My arrival at the Wilson Foundation coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding social distancing. Albeit challenging, my background serving across multiple human service systems has prepared me well to help the Foundation make decisions to best aid community efforts during this difficult time. As an individual who has served in case management and clinical […]
Our co-founder Joe Wilson said, “We overestimate what we can do in the short run—and underestimate what we can do in the long run.”[1] This belief applied not only to his business endeavors, for which he arguably ranks among the most revered leaders of industry and a favorite son of Rochester, but also to his […]
The Wilson Foundation recently shared its Board succession planning process as a guest blog for Exponent Philanthropy. Learn about the challenges and opportunities we faced, and some of the strategies we developed to have greater impact. Read the full blog here.
Please consider this short guide on what the Foundation means by some of the terms in its new strategic plan. Overall, the plan states: Reduce the impact of trauma and housing instability on youth and families. We mean trauma and/or housing, and we mean youth and/or families. Trauma–A response to a real or perceived threat. […]
Wilson Foundation strategic focus area #4: Advocacy will provide a voice for issues and solutions relating to trauma and housing instability. A lot of the talk about poverty in Rochester revolves around system change. The system is broken. We need to fix the system. If the different parts of the system worked together. At the […]
Wilson Foundation strategic focus area #3: Prevention support will work to prevent traumatic events and the effects after experiencing an event, as well as preventing homelessness for families. Our community has been funding programs for decades, with varying degrees of long-term success. It is a natural reaction to see a problem and to try to […]
Wilson Foundation strategic focus area #2: Collaboration will provide opportunities for outcome-driven collaborations and resource connections, and provide the necessary support for housing and trauma-related issues to be at the right tables to guarantee those issues are heard. Everyone is being asked to collaborate on everything these days. But what does that mean? The Foundation […]
Wilson Foundation strategic focus area #1: Capacity Building will enhance the needs of the community and non-profits to better support families and youth in relation to trauma supports and housing issues. The funding community asks a lot of non-profits—change the world but don’t spend any money on staff in order to do it. The Wilson […]
In 1964 President Lyndon Johnson attempted to lead a country scarred by racism, wounded by lives lived in poverty and in shock after the assassination of a President. He proposed legislation over two years that attempted to move the country forward—he embraced change and fought the battle against fear and misunderstanding. But for everything […]
Last month the Wilson Foundation said so long to its home of more than 30 years on Allens Creek Road. We are thrilled to e-welcome you to our new space in the Village of Pittsford! Check out our transformation, and stop in to see us sometime. Our former office. Most of the furniture and supplies found new homes […]
