| Durfee Foundation Peer Learning Network | | Print | |
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Increasing skills and multiplying community impact “In Los Angeles, deliberately creating a forum for peer learning is really important to overcoming our spread-out geography. Convening doesn’t happen naturally here, as it does in other metropolitan regions,” said Claire Peeps, Executive Director of The Durfee Foundation. That’s why she asked Community Partners to develop and facilitate a peer learning network for Durfee grant recipients.  Peer Learning Group Meeting Targeted technical assistance can make a big difference for the organizations Durfee funds. Claire explained, “We hoped the peer learning would deepen our investment in these emerging organizations and give them a real shot at succeeding Six Durfee Foundation grantees working on youth, arts and community issues took advantage of being invited to participate. “I was absolutely thrilled to have an opportunity to learn more,” said Jen Pratt, President and CEO of Excelsus Music. Formerly a music teacher, Jen was very clear about how much she didn’t know about running her fledgling community organization, which introduces schoolchildren to the love of music. She felt the tools she learned, both from Community Partners facilitators and her peer session colleagues, have made a significant impact on her organization. Jen gave an example: “Because of peer sessions, we went from a passive ‘spray and pray’ fundraising approach to a more focused method. This gave me relief from worrying and gave a focus to everyone in the office.” I hoped these sessions would stimulate camaraderie among the social entrepreneurs who are trying to make a difference in their community. — Claire Peeps, Executive Director of The Durfee FoundationCommunity Partners Senior Program Associate, Lupe Solorio, facilitated the bimonthly sessions. She said, “It’s a great opportunity to meet others in a similar situation and exchange ideas and information.” Based on what the group selected as topics for learning and discussion, Lupe prepared information on organizational issues as diverse as "Life Cycles of an Organization" to "Effective Communications and Marketing." While Claire believed the peer sessions were an economical way to provide technical assistance, she also hoped to stimulate camaraderie among the social entrepreneurs who are trying to make a difference in their community. SOURCE: Community Partners 2005-2006 Biennial Report PROJECT STATUS: As of Fall 2006, the Durfee Peer Learning Network ran in 2005 and has now ended. Read more of our Strategic Initiative Success Stories! |
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