Overview
Grace-to-Share, which is one of the pillars and integral part of the empowerment program of Grace Relief Initiative International, is an intervention program tailored to respond to the specific needs of individuals and communities that are struggling to break through the obstacles of poverty to enjoy prosperity and a thriving quality of life. Due to the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic, Grace-to-Share program is more of a rescue mission rather than a charitable outreach in its quest to restore buoyancy to our neighbors who were traumatized by the consequences of COVID-19, a monstrous pandemic. The goals of this program are embodied in United Nations SDGs goal # 1 (No Poverty). The objectives are captured by the outcomes and impact of this program. They are illustrated using a program logic model because after this program achieves short-term outcome, there will be continuity to achieving the long-term objective and the impact or the objective for a change of lifestyle.
Grace Relief Initiative International (GRII) – a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization with DUNS #: 076369732 is a public charity organization in Metro Atlanta, Georgia. Our strategic alliance with Good 360 in Alexandria, VA and NAEIR in Galesburg, IL among other donors and partners gives us the leverage to facilitate the supplies of in-kind and in-cash donations to alleviate the suffering of our target population and empower them in the fight to achieve the “No Poverty” goal.
The reason for the urgency and importance of Grace-to-Share program is because it will foster peace and prosperity, which is very crucial to the collective well-being of everyone.
Context
The global challenges of COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the socio-economic well-being of the vulnerable populations have further reinforced the importance, urgency, and scalability of this intervention program, which is an integral part of GRII empowerment program and embodied in SDGs goal #1. Right now, we need to acquire warehouse facilities in all the states where we are operating in the United States to accommodate a bigger volume of donated goods in response to the enormous needs created by the consequences of the pandemic. We need to acquire better tools and technology to enhance the efficiency of our operations, the effectiveness of our service delivery, and scalability of our intervention program.
The global challenges of COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the socio-economic well-being of the vulnerable populations have further reinforced the importance, urgency, and scalability of this intervention program, which is an integral part of GRII empowerment program and embodied in SDGs goal #1. Right now, we need to acquire warehouse facilities in all the states where we are operating in the United States to accommodate a bigger volume of donated goods in response to the enormous needs created by the consequences of the pandemic. We need to acquire better tools and technology to enhance the efficiency of our operations, the effectiveness of our service delivery, and scalability of our intervention program.
Program Management
GRII has put in place a very resourceful Grace-to-Share program management team with an organic structure that fosters collegiality and cross-functioning of a multi-disciplinary team.
Program Management Structure
The Program Sponsor/Leadership Profile
GRII is the sponsor of Grace-to-Share program and duly represented by the President/CEO as the program leader while the Vice-President/COO of GRII plays the role of administrative support leader.
The program leader is Dr. Israel Eledan, the President/CEO of Grace Relief Initiative International Inc. He holds a BS in Organizational Management (NYACK College, New York), MS in Organizational Leadership (Regis University, Denver, CO), and a Doctor of Educational Leadership and Management with Concentration in Human Resource Development, EdD (Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA), USA. He did Project Management and a capstone course in Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility and Stewardship in his master’s degree program (Regis University in Denver, CO). And courses in Performance Management, Program Evaluation, Social Entrepreneurship, Policy Analysis, Innovation, Coaching and Mentoring as part of his Drexel University Doctoral program. He is a Citizen of the United States who immigrated from Nigeria after being trained as a Physics teacher from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and taught Physics and Mathematics at Senior High School level in Nigeria for over a decade. He has played leadership role as an ordained pastor and church planter for 38 years. Dr. Israel Eledan is the Chairman/CEO of Apostlegate Group LLC.
Dr. Israel Eledan is a missionary and social entrepreneur who is passionate about adding value to others through altruistic service.
Rev. Grace Eledan is the administrative support leader.
Rev. Grace Eledan is the President and Founder of Women Aflame International and Vice-President/Co-Founder of Grace Relief Initiative International. She is a seasoned administrator and worked for New York City department of social services from year 1993 to 2004. She is a Citizen of the United States who immigrated to the United States from Nigeria in 1992 after teaching English language for 11 years in the Nigerian High School system.
