[Feb 6, 2012] - 2012 Vision and Strategic Planning
The Acres of Diamonds Board of Directors have been prayerfully working on redefining our ministry and its strategic plan. Please read the following and pray for God to continue blessing this important ministry.
Organizations that enjoy enduring success have core values and a core purpose (mission) that remains fixed while strategies and practices endlessly adapt to a changing world. Truly great organizations understand the difference between what should never change and what should be open for change, between what is genuinely sacred and what is not. This rare ability to manage continuity and chang
e is closely linked to the ability to develop a vision. Vision provides guidance about what core to preserve and what future to stimulate progress toward. A well-conceived vision consists of two major components: core ideology and envisioned future. Core ideology defines the enduring character of an organization and is comprised of core purpose and core values.
A core purpose or mission statement is intended to capture what the soul of the organization is, to define the very essence of why an organization exists. Core purpose doesn’t change over time…goals and strategies do. The mission of Acres of Diamonds (AOD) is “Transforming Homeless Women, One Step at a Time”. This means AOD works with homeless women. We provide a loving, safe and nurturing environment that allows them to learn how to break the cycle of addiction, poverty and homelessness. AOD is a Christian-based, transitional home that offers hope for a fresh start and the skill sets to do it.
Core values exist to define what the organization stands for. They are timeless and serve to guide the organization. Core values are intrinsic, deeply held, fundamental values. They are important and hold meaning only for those within the organization. Our core values are:
1. Guided by Scriptures
2. Loving accountability
3. All things are possible
4. Servant’s heart
Our core values mean:
1. Guided by Scriptures – AOD was founded, built and stands on the Word of God. Every aspect is guided by Christian biblical principles
2. Loving accountability – we set expectations and lovingly hold each other accountable to them
3. All things are possible – AOD challenges every resident to dream big and trust that God has an amazing plan for her life because, alongside Jesus, all things are possible
4. Servant’s heart – having a servant’s heart means we make the welfare of others a primary goal
The second primary component of the vision framework is envisioned future. It consists of two parts: for us a five year audacious goal plus vivid descriptions of what it will be like to achieve the goal. The audacious goal is also referred to as a BHAG, a Big, Hairy Audacious Goal. A true BHAG is clear and compelling; it serves as a unifying focal point of effort and acts as a catalyst for team spirit. A BHAG engages people—it reaches out and grabs them. The five year BHAG for AOD is “Transforming 500 lives to wholeness”.
Following is the vivid description of what it would look like if we attained the BHAG in five years:
AOD is a thriving ministry that is making a measurable difference in the lives it touches. The staff, volunteers and leadership are working in unity towards the
mission. This ministry catches the attention of others due to the visible and transparent results.AOD has a graduation rate of 80%, a total of 20 rooms for its Phase I residents and an integrated Phase II program. The rooms are full with families waiting to move in. 625 women began the program and 500 have graduated. There is collaboration throughout the community for volunteerism, funding, employment for residents, and services that impact transformation. The ministry is experiencing consistent growth from revenues collected to the number of lives touched by Jesus. Graduates are now productive members of society and give back to the world at large.
[Jan 11, 2012] – We had a resident, who had been with us for four months, move out today. She is someone who most definitely grew and blossomed while in the AOD home and program. We are so proud of Christina and the steps she made towards transformation. Here is what she wrote:
“Acres of Diamonds definitely helped me grow. You helped push me to keep going. You showed me a lot of love. I’m happy to have experienced AOD. I made a lot of friends and have a lot of special memories. I wish everyone the best. Thank you all so much. ” Christina
