CUPS CHANGEWORK NARRATIVE
For the past 25 years, CUPS has held a vision of Calgarians overcoming adversity, reaching their potential, and ending the cycle of poverty and trauma for themselves and their families. An idea planted as a young, but sturdy sapling that has now grown into a flourishing tree.
Embodying Deep Values with Brave Truths
CUPS is considered a world-class example of a frontline service delivery model for marginalized clients. The organization proactively shares lessons and collaborates on scientific publications. The purpose of this changework narrative is to tell the story of CUPS' journey with other communities across the globe, to showcase possibility, leverage experience and learnings, and encourage solutions-focused collaborative action.
“Our scars are like the rings in a tree trunk, showing its progress through life. How we heal and move forward through adversity . . . that is what makes the difference. We can’t run from our problems; we need to face them.”
Author, Morgan Rhodes.
Once it was clear to CUPS that the key to stable, self-sufficient, and even thriving clients was embedded in the science of building resilient brains, CUPS implemented A Theory of Change in 2016 to close the gap between “what we know and what we do”.
One thing any organization can be sure of is that the winds of change will always blow. The question is: Will the tree bend, standing firm in its flexibility and the knowledge that its central root will hold it steady?
As an early adopter of brain science, CUPS collaborated with internationally respected researchers and universities such as the University of Calgary and Harvard Center on the Developing Child, presenting an exciting opportunity to translate scientific knowledge into practical application.
Brain science is the central root - the taproot of CUPS; providing a solid anchor while providing the flexibility to be nimble, responsive, and innovative. In 15 years, CUPS shifted its organizational focus from only intervention services to include prevention services to address the root of the trauma and thus help to truly break the cycle of poverty.
The Challenge of Building a Culture of Change
Intellectually, the new strategic approach to integrated care was crystal clear; however, organizations, like trees in a forest, are complex entities, and there are often gaps between policy and practice. Therefore to be ultimately and sustainably successful, CUPS leadership has to build a culture of change.
How does an organization create a shift in mindset between research and practice when the research itself is “unclear and emerging” or fluid, as it will be in all things innovative?
“Using scientific data creates theoretical alignment within an organization. It influences how you train and invest in your people. You start talking the same language.”
CUPS Calgary Key Investor
Professor at the Faculty of Nursing and Adjunct Research Professor with the Departments of Pediatrics and Community Health Sciences, at the University of Calgary
The Opportunity
Creating rings of continuous growth with collaborative partnerships
“At RBC, we want our relationship with our funding recipients to be more than a transactional relationship. CUPS is a classic example of maximizing the partnership. Together we bring the strengths of each organization to the forefront and leverage them wherever possible.”
CUPS Calgary Key Investor
Regional Director, Community Marketing and Citizenship
Royal Bank of Canada
CUPS is deeply committed to building stronger individuals, families, and communities across Canada and globally. In ever-increasingly complex environments, collaborative partnership opportunities are imperative and inter-provincial, or government-endorsed initiatives are key to moving the sector forward. After years of research, CUPS demonstrates values that will enrich any not-for-profit organization:
EDUCATION
Become a highly educated not-for-profit in your sector of advocacy.
Increase your ability to attract and retain talented staff who can help achieve your big vision.
RESEARCH & SCIENCE
Access and become involved in visible research and advocacy efforts.
Increase your credibility with funding partners and government entities to be able to demonstrate results.
COLLABORATION
Work together within the organization’s departments and structures and with primary partners to make positive, sustainable change using evidence-based data and information sharing.
Build interconnected strength and web-like resilience as you release siloed thinking and fragmented energy to harness wholeness for long-term systematic change.
DEVELOP SCIENTIFIC & ITERATIVE TOOLS
Produce evidence-based data when assessing clients, deciding on the programs offered and following up on the outcomes and impact.
Ensure maximum positive impact with your clients.
CHANGE THE SYSTEM
Disruption goes beyond navigating systems to actually changing systems.
Move beyond rhetoric to embody an inclusive and equitable society and model all that is possible for others - Roots of Rising Possibility.
"Trees have more than roots and rings. If you cut across a tree trunk just right, the trunk will show where it sent out branches... CUPS is recognized internationally for its evidence-informed approaches to programs and services for vulnerable individuals and families. In its collaborations, CUPS is careful to send out branches that will reach the sun. Yet, CUPS has been cautious to ensure there is enough groundwater to nourish its branches over the years because the branches are the services that support its diverse, but vulnerable population. CUPS is that tree in the forest that stands just a bit taller than the rest, but has branches that reach out and touch other trees to support them to support their clients."
~ Dr. Karen Benzies
Planning for Risks While Reaping Rewards
Theory of Change Strategic Plan of 2016 - 2021
“It has taken years to get to where we are. Beyond the buildings and finances, which have been a huge part of my role, technology has enabled CUPS to capture and interpret data, which has become a focal point moving forward."
CUPS Calgary Key Investor
Chair, Stonebridge Equity Partners
There is always risk in stepping up to grasp the 'big opportunity'. CUPS’ big opportunity to apply emerging brain science coincided with an economic downturn, political shifts in Alberta, and a global pandemic. CUPS used this complexity as a catalyst to go beyond just navigating the systems to changing them. Continuous learnings include:
How does an organization create a shift in mindset between research and practice when the research itself is “unclear and emerging” or fluid, as it will be in all things innovative?
Focus on building and continuously improving relationships between internal departments to share research and evidence-based data and information.
How to move forward with the challenge of innovating delivery models in a dynamic context?
There will always be continuous growth and learning because context is constantly shifting. Highly motivated and educated staff nurtured in a growth mindset and learning culture understand that change is innovation and will be excited to embrace what emerging evidence demonstrates will yield positive outcomes for clients.
This is not change for change's sake but rather holding ourselves accountable to continuously and bravely evolve our process and practice to respond to what evidence suggests will have the most positive, sustained, and intergenerational impact for clients.
Actions for a Hopeful Future, Globally
Rising possibility: The intended impact of research, practice and policy
"20 years ago, CUPS was a charity providing some basic supports. CUPS has become a world leader through science, with an expansive but disciplined vision, and a tremendous amount of will and desire in frontline services. CUPS has shown us that we need to spend our money differently and work together. This is how we take people from surviving to thriving."
CUPS Calgary Key Investor
Chair and Patron, Palix Foundation
Learnings to move us forward, collectively:
- Grow a deep and robust taproot—Choose a singular construct and integrate it into every part of the organization by 100% evidence-based education. At CUPS, this is our commitment to healthy, whole and integrated humans.
- Nurture a network of oblique heart roots—A multidisciplinary team of care coordinators, clinicians, specialists, educators, counsellors and others; plus external partners committed to your singular construct.
- Be proud of the rings that show your growth—Boldly seek out the big opportunity. Unexpected social, political and economic upsets are opportunities to redefine policy, systems and structures and create new growth paths.
- Grow branches from a strong tree trunk—Integrated services are the branches that grow from the support of a singular construct with committed focus and are in constant communication with each other.
- Keep pollination constant
- Develop and implement integrated care tools
- Achieve evaluation of integrated care, measuring outputs, outcomes, and impact
- Leverage technology in support of integrated care
- Blossom, flourish, grow fruit and spread the seeds with others
“Progress can be made by helping people to better understand the root of their challenges – in some cases taking the self-blame off their shoulders – and by offering integrated care aimed at helping them to acquire their own tools to achieve stability or self-sufficiency. There is a lot to be said, from the individual to the societal level, for building resilience. “
ACTivate 2021 - 2023
Roots of Rising Possibility kicks off this summer. Further details will be released in September 2021.
