Strategic Plan
This document sets out a strategic plan for New Moms, Inc. It reviews strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities; presents a series of statements relating to New Moms' vision, mission, values and objectives; and sets out its proposed strategies and goals.
Vision
The vision of New Moms, Inc. in 4-5 year's time is:
New Moms will be operating from a building of its own, south of Humboldt Park and near Garfield Park and the Austin Neighborhood. The building will house all office and program space. More than twenty years of experience and a 90% success rate in providing life-stabilizing and self-sufficiency services to homeless, at-risk teen moms and their children, as well as the addition of shelter beds will further expand New Moms’ impact and reputation as the “premiere provider” to this vulnerable, and at times, forgotten population.
It is estimated that 26,000 teens experience homelessness in Illinois every year. In urban areas, such as Chicago, it is estimated that 54% of them live in unstable or unsafe conditions. A 2005 Center for Impact Research study reported that 49% of the teens surveyed in Chicago reported being pregnant or parenting. In 2004 New Moms’ Cooperative Living Shelter represented 18% of the beds available for 18-21 year old pregnant and parenting teen moms. By 2009 New Moms’ will provide 50% of beds available to that population with an annual operating budget of $3,000,000. During the expansion period New Moms will have six months of operating expenses as cash reserves. Upon completion of the expansion there will be three months of cash reserves available. Government funding, when available, allows New Moms to expand services. However, while New Moms fully intends to take full advantage of these funds, and will continue to seek additional opportunities, the agency recognizes the unpredictability and risk of dependence on any one funding source. To assure stable cash flow, New Moms will gradually and strategically reduce the overall percentage of government funding to no more than 25% of annual operating budget. This will be accomplished by focusing on growth of existing relationships and cultivation of new ones with individuals, churches, businesses and foundations.
Our technology will allow us to dissect and analyze and generate reports of our financial, donor and volunteer data that provide automated information in a variety of ways. Our website will be attractive and functional and will allow donations via the website. Marketing materials will be contemporary and compelling reflecting the highest level of professionalism. As the premier provider, New Moms will begin to explore finding opportunities and conduct need analysis to determine the feasibility of developing a replicable model that could be marketed to churches and agencies, generating additional revenue sources for the ministry.
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Mission Statement
The central purpose and role of New Moms, Inc. is defined as:
Enable, empower and equip at-risk adolescent parents and their children through Christian-based services and mentoring.
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Corporate Values
The corporate values governing New Moms' development will include the following:
- Servant leadership and accountability at New Moms is casting a vision and providing the resources necessary to allow the team to accomplish that vision. This is portrayed so vividly in John 13:4-5 “so He (Jesus) got up from the meal , took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around His waist.”
- Prudent financial management means making wise, responsible decisions regarding the use of every asset including money, people, programs, facilities and supplies. Jesus told the parable of the three servants and how they managed their master’s money in his absence in Luke 19:11-27.
- Impeccable integrity at New Moms means that we will always do what we say we will. And if we make a mistake, we will be honest and take responsibility. This value is based on I Corinthians 4:2 which says “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
- Relentless affirmation of each person's dignity is our commitment because we believe that all humans were created in God's image. In I Peter 2:17 it says, “Show proper respect to everyone: love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”
- Initiative, creativity and teamwork celebrate and embrace the unique talents that God has given each individual and our need for each person to do what they were created for. Ephesians 4:16 “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
- Trust is the central element of everything we do! We must earn the trust of participants, donors, volunteers, staff and the community. Hebrews 13:18 says “Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorable in every way.”
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Business Objectives
Longer term business objectives of New Moms, Inc. are summarized as:
- To develop into an organization with a strong financial position, able to offer more programs and services to more at-risk pregnant and parenting youth in Chicago.
- To become an organization that others want to replicate and to be known as the premiere provider of services to homeless, at-risk teen parents.
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Key Tactics
The following critical strategies will be pursued by New Moms, Inc.:
- Evaluate Real Estate needs and options.
- Provide consistent donor relationships/communication.
- Develop new funding streams.
- Purchase or build new facility.
- Develop a marketable model of the program.
- Create a strong succession plan for management.
- Increase visibility in Chicago and Illinois.
- Upgrade all technology
The following important strategies will also be followed:
- Develop existing and add new managers for program expansion.
- Create and market parenting workshops.
- Expand opportunities to serve teen fathers.
- Cultivate relationships within the local church community.
- Grow and develop knowledge of existing and new board members.
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Strategic Action Programs
The following strategic action programs will be implemented:
- CEO: 1.Develop a comprehensive business plan within 6 months. 2. Create succession plan to rise up future CEO, COO, CFO within 6-12 months. 3. Sell 3031 W. Armitage within 6-9 months. 4. Initiate efforts to increase public awareness and visibility within the city, state and nation.
- Development Director: 1.Research and develop new non-government funding sources to increase revenue by $500k in 12 months and $1m in 18-24 months. 2. Create new marketing materials, including website within 6 months. 3. Initiate efforts that build and strengthen donor relations; including a focused initiative for potential major donor opportunities.
- Director of Finance: 1. Recruit and hire additional accountant to assist in the daily finance responsibilities within 12 months. 2. Support the CEO and BOD through creation of various financial forecasts and reports. 3. Aggressively evaluate existing procedures to determine how to strengthen financial position and cash flow within 12-18 months.
- Director of Operations: 1. Review technology gaps, needs and options, including costs and recommendations and report to the CEO and board in 6-12 months. 2. Work with BOD Technology Task Force and staff to develop a strategic plan for technology within 12-18 months. 3. Work with Development Director to pursue funding opportunities for technology within 6-18 months.
- Program Director: 1. Develop fee-for-service workshop opportunities within 6-9 months. 2. Begin the process of developing a replicable, marketable agency model by meeting with organizations who express an interest in a New Moms type of program. Work with the Development Director to determine funding feasibility within 12-18 months.
- Board of Directors: 1. Expand BOD to include further leadership including local pastor, real estate or facilities professional, politician and social work/mental health professional. 2. Create additional working committees i.e. Technology, Fundraising.
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