In South Texas, digital equity is not a luxury – it’s a lifeline. From a mother earning her GED online, to a son attending virtual college prep workshops, to a grandparent managing their health through a patient portal, generations of families across South Texas are accessing networks of opportunities as part of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ digital equity initiative.
MHM Digital Equity Partner and Chief Technology Strategist serves as director of Digital Ambassadors and IDRA Youth TechXperts.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries has invested nearly $30 million to expand digital and broadband services by supporting strategic, community-driven partnerships across South Texas. One innovative program is the Youth Digital Opportunity Labs, a product of the collaboration among the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), Institute for Local-Self Reliance (ILSR), digitalLift (formally Community Tech Network), and Compudopt.
The labs provide students in the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio with hands-on exposure to broadband infrastructure and introduces them careers in broadband and technology sectors – areas critical to the region’s future.
Michelle M. Vega, Chief Technology Strategist with IDRA, explains that, “Through the MHM-funded Digital Ambassadors programs, IDRA is equipping students, not only with STEM education and workforces training, but with the confidence to lead and serve. These young leaders are learning valuable digital skills – and just as importantly, they’re using that knowledge uplift their communities. When students seem themselves in STEM, they don’t just imagine futures – they help to create them for everyone around them.”
In 2017, Methodist Healthcare Ministries recognized the mental health crisis in Bexar County and surrounding South Texas communities–and convened mental health stakeholders to advocate for a new San Antonio State Hospital (SASH).
In 2024, the seven-year effort to secure passage of state legislation and funding came to fruition with the opening of the new SASH by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The $357 million state-of-the-art facility features single-person rooms, natural light, recreational experiences, and outdoor spaces to promote healing and recovery.
“Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to have been part of this journey,” said 2024 Board Chair Lavonne Garrison. “We remain committed to joining our community leaders and mental health stakeholders to continue the work to reduce and eliminate health disparities experienced by so many Texas families, especially for mental health services.”
Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Medical-Legal Partnership program integrates legal professionals into our clinics to help patients overcome non-medical challenges – like housing insecurity, wrongful denial of benefits, or debt disputes – that can worsen health conditions.
Working alongside Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, the Medical-Legal Partnership team helps patients resolve these issues so they can focus on getting well.
Juanita meets with Robert Hil from Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Medical-Legal Partnership program.
For 82-year old Juanita, a dental patient at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center, that legal help came at a critical time. After major neck surgery that left her temporarily paralyzed, she relied on a home health aid for basic care. Then, due to a Medicare agency error, those services were suddenly terminated. At the same time, she was struggling to afford rent, living with her daughter, and trying to qualify for Section 8 housing assistance – only to be denied twice.
“They took my [home health] aide away. I didn’t know what to do,” Juanita recalls. “Everywhere I went I couldn’t get help. I had to move in with my daughter because of how expensive everything became. They denied me housing – twice. That’s when I went o MHM. And you help me a lot.”
Our Medical-Legal Partnership team stepped in on two fronts. They disputed the wrongful termination of her Medicare services and won, reinstating her home health services. They also helped her secure a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary subsidy, saving her $185 a month on premiums.
Separately, they challenged her housing denial. The local housing authority had cited an old $1,000 debt to a former landlord as grounds for rejection. The Medical-Legal Partnership team argued that the debt was too old to be used against her, and the housing officials eventually conceded.
While Juanita remains on the city’s two-year housing waitlist, the legal victory removed a major barrier to her application.
Her health remains fragile – she lives with chronic pain and recently suffered a heart attack – with home healthcare services reinstated, she feels supported. “Now my provider, my nurse, comes every week and everything is beautiful,” she says.
Juanita’s gratitude for the program is deep. “It made me feel good because I couldn’t do anything,” she reflects. “But I went [to the Wesley Health & Wellness Center] and they helped me with my teeth and my life. I’m fine. I’m grateful. I’ve very grateful.”
She also wants other in her community to know they don’t have to struggle alone. “Go in and visit them for the things you need. Pick up the phone, make a call…they will help you out. Health, legal, whatever you need.”
Her message for the MLP team is simple, “God bless them and for them to help other people. Keep on going. Keep going.”
In the heart of Bandera, the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic has been a beacon of care for more than a decade, offering quality health services to those who otherwise might go without. For Executive Director Chuck Lutke, the clinic’s mission is summed up in its simple but profound tagline: Restoring Health. Renewing Hope.
