Submitted by Lorri Manasse, PCC, ICF Metro DC
Coaching provided to organization leaders (e.g., supervisors, managers) of Friendship Place 

Friendship Place provides housing services for people experiencing homelessness in the Washington, D.C. area. Its mission is to empower people who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness to attain stable housing and rebuild their lives. Friendship Places envisions a nation in which every person has a place to call home. As of 2019, its staff of 120 was able to end or prevent homelessness for 1,437 people through creative, customized housing solutions. They supported thousands more through shelters and transitional housing, as well as free medical and psychiatric clinics, job placements and specialized programs for veterans and youth.

The Initiative

The ICF Metro DC Chapter partnered with Friendship Place in late 2019 to provide coaching for their Emerging Leaders program. The results were positive and the CEO requested coaching for his senior leadership team as well.  

As the pandemic exacerbated problems for those experiencing homelessness, Friendship Place added 40 staff members to support a new facility for homeless families. The CEO came back to us and requested support for the next level of leadership.

In all, ICF Metro DC provided coaching services to 25 leaders of Friendship Place between the difficult months of March through October of 2020.

The Impact

  • 100% of survey respondents indicated they gained important information and knowledge that will make a difference in their lives and jobs.
  • 100% of survey respondents indicated that their coach was excellent and instrumental in increasing awareness and committing to action.
  • 100% of survey respondents would recommend the experience to others.

Testimonials 

“In a time where my leadership abilities were tested like no other experience I’ve had, working with a coach helped me to feel grounded, supported and empowered.”

“Coaching improved my performance, strengthened my relationship with my team, helped me lead volunteers, helped me motivate my candidates and helped me create a vision for my program. I would say it impacted our 10 volunteers, 50 or so participants, five or so employers — a lot of people!”