Coaching in the Non-Profit Arena by Marilyn Edelson

Coaching in the Non-Profit Arena
by Marilyn Edelson

Many of our clients use coaching principles in the non-profit arena. Here are two of my favorites examples.

Bea Fulton of Philadelphia, a participant in our coach Teleclass training program for therapists, shared the results achieved with clients in her agency's STAR program, which deals with HIV positive teens. Medication compliance was a huge issue amongst the client population since most felt they had nothing to live for. When agency social workers began to ask "powerful [coaching] questions," such as "How does taking all of your medication, when you're supposed to take it, fit into the achievement of your goals?" clients tuned into buried hopes, visions, and desires for the present and dreams for the future. The key was having coaching foster a sense of true ownership and responsibility for their illness and responsibility for the will to live despite it. Through having teens mentor other teens, they became givers and developed an understanding that those who wish to give must take care of themselves in order to continue to give.

Karen Yahara, owner of Sasuga Japanese Bookstore in Cambridge, Massachusetts, began Birthday Wishes, an organization dedicated to providing birthday parties to children living with their mothers in shelters due to domestic violence. While Karen was working with me on her business, it became evident that making a difference for others was a critical part of her success formula. Her store promoted origami events and bowling for charity, but Karen needed to do something even bigger. Inspired by volunteer work she had done in homeless shelters, she saw a simple but critical need she could meet. She approached Second Step in Newton, MA, last year and the program, which has been a big success, has since expanded to serve three shelters. Non-profit status is being applied for, and organizations from other areas have expressed an interest. For more information about Birthday Wishes, contact Karen directly at or at Sasuga Japanese Bookstore, 617-497-5460.

OnTrack works with non-profit leaders and leadership teams. If you run a non-profit organization or have an idea about starting one, we would love to hear from you. Contact Marilyn at or 617-964-3202.