“What the phrase represents,” Lutke explains, “is that our clinic is here to restore physical and mental health to all people who qualify for our services – ages 12 and up = regardless of their ability to pay, ethnicity, race, creed, or citizenship. In restoring their health, we also give them reason to hope, because we are people who genuinely care about them and will be here when they need us.”
Executive Director Chuck Lutke tends the community garden at Arthur Nagel Community Clinic, where MHM’S cornerstone grant helps restore health and renew hope for Bandera residents through compassionate care, health education, and essential services for all who need them.
But for Lutke, healing goes beyond medical treatment. “We are cadre of providers and administrators whose work is based in science, reason, and evidence. We don’t heal anybody – science does that. A big part of our work is education and helping patients understand what healthy living can and will do for them. We help them make informed decisions that my ultimately alter the course of their life and others for generations.”
MORE THAN JUST A GRANT
Support from Methodist Healthcare Ministries has been critical in sustaining and expanding this impact. As one of the clinic’s largest funders, we provide critical support for essential services, equipment needs, and staff development.
“Support from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, not only with generous grants but also event sponsorship, on-site visits with great advice, and course offerings at your headquarters, means the world to us and our patients,” says Lutke.
Lutke with Nagel’s Clinical Director, Susan Broa, who has been with the clinic most of its 18 years.
He recalls the early days of his leadership when Methodist Healthcare Ministries offered guidance and encouragement. “I cannot say enough good things about the MHM Senior Program Officer who helped guide me through m first couple of years here. The funding we receive truly is foundational in helping us provide care, access needed equipment, and even introduce us to concepts of integrated care that make a real difference for our patients.”
Through this ongoing partnership, the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic continues to meet Bandera’s healthcare needs while embodying hope, compassion, and the promise of better health for all.
“Support from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, not only with generous grants but also event sponsorship, on-site visits with great advice, and course offerings at your headquarters, means the world to us and our patients,”
– Chuck lutke, executive director, arthur nagel community clinic
“As a Wesley Nurse my mission is to care for the whole person, physically, emotionally, and spiritually while serving in the broader community. The same spirit of service drives my leadership in uniting the Hispanic, business community. Health and economic stability are deeply connected. When families have access to jobs, education, and support, their health outcomes improve.
Wesley Nurse, Dalila Mancha’s grassroots effort led to the founding of the Bastrop County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, leading to greater equity for local business owners.
The Bastrop County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has the potential to be a powerful force for health and wellness. By supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, we help families build stability and pride. We reduce stress and improve quality of life. The Chamber also provides a trusted platform for education and outreach.
Through partnerships with providers, non-profits, and wellness programs, we can promote health literacy, increase awareness of local resources, and encourage prevention care. Ultimately, a thriving business community contributes to a thriving, healthier Bastrop.”
–Dalila Mancha, Wesley Nurse for Bastrop United Methodist Church
Leticia Rosales, RN, is on the frontlines of good health for community members who need an integrated approach to diabetes care and prevention.
“As a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, integrated healthcare means working closely with a team of primary care providers, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, and mental health professionals to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care. It allows me to address not only blood glucose management, but also the emotional, behavioral, and social factors that affect a patient’s ability to manage diabetes.
Letica Rosales, a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, delivers integrated, patient-centered care – empowering patients to manage their diabetes through education, collaboration, and life-changing tools like continuous glucose monitoring.
For example, imagine patient with diabetes and depression. In a fragmented system, they may see a primary care provider who manages their blood glucose but overlooks mental health, while a separate counselor may not know about their diabetes. In our integrated system, providers collaborate, ensuring that our patients receive comprehensive, person-centered support.”
One of Leticia’s patients expressed appreciation for the wide range of services saying, “My health has completely changed – a real 360 degrees for the better. I have more energy and I am more active.”
Leticia affirms the effectiveness of an integrated approach; “Integrated care empowers patients and helps me deliver patient care and an education that’s aligned, effective, and holistic.”
“My health has completely change – a real 360º for the better. I have more energy and I am more active.”
San Antonio (August 25, 2025) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) announced a $1.26 million grant to St. Mary’s University, powering the School of Law’s Real Estate Clinic and Consumer Protection Clinic through 2026. This strategic partnership tackles a critical community need: promoting housing stability and strengthening consumer protection by delivering vital legal assistance and education to limited-income residents across San Antonio and South Texas.
