In 2006, Palm Beach County began the difficult process of developing a countywide 10 Year Strategic Plan to End Homelessness. This process involved many focus group meetings with a variety of community partners and stakeholders, each having their own agendas. Following the 2006 American Grant Writers Conference, Ms. Yvonne Peterson's, Executive Director of Beyond Visions Foundation made a Strategic Planning presentation. As a result of her presentation and the information provided, I restructured the focus group meetings based on information and formatting gleaned from it. Although her presentation focused on strategic planning for seeking grant funds, Yvonne also provided concepts that were universal to any type of strategic planning.  As a result of utilizing the concepts gained from her presentation, these changes provided a more constructive exchange of information and ideas.  In September 2008, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners ratified the county's final 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. Yvonne' Petersen of Beyond Visions Foundation's  presentation proved to be a valuable tool in coordinating so many diversity community partners and stakeholders. Thank you for sharing your experience so other agencies and communities can grow.

Georgina Devine,
Continuum of Care
West Beach County, FL