Once you have identified a destination, charting the best route is strategically essential. Nightingale has launched a planning process to create a two-year road map that will guide the organization through the next couple of years. Over the first six months of 2023, Nightingale’s 13 board members, our site managers and several volunteers have taken time to start developing our road map. During the January board meeting, we began with a brainstorming session in which we identified key questions we would like to pursue. The one that garnered the most interest: How can Nightingale gain more traction in effectively assisting NHS residents in securing stable housing? “Traction” might include achieving success with jobs, establishing effective relationships with case managers, pursuing education goals, accessing health care, and more. We want to explore the support and services needed, and what talents we must have. We want Nightingale to function sustainably. We know we work from a strong commitment to building community. In order to answer this question, we have invited several speakers to board meetings to talk with us about their work, the larger ecosystem of services for unhoused people in Eugene-Springfield, and their understanding of both the causes of and solutions for homelessness. We know that if we have a common base of understanding, we can make smart decisions for Nightingale. We are grateful for the insights and the shared knowledge of numerous speakers from local non-profits and government, including the Eugene Mission, Community Supported Shelters, White Bird, the City of Eugene, and the State of Oregon.

Nightingale will have our road map by the end of this year. It will be a useful guide for the upcoming years.