Mission & Vision Refresh: Inspiring the Next Chapter
Challenge
As part of a broader effort to establish strategic priorities for Eva’s Village, we first examined the organization’s Vision and Mission Statements to ensure they accurately reflected current operations and future aspirations.
Despite being only a few years old, the existing statements lacked alignment with Eva’s evolving role in the community. They did not clearly communicate the organization’s long-term vision or provide a flexible framework for growth.
The previous Vision Statement—typically a concise, outward-facing, and aspirational declaration was written as:
"Eva's Village, Inc. aims to be a model social service organization dedicated to preserve and enhance the dignity of the individual."
This statement focused more on Eva’s internal goals rather than the broader impact on the community.
Similarly, the Mission Statement read:
"Our mission is to provide and support for people who are struggling with poverty, hunger, homelessness, and addiction. To that end, Eva’s Village provides a recovery-oriented community of supportive services which include food, shelter, addiction and mental health treatment, child care, job training, medical and dental care, and house."
In addition to grammatical issues, this statement presented a significant challenge: it listed specific programs rather than focusing on outcomes. At the time of the review, for example, Eva’s was no longer providing dental care. This rigid approach risked limiting the organization’s ability to adapt and expand services in response to changing community needs.
Approach
With support from Accenture, we launched an eight-month initiative to redefine Eva’s Village’s Vision and Mission Statements. This process included:
Comprehensive Data Analysis: We conducted an in-depth review of Eva’s programs, staffing, funding, and overall impact.
Competitive Landscape Assessment: A thorough analysis of peer organizations helped identify best practices and differentiation opportunities.
Stakeholder Engagement: We facilitated workshops and working sessions with board members, senior leadership, and management-level staff to gather insights into Eva’s strengths, challenges, and aspirations.
Strategic Alignment: Through facilitated discussions led by Accenture, we encouraged honest and transparent conversations to shape a unified vision for the organization’s future.
Solution
The new Vision Statement is clear, compelling, and easy to visualize:
This statement shifts the focus outward, emphasizing Eva’s commitment to community impact and aspirational change.
The new Mission Statement articulates Eva’s purpose without restricting its scope to specific programs:
Each word in this statement was chosen intentionally:
Empower – Eva’s doesn’t just offer handouts; it equips individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to achieve their full potential.
Those in need – Recognizing that “need” varies by individual, this phrase ensures flexibility in service delivery.
Hope – A fundamental value at Eva’s Village, hope inspires individuals to envision and work toward a better future.
Support and resources – Eva’s provides direct services and community partnerships to meet diverse and evolving needs.
Stable, healthy, and productive – These words define success, encompassing security, well-being, and progress.
Outcome
The refined Vision and Mission Statements now serve as motivational anchors for Eva’s Village staff, reinforcing their daily impact. Additionally, they provide a clear and compelling message for donors and stakeholders, strengthening the organization’s ability to attract funding and support.
By prioritizing clarity, flexibility, and inspiration, these statements position Eva’s Village for sustained growth and continued service to the community.