Saint Louis University Campus Kitchen Project:

Organizational Effectiveness and Client

Organizing•Sarah Boyle

•Angela Evans•Lakesha Robinson•Wanda Robinson

Purpose

Evaluating Current Practices to Improve Organizational Effectiveness

Purpose, continued.

How can CKP improve their services?

Food as an ingredient to solving client challenges!

Who are the clients and how can we empower them?

What do they need to move one step further?

Methods: Determining the answers to many questions

Interviews:8 clients at Grandview and Council TowersSocial Workers at both locations

Grandview: Tara Kingsberry and Joe BaldassareCouncil Towers: Regina Maffey

Student Volunteers on Leadership Team

On-Going Discussions:Jenna Grimes, Coordinator of CKP at SLU

Methods, continued.

Observation:Premises

Food preparation

Participation on delivery routes

Research:Client Organizing

Client Empowerment

Best Practice Models

Findings

Survey Results & Interviews (clients)Highly Capable ResidentsAppreciation of CompanionshipFood Preparation PreferencesGain Control/PowerSome Limited Interest & ParticipationLong-Term utilization of CKP servicesNo Dining Room (CT)Some Non-CKP Client InterestQuestions & Concerns about Tenant Rights (CT)

Findings, continued.

Interview Outcomes (Volunteers and Coordinator)

Commitments Vary

Valuable Organizing & Planning Skills

CKP is About Relation Building

Recruiters, Mentors, Mentor Training

Liability Concerns

Findings, continued.

Organizational EfficiencyFundraisers managed by volunteersCulinary Job Training & Nutrition ClassesMember of Area Food BankWorks with Aging & Senior Service AgenciesLimited Paid Staff (one coordinator)Limited Collaboration with CT & GVT Social Workers

Findings, continued.

Research Power

The capacity to move people in a desired direction to accomplish some end (Promoting

Community Change, Homan,1994)

StrategyThe science and art of orchestrating resources toward goals (Six Strategies of Community Change, Checkoway, 1995)

Recommendations and Limitations

Self Cooking Program

Developing Relationships

Resource List

Building Leadership Capacity

Recommendations, Cont’d. Provide Clients with Raw

Ingredients

BenefitsNo food wasted

More meals

Empowerment of client

Increase client turnover

LimitationsCapability

Donations may decrease

Transportation

Recommendations ,Cont’d.The Buddy System

BenefitsDecreased isolationIncreased student involvement and awarenessRespond to client needs

LimitationsLiability/InsuranceGaining participation

Recommendations, cont’d.Resource List

BenefitsConnect Clients to Needed Resources

Increased Programs for Clients

Improve Social Worker Resources

LimitationsChanges in Program Offerings

Requirement Changes

Building Leadership Capacity

BenefitsClient EmpowermentIncreased ParticipationIncreased OwnershipIncreased Control

LimitationsVolunteers ResponsibilityFinding Appropriate Leadership Activities