Safe and affordable housing stands as a fundamental social determinant of health, a key vital condition essential to family health and well-being. Housing insecurity creates a devastating ripple effect on quality of life, as mounting costs from eviction and relocation drain resources needed for basic necessities like food and health care. The consequences add up quickly: evictions damage credit scores, making future rentals nearly impossible, while forced relocations often push families into deteriorating neighborhoods. Homeowners facing foreclosure teeter on the edge of homelessness. Children bear a particularly heavy burden, as frequent moves disrupt their education and development, while the chronic stress of housing instability takes a severe toll on mental health across all family members. Stabilizing housing for both tenants and low-income homeowners emerges as a critical strategy for building healthier communities.
“Ensuring that our patients and clients have a safe and affordable place to live can have a positive impact on their health and well-being as they will be able to focus their time and energy on reaching their fullest potential for health and life,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of MHM. “Through this partnership with St. Mary’s, we are excited to not only address a critical social determinant of health for many in our community but also contribute to the training and development of future legal professionals who can provide the guidance and counsel clients desperately need.”
MHM currently operates a groundbreaking Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) in collaboration with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA), serving its patients and clients with integrated care. This innovative partnership creates a direct pipeline, allowing MHM to refer patients seamlessly to the St. Mary’s University School of Law’s Real Estate Clinic and Consumer Protection Clinic. The MLP’s mission centers on promoting housing stability through comprehensive legal assistance and community education targeting low-income residents throughout San Antonio and South Texas.
Through this collaboration, law students will deliver hands-on legal representation to clients who would otherwise face the legal system without counsel. These emerging attorneys will receive intensive training in housing-related legal advocacy, creating a multiplier effect that increases pro bono representation capacity both immediately and for years to come. The clinic will also develop accessible, client-friendly educational materials that translate complex legal concepts into clear, and actionable guidance, reaching potential clients before they reach a housing crisis point. This comprehensive approach promises to dramatically expand pro bono legal services for this chronically underserved population.
“St. Mary’s University is grateful for both the investment being made by Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the opportunity to join this partner organization in supporting those who experience a variety of housing crises,” said Winston Erevelles, Ph.D., President of St. Mary’s University. “This gift ensures our School of Law Clinics can continue this important work, furthering St. Mary’s University’s mission as a Catholic Marianist University to serve the common good.”
The partnership extends beyond traditional clinic walls, as the Law Clinics will forge strategic community partnerships to serve clients in rural and underserved areas across the region. Students will engage in intensive field work, traveling directly to meet clients and dismantle legal barriers where they live. Additionally, the Law Clinics will produce impactful scholarly research and presentations documenting the partnership’s outcomes, creating a roadmap for similar initiatives and demonstrating the transformative potential of this integrated approach to legal aid and community health.
The partnership will deliver services through December 2026.
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of healthcare by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals and families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
About St. Mary’s University
St. Mary’s University, founded in 1852, is the first institution of higher learning in San Antonio and the oldest Catholic university in the Southwest. It offers 75 programs, including doctoral and law programs. Its vision, as a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution, is to become one of the finest private universities in the region, a gateway for graduates to professional lives as ethical leaders in Texas, the nation and the world.
San Antonio (July 31, 2025) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) announced the addition of two new members to its board of directors. These individuals will help guide the nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to improving the well-being of the least served since 1995. The new board members began their three-year term on July 1.
“We are excited to welcome these outstanding individuals to our board where they’ll join an incredible group of caring servants, equally committed to helping this organization advance health equity across our 74-county service area ,” said Mike Porter, Chair of the Board of Directors for Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “I look forward to seeing the impact they will make on this organization as we continue to fulfill our mission of ‘Serving Humanity to Honor God.’”
The two new board members include:
Larry Wilson Howard, Real Estate Development
Dr. Pamela E. Ray, Director of Service Learning & Career Development at Texas Lutheran University
MHM board members play a vital role in setting the direction and guiding the organization to advance a more level playing field for health in 74 counties across Texas. Since 1995, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has provided more than $1.66 billion in health care services through its clinical programs, as well as through partnerships, and is one of the largest private funding sources for community health care to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas.
