Strategic Plan

Our Future

At Saint Francis Ministries, we believe in the power of community, compassion, and unwavering support. For nearly eight decades, our mission has been to provide hope and healing to children and families in need. As we look toward 2031, we are excited to share our strategic plan, which is built on the foundation of our enduring values and commitment to transforming lives. Our plan outlines ambitious goals designed to enhance access, performance, culture, and stewardship, ensuring that every child and family we serve can thrive.

A silhouette of a family of three standing in a sunflower field at sunset. The adults are holding the hands of a child. The sun is low in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the scene.

“Looking to the future, Saint Francis Ministries remains steadfast in our mission to provide hope, healing, and support to children and families in need. Our strategic plan for 2031 reflects our commitment to innovation, compassion, and excellence. Together, we will continue to transform lives and systems, creating brighter futures for those we serve.”

– The Reverend Brock Slabach, Board of Directors Chair

Imperatives of 2031

Pillar One: Access

Saint Francis Ministries provides unwavering support to children and families in crisis, helping them forge a brighter future. We meet clients where they are, creating easy access to our services and the services of our community partners.

Recognizing the rapidly evolving cultural landscape, we craft innovative approaches that focus on equity and inclusion, systemic change, and strong partnerships that support those we serve.

Through innovation, strategic decision-making, and advocacy efforts, we aspire to open more doors and extend our reach to serve a broader community, ensuring that no one is left behind.

A joyful woman embracing a smiling young girl in a striped shirt, both appearing happy and affectionate in a cozy indoor setting, representing nurturing care.

Goal

The work we will do:

  • Strategically expand access to services.
  • Enhance the availability and ease of service delivery.
  • Cultivate relationships that help transform the child welfare system.

We are there when:

  • We address what children need and what families want within hours and days, not weeks and months.
  • Access to support from Saint Francis and our community partners is easy to find and effortless to utilize.
Diverse hands coming together in a show of unity and teamwork.

Pillar Two: Performance

Saint Francis Ministries is committed to ensuring that our care meets the diverse needs of all individuals and communities we serve. We value the unique perspectives and contributions of each team member. We foster a culture where diversity of thought and experience is celebrated, and team members are empowered to contribute creatively.

We invest in each team member to expand their expertise, ensuring they are equipped to address the ever-changing needs of our communities.

We place an emphasis on equity and compassion, infusing these values into every facet of our work. Mindful of cultural responsiveness, we are dedicated to eliminating disparities and promoting an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and included.

Goal

The work we will do:

  • Invest in each team member to grow their expertise.
  • Deliver leading-edge, evidence-based practices.
  • Create an empowering environment that fosters innovation.

We are there when:

  • Those we serve experience improved lives
  • Each team member is equipped with cutting-edge knowledge and skills and innovative problem-solving positioning them at the forefront of their field.

Pillar Three: Culture

Our core values are rooted in the call of Jesus Christ to enrich the lives of others. At Saint Francis Ministries, our special focus is children and families.

Those values serve as the foundation upon which we build relationships, make decisions, and deliver services to children and families of all faiths and backgrounds. We value the inherent worth of each person.

Integrity compels us to uphold the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency and accountability in everything we do. Our deep passion to continuously improve motivates our desire to excel in our programs and services.

Innovation inspires us to think collaboratively and creatively and to adapt to evolving needs and challenges, leading to new approaches and solutions.

 

We prioritize humility, allowing us to promote mutual respect and collaboration, fostering stronger connections within our team and with the communities we serve.

We celebrate diversity and the richness it brings to Saint Francis Ministries by practicing culturally compassionate care in all aspects of our work.

In the words of our patron saint, Francis of Assisi, “We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”

Goal

The work we will do:

  • Embrace humility and respect the gifts of others in everything we do.
  • Celebrate diversity by our practice of culturally compassionate care in our communities.
  • Ignite a collective spirit of purpose and excellence.

We are there when:

  • Humility and respect are integrated into every aspect of our operations, fostering a culture where the gifts and contributions of each person are valued and honored.
  • Our commitment to celebrating diversity is ingrained in our practice of culturally compassionate care, resulting in communities where inclusivity and understanding are the norm. Saint Francis Ministries attracts the very best who wish to work with children and families.
  • We have cultivated a collective spirit of purpose and excellence that permeates every team member’s actions and interactions, creating an environment where high standards and a shared commitment to our mission are inherent.
Two hands are placing soil around a small green plant sprout in an outdoor setting. The scene is well-lit by sunlight. The background is blurred, emphasizing the central action of planting and nurturing the young plant.

Pillar Four: Stewardship

A robust financial foundation is fundamental to our ability to change lives. We cultivate diverse funding streams and actively seek new opportunities in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

We prioritize honesty, transparency, and respect for the dignity of every individual, helping us establish trust with both those we serve and our community partners.

While our clients frequently share their inspiring stories of progress, every one of our stakeholders becomes an ambassador, reinforcing our reputation for excellence. Our team members nurture relationships with donors, funders, and government agencies.

Volunteers take pride in their association with our innovative initiatives. Local, state, and federal agencies seek out partnerships with us, recognizing our staff and programs for consistently exceeding traditional standards.

Because our services and programs excel, financial health and fund development naturally follow.

Goal

The work we will do:

  • Ensure effective oversight and accountability of current and future resources, systems, and processes.
  • Sustain, grow, and diversify opportunities and funding streams.
  • Grow partnerships and engage communities who believe in and support the work of Saint Francis Ministries.

We are there when:

  • Diverse funding streams sustain our transformative programs, and our reputation for excellence precedes us in every interaction. Funders routinely seek out Saint Francis Ministries.
  • Stakeholders, from those we serve to government agencies, recognize and champion our unparalleled impact, making us a trusted pillar in our communities.

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