By Jim Guffey, SHIM Executive Director
At SHIM, we’ve begun using the phrase “Good Grows Here” to describe an important, organization-wide conversation about our future. It reflects a thoughtful effort to plan how we can grow with intention and continue strengthening our impact in the communities we serve.
Thanks to the success of the Do More Good campaign and the continued generosity of our donors, SHIM is in a strong position today. That strength gives us a valuable opportunity: to step back and thoughtfully consider what the next phase of our work should look like, and how we can expand our impact while staying true to our mission.
We are having this conversation because the need in our community continues to grow. Demand for our basic needs and service coordination services is increasing, and more families are turning to SHIM for support. At the same time, we have resources available that could be invested in strengthening our organization.
The key question before us is simple but important: how do we use these resources wisely to serve more families and ensure SHIM remains strong for the long term?
We are exploring several ideas. These include adding staff to better support our programs and operations, strengthening our internal infrastructure- such as data systems and communications- and potentially expanding our service area, where we see both need and opportunity. We are also looking at ways to deepen and strengthen the programs we already offer.
I want to emphasize that these are ideas, not decisions. Our board and leadership team are actively gathering input from staff, board members, donors, and community partners. That input will guide us in defining what responsible growth looks like for SHIM.
This is a positive moment for our organization. These conversations are happening because of the increasing demand for our services, the trust our donors place in us, and the incredible work our staff carry out every day. Our goal is not to change what works, but to build on that strength.
Looking ahead, this process may lead to larger teams, expanded services in new communities, and additional resources to support our work. It will also help us strengthen how we measure and communicate the impact we’re making together.
For now, our focus remains the same: continue doing the work we do so well. “Good Grows Here” is ultimately about planning SHIM’s future with care and purpose so we can serve more families while keeping our organization strong for years to come.
I invite you to explore the ways that we help our neighbors by reading more stories in our Latest News section.
