Motivating At-Risk Youth
How does a nonprofit organization disseminate information on its mission and programs while dealing with limited financial and technical means? How can a nonprofit inform the public of its important work without a web site? Can a small, grassroots nonprofit really afford to spend time and money on mailed outreach pieces?
Gayle Hutchens at Paws and Think was wrestling with these questions when she contacted NPower Indiana in September 2003.
Paws and Think is a nonprofit that seeks to provide innovative programming for at-risk populations in central Indiana, in partnership with state and community agencies. These at-risk populations include: youth who are academically or behaviorally challenged, who feel disconnected or lack a positive self-image, are incarcerated or are single and pregnant; adults and children with physical, emotional and behavioral disabilities; stray, neglected and abused dogs at risk of euthanasia; and the communities in which these groups reside.
The organization needed a way to showcase its mission, work and projects. It also wanted a low-cost method of advertising events and volunteer opportunities.
To address these needs, Gayle began to work with NPower consultants to develop a web site for Paws and Think. While Gayle was willing to leave the final design decisions to NPower, she wanted the design to look professional, to utilize the signature colors of Paws and Think, and to be intuitive and easy to navigate. She also wanted to be able to make changes to the site herself.
In December 2003, Gayle took advantage of NPower's Scanning Day, a Day of Service, to scan all of the photographs for her site. These photographs were then added into the existing outline and greatly added to both the aesthetics and professionalism of the site.
On January 10, 2004, Paws and Think launched its very first web site!
The site provides information on Paws and Think, its mission, its services, and upcoming events. It offers details about pertinent news topics, volunteer opportunities, and success stories of the organization. Even more importantly, the site presents information for donors and even provides an online method of making donations through JustGive.org.
Before their new web site, Paws and Think was dependent on nonprofit fairs and hard copy newsletters for spreading the word about its programs. Now, the organization has a much more professional feel and staff are saving time and money that was previously spent on time-consuming face-to-face outreach. Additionally, Paws and Think now has a place where it can direct donors, volunteers and constituents for more information and assistance.
NPower hopes that its work with Paws and Think's web site will enable more and more people in Indianapolis to learn about the important work that this nonprofit is doing for the community.
