Foundation’s Peer-Learning Pilot Marks First Year

“We call it a peer-learning, capacity-building cohort pilot,” said project designer and leader Perri Rosheger, the Foundation’s Executive Director of Constituent Relations and Program valuation. The inaugural cohort included members from Good Samaritan Center, P16Plus Council of Greater Bexar County, Rise Recovery, Say Sí, and the San Antonio Christian Hope Resource Center. Earlier this summer the Foundation celebrated the completion of the project’s first of three years, measured its impact, and asked for feedback from participants.

Rosheger found participating organizations especially valued the relationships they formed with other local leaders and are beginning to collaborate in ways that directly benefit the children and families they serve. Rise Recovery staff provided trauma training for the staff of Say Sí. After the training, Say Sí recognized signs that one of its own participants was food-insecure, showing up to their program hungry. They referred the student and his family to Christian Hope Resource Center (CHRC) for basic need services. A solid working relationship between these three organizations led to better care for a vulnerable family.

The Foundation is continuing its evaluation of this pilot over the summer before kicking off design for year two. A second cohort will be announced this month and begin learning together later this fall.

FEEDBACK FROM FIRST-YEAR PARTICIPANTS

“It was important for me to be able to make connections with the other organizational leaders to not only hear our work validated but make connections as to how all our work informs each other’s and how issues that affect them also affect me or who we’re trying to serve.”

“Engaging in reflective conversation with others’ experience in similar work was extremely beneficial. It affirmed things I do as a leader and also helped me see what others do differently that I can do better.”

“Time away and unplugged and connected to colleagues, mentors and friends was invaluable. I was able to lend my ear, use my voice and have some thoughtful time working on problems that I’ve learned aren’t isolated or unique to my situation.”

“We are all committed to a similar vision for our city, with our missions sitting at different points in the journey. Building relationship and trust is what makes me want to partner with these organizations. Knowing about what they do is good, and creates pathways, but the best partnerships are built on trust, communication, and shared values that can only be built in an environment where we can get to know each other.”