As a 50-50 co-owner of Methodist Healthcare, MHM board members play an important oversight role in the governance of the healthcare system ensuring it provides quality care to all regardless of ability to pay. The earnings from the co-ownership of the health system allows MHM to fund efforts that strengthen communities and families, provide clinical care to the uninsured and the economically disadvantaged, and promote a more level playing field for healthy living—now and for generations to come.
Board members serve three-year terms and may serve up to three consecutive terms. In addition to serving on the general board, they also serve on one standing committee, such as the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Mission Committee, Investment Committee and Operations Committee. The board currently has 26 regular board directors and may have up to 27 at a given time. The board bylaws also dictate that at least 60 percent of the regular directors be members of The United Methodist Church.
“At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we are broadening the definition of health care as we continue our efforts to advance health equity throughout the communities we serve,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “These new board members will bless us with the leadership and the unique talents they will impart in the coming years, as we strive to improve the lives of the least served so all have an opportunity to thrive.”
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of health care by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
Round Rock, TX (July 29, 2025) – When healthcare meets legal advocacy, lives change. Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) has proven this powerful combination works, earning the organization the 2025 MLP Champion of the Year Award from the Texas Medical-Legal Partnership Coalition (TxMLPC). The award was presented during the TxMLPC’s 2025 MLP Conference and Annual Member Meeting held May 8-9.
“Our Medical Legal Partnership program has made incredible progress in a short amount of time and is now providing our patients and clients with access to a valuable legal resource that can help them resolve critical, life-altering issues that can impact their health and well-being,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We are incredibly proud of our policy & advocacy team that is spearheading this effort and grateful to the TxMLPC for the recognition and leadership in this area.”
Legal problems can make people sick. Housing disputes, benefit denials, and workplace issues don’t just create stress, they create health crises. MHM’s Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) program integrates the unique expertise of Texas RioGrande Legal Aide’s (TRLA) attorneys into the organization’s Dixon Health & Wellness Center and Wesley Health & Wellness Center. These advocates work hand-in-hand with clinicians, case managers, and social workers to address problems at the root of health inequities that contribute to poor health, as well as population health inequities. In the past year, this service has been expanded to support patients in the Coastal Bend and Mesquite County regions.
MHM partnered with TRLA to provide our patients with an experienced and dedicated legal team, fully integrated within MHM’s clinical locations for on-site service and coordination. “It has been a pleasure partnering with MHM to expand access to justice to some of the most medically and financially vulnerable people in our state. MHM has pioneered a stronger, more effective and sustainable Medical-Legal Partnership model that has allowed our legal advocates to coordinate their efforts with medical providers in a way that has been incredibly impactful,” said Robert Doggett, Executive Director of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.
MHM’s MLP program helps staff provide comprehensive care to patients, ensuring they achieve their best possible medical outcomes by removing obstacles to a healthy life that are outside of their doctor’s office. Since its inception, the MLP program has managed more than 2,000 referrals from MHM providers for patients facing barriers that require legal advocacy. The MLP team assists MHM patients with almost any civil legal issue they might be facing that could hamper their health or access to medical care, whether that might be securing stable housing by fighting unfair evictions, appealing erroneous denials of insurance, securing protective orders for those facing violence at home, or ensuring patients obtain and understand their advanced directives, guardianship plans, or face any other legal needs.
“The Texas Medical-Legal Partnership Coalition is proud to announce Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. as our 2025 MLP Champion of the Year,” said Keegan Warren, JD, LLM, President of the TxMLPC Board of Directors. “This esteemed award recognizes their outstanding commitment and significant contributions to advancing medical-legal partnership and improving the health and well-being of Texans. Their dedication to addressing health-harming social needs through integrated healthcare and legal services exemplifies the spirit of the MLP movement.”
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries broadens the definition of health care by providing low-cost clinical care for the uninsured and by supporting community-led efforts that improve living conditions that cause people to be sick in the first place. We use our earnings as co-owners of Methodist Healthcare to ensure that people who are economically disadvantaged and uninsured can live their healthiest lives. We do this by advocating for, investing in and providing access to quality clinical care and addressing factors that affect health—including economic mobility, supportive relationships, food security, broadband access, and safe neighborhoods. Ultimately, we fulfill our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by advancing health equity so that more resilient individuals & families living in the 74 counties we serve can thrive.
