Non-profits want to work with people, not tell them what to do – but how does that work in practice?

This organization is changing how they work, making their design processes more collaborative with community members

Why It Matters

Social research and development, like R&D in any sector, brings new tools and strategies that can improve people’s lives. As COVID-19 completely disrupts business as usual, there may never be a more important time to reimagine how they work.

var TRINITY_TTS_WP_CONFIG = {"cleanText":"Non-profits want to work with people, not tell them what to do \u2013 but how does that work in practice?. This story is in partnership with Ontario Trillium Foundation. \u201cKnock Knock,\u201d say the cards hanging on doors in a seniors\u2019 community housing building in Parkdale, west Toronto. Much like \u201cDo Not Disturb\u201d signs in hotels, they tell staff and volunteers from the local non-profit West Neighbourhood House that they should knock to check in and make sure otherwise isolated residents are ok.\u00a0 Many of the building\u2019s few hundred senior residents have been worried about isolation, and during COVID-19, those fears have intensified. This small creative tweak \u2014\u00a0hanging signs to let staff know they are welcome to c

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