Starting Over Strong

DURING 2023, STARTING OVER STRONG FOCUSED ON SECURING INITIAL FUNDING THROUGH GRANTS, STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND PREPARING FOR THE LAUNCH OF OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, INCLUDING THE ONBOARDING OF AN OPERATIONS DIRECTOR IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2024. WE APPLIED FOR GRANTS FROM FOUNDATIONS AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, TAILORED PROPOSALS TO MEET SPECIFIC CRITERIA, AND ENGAGED IN FOLLOW-UP COMMUNICATIONS WITH POTENTIAL FUNDERS. THESE EFFORTS WERE CRUCIAL FOR BUILDING A FINANCIAL BASE TO SUPPORT FUTURE OPERATIONS AND PROGRAM SERVICES. WE REFINED OUR STRATEGIC PLAN TO OUTLINE OUR OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES, SETTING PRIORITIES, IDENTIFYING CRITICAL RESOURCES NEEDED, AND ESTABLISHING METRICS FOR MEASURING PROGRESS. THIS PLAN WAS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT INVOLVING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, PROVIDING A CLEAR VISION FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S FUTURE. WE FINALIZED OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES, DEVELOPED PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND SET UP NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PROGRAM LAUNCH, INCLUDING SECURING OFFICE SPACE AND CREATING DETAILED PROGRAM PLANS. BY FOCUSING ON THESE FOUNDATIONAL ACTIVITIES, STARTING OVER STRONG IS POSITIONED FOR SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN THE COMING YEARS. WE ARE READY TO LAUNCH OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, SUPPORTED BY A ROBUST ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, CLEAR MISSION AND VALUES, AND A STRATEGIC PLAN TO GUIDE OUR EFFORTS. TOTAL EXPENSES RELATED TO THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE APPROXIMATELY $36,600, INCLUDING $27,000 FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND $9,600 FOR OFFICE SPACE.