In bold-bright colors, the letters I-D-E-A-S stand tall amidst acres of greenery and towering mountains. The sign serves as a recognizable landmark for people who gather on the hillside for photos along the majestic backdrop; it is also a reminder of the power and potential of ideas. For over 20 years, bold and bright minds from around the world have convened at the Aspen Institute in Colorado for Aspen Ideas: Health (AIH). Despite their varying backgrounds and expertise, they each share a common goal – to elevate better health outcomes for all.
AIH has served as a global gathering for attendees across various sectors of government, public health, and philanthropy. Visionary thinkers and doers are brought to the stage each summer to share innovative ideas surrounding obstacles related to health, medicine, and science.
Among the 2025 list of speakers was Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. President, and CEO Jaime Wesolowski. In June, Wesolowski, along with a delegation of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ (MHM) team members, attended the annual conference. With a mindset for continuous growth, the team spent several days attending different sessions to learn and exchange best practices with other thought leaders; fostering deeper compassion and commitment to serve the least served.
Setting the stage for powerful perspectives and big ideas:
On day one, prior to the official conference kick-off, Wesolowski sat down with ABC News Correspondent, John Quiñones, who was also MHM’s special guest at the conference. Quiñones served as keynote speaker for MHM’s 2025 Connection Point Kick-Off in February. It was there he spoke of his humble upbringing on San Antonio’s west side and the path he forged as a migrant worker to a career in national news and television. Quiñones’ lived experience resonated deeply with team members and reflected the resilience found within the communities MHM serves. The overall impact a person’s testimony can have on others became the central theme for the podcast discussion.
Taking inspiration from Quiñones’ What Would You Do? series, the podcast was titled What Could You Do? The Power of Perspective. Wesolowski and Quiñones discussed the connection between storytelling and service. Wesolowski expressed the value of community perspective when it comes to creating community-led solutions. “We believe that the people closest to the challenges are the people that need to be leading the discussion.” Quiñones added, people must push past their own biases if they want to learn and collaborate with others, “They can teach you more than what your pre-conceived notions are about the community.”
Shortly after the podcast recording, some of the MHM delegation attended the opening session for the conference, where 10 speakers shared their “big ideas” related to their fields of expertise. Marty Kaplan is the director of the Norman Lear Center, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He emphasized the importance of storytelling and pointed to the role social media has in building narratives around health; he said, “fostering narrative accuracy isn’t just an outreach tactic, it’s a public health intervention; let’s give it the strategy and scale it deserves.”
Ideas inform and inspire
On day two, before the official AIH sessions began, the delegation attended Strengthening Communities: Investing in Local Leaders and Collective Action – a panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Global Innovators Group in partnership with the McNulty Foundation. Vanessa Tobares, Director of Strategy at MHM, was on the panel. She shared how the organization has focused its efforts and resources to strengthen communities across its service area. Tobares explains why it is important to share best practices with other thought leaders, “MHM needs to have a presence to elevate our work and the work of our partners at a national level, so that we can serve as a thought partner and contribute to shifting the narrative about what it takes for communities to be healthy.”
Follow the Money, For Good was a panel discussion hosted by MHM and moderated by Quiñones. Wesolowski was one of three panelists, which included Alyson Nieman, CEO, Mindful Philanthropy, and Dr. David Ansell, Senior Vice President for Community Health Equity, Rush University Medical Center. The topic drew interest from many AIH attendees as they learned the value of going beyond clinical care to invest in communities. Each of the panelists shared ways organizations can shift their stewardship and investment practices to advance their support across communities. “We must start our investments not where we might see more immediate impact, but where the greatest need—and sometimes fiscal risk—lies to truly be transformative in our accompaniment,” said Ansell.
Courtesy C2 Photography
MHM later hosted a private roundtable luncheon, Food as Friend – or Foe. System change thinkers, community leaders, and health and food advocates were invited to the table to discuss food systems and their overall role in physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Attendees were greeted with a “Shot of Salud,” a green blend of healthy vegetables, fresh fruit, and fiber. Wesolowski raised his glass and shared how the concoction became a daily ritual which gave him strength during his cancer treatment and later into remission. Wesolowski credited his wife, for finding the recipe and preparing the shot for him each day. The conversation later grew into a deeper discussion about the people who prepare and cultivate food systems. Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey of the Rio Texas Conferences said, “When I think about who’s missing from the conversation; it’s my mom, my Tia and my abuela, their love language is food—and their voice matters in shaping the future of food system narratives.”
