The Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center is an independent non-profit agency serving the Kanawha Valley for 30 years, providing housing and supportive services for individuals 18 years and older experiencing homelessness.
Company story
With a limited budget and staff, the Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center struggled to maintain a website with current information. The organization’s newsletter also was sorely outdated, notes CEO Alex Alston.
While the organization’s outreach has tripled over its 30 years, the nonprofit was concentrating its resources on assisting the individuals it serves, leaving less resources for things like sleek communication, Alston says.
In 2007, Jamie Summers-Brown approached the organization to offer pro bono newsletter design and printing, web design and annual reports through Bricks Without Straw.
Newsletter
Prior to working with Bricks Without Straw, Alston relates, the organization’s quarterly newsletter was a plain sheet of paper.
“The newsletter looked like we put it together ourselves,” Alston says. “It did not have that professional quality to it.”
Of particular importance, the newsletter serves to update donors and raise community awareness.
“Jamie came up with a really sleek design,” notes Development Director Stephanie Young. “When we’re able to provide that to the community, it makes us look more appealing to funders and community members who want to learn about us.”
With the framework provided by Bricks Without Straw, the organization is now able to maintain its newsletter in house.
“People read the newsletter now,” Alston says. “Every time it goes out, I get emails about something that was in it. I just don’t think people read it before.
Website
In addition, Bricks Without Straw provided a website update to Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center and continues to offer web maintenance.
“We couldn’t maintain our website before,” Young says. “We wanted to bring it up to date and make it more user-friendly and professional. Our greatest satisfier now is being able to keep up with current communication.”
She adds, “Char (Client Services) has been exceptional on her follow-up. She’s been absolutely on top of her game for anything we’ve asked. It’s been really nice to work with someone so efficient.”
Finally, Bricks Without Straw provided annual reports for 2008 and 2009.
“That was something we had never been able to generate,” Alston says. “It gave us something we could present to our finders—same thing with our website and newsletter. Bricks Without Straw has helped getting our information presenting to the public in a nice, professional layout. That was something we were not able to do on our own.”
Young adds, “What’s nice about Jamie is that you might be just thinking newsletter, and he’s one step ahead of you. He’s a web designer, but also knows marketing pieces. It’s nice having someone look out for you and have your best interests in mind.”
“It’s the fact that he’s bringing ideas to the table in a volunteer capacity,” Alston adds. “He goes beyond that.”
