As we turn the final corner of 2015, it’s with deep gratitude that I look back at the last year in the life of Eastside Pathways: new partner organizations, new collaboratives, more passionate individuals jumping into the movement, and certainly significant, the positive outcomes achieved thus far as we continue our journey together to make a difference in the lives of all children on the Eastside.
The outcomes of what we are doing together are visible and gratifying. To name a few: a decline in tardiness rates district-wide, more kids served through an enriched summer program, and an upward trajectory on a once-stubbornly-flat third grade reading passing rate. Read our scorecard to know more about these outcomes.
We know we have to get to outcomes such as these, and more, to ultimately support all children in our community. This isn’t new. What I want to recognize, and for which I am most grateful, is the how we are working together. The more I do this work, the more I am confident that this model—collective impact—is the game-changer that will allow us to build systems to sustainably support all children.
Throughout the last four-and-a-half years, we’ve only just begun to experience the power and potential of a community working together differently. This approach, however, is not for the weak or weary. I’m grateful for the warriors—the individuals and organizational partners—who have the courage to step out of isolation, actively expose their weaknesses and strengths through data reviews, do things as they’ve never done before, and most important, stay at the proverbial table when answers are not immediately apparent and walking away is so much easier.
Make no mistake, this is not process for process’ sake. This is a process with a purpose. After decades of organizations delivering programs and services in isolation, it is through this process that we agree on common goals, track progress the same way, and continue to do what each does best while identifying new ways to work together to accelerate change across systems, all while leveraging community resources and ultimately strengthening individual organizations so we deliver better outcomes for all children.
I’m grateful for a city government department which is willing to change the way in which they work internally so their outcomes are not only efficient for their own needs, but also align with and support the agreed-upon goals for Eastside Pathways. I’m grateful for a school district that refuses to work in isolation and invites the support of community-based organizations via the partnership to problem-solve together. And I am certainly grateful for the countless hours of thoughtful participation and leadership of so many without whom this way of working together would not be possible, and thus better outcomes for children would not happen.
It is for this, I offer a deep and heartfelt thank you.
Lastly, I want to wish each of you and your families a warm Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you too will have the opportunity to reflect upon that which you have gratitude, find most gratifying, and for which you are most grateful.
Warmly,
Stephanie Cherrington,
Executive Director