by the recent initiative of increasing physical health opportunities for children.
In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Molly Beck Dean, Director of WeGo Together for Kids, about building collaborative networks for community impact. Molly talks about WeGo Together for Kids and its 20-year impact, the challenges of sustaining a nonprofit organization, WeGo Together for Kids’ engagement and outreach strategies, and advice for other nonprofit directors.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Quotable moments:
- “We maximize resources to maximize impact — duplicating efforts doesn’t help anyone if we’re not communicating schedules and services.”
- “A community’s needs change; we must constantly ask if what we’re doing is what the community needs.”
- “When the community’s needs change, our mission adapts to meet them.”
- “I’ve been blessed to surround myself with people who inspire me, whom I learn from, and have a good time with.”
- “When you work with people you really like and trust, some of it gets a little easier.”
Action Steps:
- Collaborate with other organizations and community partners to align visions and goals: This prevents duplicating efforts, ensuring resources and services are directed efficiently toward a shared goal.
- Prioritize adaptability to meet changing community needs: It allows organizations to remain relevant and effective in providing aid and services.
- Engage in active community participation to identify and address needs: Being present and engaging with recipients uncovers grassroots requirements for impactful assistance.
- Diversify funding sources while avoiding mission creep: This is vital for sustainability, ensuring continued operation and impact without straying from the core mission and goals.
- Foster a workplace environment that includes mutual respect, trust, and enjoyment: This encourages increased productivity and job satisfaction, which is crucial for long-term commitment and success in mission-driven roles.
Sponsor for this episode…
Today’s episode is sponsored by Paul Gregory Media, an 18-year-old digital marketing agency in downtown Naperville, Illinois.
They are one of the few thousand Certified B Corporations worldwide, demonstrating PGM as a leader of a global movement to use business as a force for good, meeting high standards of accountability, transparency, and community involvement. They have been trusted by hundreds of organizations since 2006.
PGM is recognized as one of the top marketing agencies in the region, earning more awards than many of its competitors combined. They have the passion, commitment, and expertise to get it done.
To learn more about the services PGM offers or how they can support you with your marketing needs, visit www.paulgregorymedia.com or email them at [email protected].
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