The gathering of Women for prayers and fellowship and community outreach, which she started in 1989 was culminated by a clarion call she received on Nov. 25, 2000, through which God gave her a marching order and said, “Mobilize women to evangelize.” The call gave birth to Women Aflame International (WAI) in New York City. WAI has fellowship chapters across United States and in Nigeria that are constantly involved in community development programs. As an ordained pastor, she also planted People of Faith Church in Brooklyn, New York. She is a prolific writer and Newspaper columnist. She is a Theologian and English tutor by training. She graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Nigeria (1980) with Advanced Diploma in Education and earned her Bachelor of Theology from Lighthouse Christian College & Seminary Beebe, Arkansas, USA
The Program Mission Statement
“To build a community of people who take the responsibility to collectively fight against poverty in the pursuit of a peaceful and a prosperous society through the sharing of the commonwealth of available resources for the empowerment of individuals who are socio-economically challenged.
Goals and Objectives
The goals and objectives are focused on the achievement of the intended impact of this program. The goals of this program are embodied in United Nations SDGs goal # 1 (No Poverty). The objectives are captured by the outcomes and impact of this program. They are illustrated using a program logic model because after this program achieves short-term outcome, there will be continuity to achieving the long-term objective and the impact or the objective for a change of lifestyle. The result comprises of the outcomes (short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term individual benefits) and the impact (effect of change on the community or corporate benefits of the project).
Concerning this program, the resources are: (1) funding for the program, (2) distribution of donated goods and (3) program personnel. The activities are grant writing, fund raising, collection and distribution of donated goods, and counseling and mentoring. The output for the program is the lifting of the target population out of poverty (SDGs goal # 1). The outcomes are three levels of participation. The participations are: (a) working together to make individuals socio-economically comfortable (short-term outcome), (b) facilitating individuals to embrace the shared vision of “No Poverty” (intermediate-term outcome), and (c) transforming individuals to become exemplars of “No Poverty” and to support the achievement of the “No Poverty” (long-term outcome) goal. Finally, the impact of this program is expected to bring peace and prosperity to the host communities as corporate benefits.
Program Logic Model
Sustainability
Grace-to-Share program will continue after the initial awareness period because it is integrated into GRII empowerment program. This empowerment initiative is more than a project, which implies a short life span but rather it is a development program that will be ongoing. According to Ahmad & Talib (2015), “Empowerment is not a static, one-time experiences but rather it is an ongoing continuous process. Improvement in community capacities helps communities to manage local resource on self-help basis.” (p. 4). The short-term, mid-term, and long-term outcomes will empower the vulnerable target population to use local resources to generate wealth. GRII will provide participatory leadership to the target population. Their participations will be: (a) working together to improve capacities and skills (short-term outcome) (b) management of available resources to eradicate poverty (intermediate-term outcome), and (c) participation as part of the decision makers to strengthen their capacity to lead change and give back to the community (long-term outcome). The impact of this program will create peaceful and prosperous communities and thus, fulfill the mission statement of this program.
Feasibility
This project is feasible because it will leverage the resources of the ongoing empowerment program of GRII. Therefore, it is economically and technically feasible for GRII because we already have the organizational infrastructure, the target audience, and the capacity for program deliverables.
Evaluation and Monitoring
Evaluation
The purpose of the evaluation is to pinpoint the components of our strategy that are working to produce the desired result for our program so as to facilitate improvement, expansion, sustainability, and provision of the evidence of program success to our funders and stakeholders.
Key evaluation questions
These are the key questions for this program… (1) What is the program all about? (2) What are the assumptions underlying the program’s development and implementation? (3) What is the definition and scope of need or problem? (4) Where is the problem and how big or serious is it? (5) How should the program be delivered to address the problem? (6) How well is the program delivered? (7) What was the effectiveness of the program? (8) What is the net impact of the program?
Conclusion
This program will equip the participants with the skills, knowledge, and competence to overcome poverty, the capability to succeed in life, and evolve to become the exemplars and advocates of the vision of “No Poverty.” They will be committed to the common interest of a peaceful and prosperous society.