Courtesy C2 Photography
Ideas and innovations continued to be shared during the final days of AIH. Each session and speaker illuminated the progress that has been made toward better health outcomes while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done. This exchange of best practices fueled the delegation’s passion and purpose in their own line of work and opened the door for possibilities. MHM recognizes the value of global stages, like AIH, as it allows the organization to share its journey with other thought leaders and highlight the service of its team members across the region. By building upon its strategic focus areas and forging new partnerships, MHM will continue to create a pathway toward better health outcomes; a testament to the power and potential of ideas.
Once upon a time… we all know a great story beginning with this phrase, and it is a great example of how stories stick with us over a lifetime.
Think of a favorite adventure from your life. This could be a favorite day, activity, work event, trip, or any situation to utilize as the framework for your story. Now consider all the details you would include to describe the story to engage your audience and give them context and a sense of your experience.
Storytelling engages the sensory cortex in the brain, which allows the audience to feel, hear, taste, and even smell your story. Neural activity increases by five times when listening to a story, and Cognitive Psychologist Jerome Bruner suggested that stories are remembered 22 times more easily than data, facts, and statistics.
There can be immense power in utilizing nonprofit storytelling to convey the mission, vision, values, and impact of your organization.There is always an amazing story to be told weaving together the origin, purpose, and outcomes that showcase a nonprofit’s mission. A well-crafted story will make the information shared more personal and prompt an emotional response in the audience, making a stronger connection to the message.
Necessary pieces of a compelling story:
relatable details
expressive language
a problem to solve
a clear call to action
A focused effort on crafting the story of your nonprofit will allow a common message to be shared throughout the organization and beyond, garnering more support among staff, volunteers, and donors.
Utilizing Visuals & Data
Combining visuals with your nonprofit story is incredibly effective. Photos and videos have a way of grabbing the attention of your audience differently than words alone. People are accustomed to visuals being included in information and marketing, which makes it a necessary practice for nonprofits. Sharing visuals will connect your audience even more to the story with a picture of people, activities, and the valuable impact being made. For example, a potential donor may not remember your exact mission, but they will remember a video they saw telling the story of a local family experiencing job loss and food insecurity who found resources through your organization.
Your nonprofit probably collects data for various needs such as grant reporting and tracking outcomes. This rich data can be used to make your storytelling even stronger. Data can be put into charts or graphs to create a clear visual to accompany your story, and there are also many programs you can use to create infographics.
Canva is an online graphic design tool with many premade templates, including infographic templates, and they offer a nonprofit discount giving you access to Canva Pro for FREE! Additional tools to create graphics are Infogram, Google Data Studio, Tableau, and many others. Put your good data to use in your storytelling!
Empowering Advocates & Inspiring Action
With good storytelling, your nonprofit can inform, inspire, and catalyze the audience to take action to support your organization. Empowering advocates to tell your nonprofit story is a way of amplifying the message being shared, and building essential connections with your community, volunteers, board members, funders, and donors.
Storytelling traditions have existed across generations and can both identify and uplift community values. Participatory storytelling can be utilized as a strengths-based approach to co-creating stories involving specific examples from clients and within communities being served.Client testimonials add incredible value to your storytelling and give life to facts and information about the organization’s accomplishments.
Strong storytelling is a powerful tool for nonprofits to connect with donors, build trust, and demonstrate impact, ultimately leading to increased fundraising and donor retention. Creating an emotional connection with donors, volunteers, and the community with a great story will help people remember your cause and may be a great entry point to build stakeholders for your organization.
Jaime Wesolowski is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. A healthcare executive with three decades of leadership experience, Jaime is responsible for the overall governance and direction of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Jaime earned his Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Xavier University, and his Bachelor’s of Science from Indiana University in Healthcare Administration. As a cancer survivor, Jaime is a staunch supporter of the American Cancer Society. He serves as Chair of the American Cancer Society’s South Texas Area board of directors and he was appointed as Chair to the recently created South Region Advisory Cabinet, covering eight states from Arizona through Alabama. Jaime believes his personal experience as a cancer survivor has given him more defined insight and compassion to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
