Mission Elevation Success Stories: Judeo-Christian Outreach Center
“If you want to grow in a way that has the potential to expand your territory in all levels, do Mission Elevation ”
— Kristin Ward, Development Director, Judeo Christian Outreach Center
The Judeo-Christian Outreach Center (JCOC) is a community-focused organization that provides essential services to low-income and vulnerable residents including an emergency shelter, a veteran transitional housing program, a food pantry, and a day support program. Recently, JCOC reached a major milestone in their mission to empower communities after beginning renovations for a campus that will create 38 new supportive housing homes for people experiencing homelessness in Virginia Beach.
As JCOC has expanded, Executive Director Todd Walker and Development Director Kristin Ward recognized the need to enhance their administrative, financial, grant management, and fundraising capacities. To address these needs, they joined VCDC’s Mission Elevation (ME) program.
Mission Elevation allows community development organizations to face their most pressing challenges through a variety of coaching sessions, retreats, and success-oriented tools. Todd and Kristin’s participation in the program has enabled them to strengthen JCOC’s internal capacity and improve operational efficiency.
A key aspect of Mission Elevation involves utilizing new tools and resources focused on leadership. Todd and Kristin found ME’s ‘balcony view’ tool particularly helpful in maintaining a strategic, big-picture perspective for JCOC. This approach, which prompts leaders to look at their organizations wholistically, allowed Kristin to empower her team members by delegating greater responsibilities, while also enabling Todd and Kristin to make crucial decisions in human resources and financial assessment. Another ME tool, celebrating wins, encouraged Todd to acknowledge small successes throughout projects, such as JCOC’s recent capital campaign, fostering sustained motivation and progress.
Mission Elevation also facilitates collaboration among leaders from 5-7 community development organizations in each cohort during events and retreats. This collaboration has been enriching for Todd and Kristin, enabling them to lean on other cohort members and continue to connect in the future, particularly as like-minded nonprofit leaders who experience similar challenges.
“It added to the whole experience, and being able to know that you’re not alone in this is powerful, too,” Kristin said. “The cohort was what really put the icing on the cake.”
Kristin and Todd highlighted the significant role of their ME coach, Roger Lewis, whose high-spirited coaching provided essential support during challenging times.
“I’ve never been on a call where he’s not super upbeat,” Todd said. “He just has the wherewithal to weave it all together...he never wavered.”
As they conclude their final month in the ME program, Todd and Kristin reflected on its impact and how they will utilize the experience and its tools in the future. Unlike other professional development programs, ME offers active networking and alumni support, fostering a supportive rather than competitive environment with lessons that last long after each cohort graduates. Most importantly, the program has encouraged Todd and Kristin to step out of their comfort zones and become stronger leaders for JCOC.
“I’ve always felt leadership is all about being made uncomfortable,” Todd said. “If you get too comfortable, you can’t truly pull out what’s inside of it. Mission Elevation has taught me and Kristin to challenge ourselves, to figure out ways we can enhance the organization. No goal is too big.”
“It stretched me in ways I wasn’t expecting: To learn to think in a different way... to think even more deeply about things,” Kristin said. “If you want to grow in a way that has the potential to expand your territory in all levels, do Mission Elevation.”
Learn more about JCOC and the work Todd and Kristin are doing to eradicate homelessness and hunger in Virginia Beach here.
