How H4H displays the 7C’s 

Hearts for the Homeless Orlando is a non-profit organization that strives to eliminate healthcare disparities through providing free healthcare services and more to the homeless community. In this entry, I will discuss how the Orlando chapter as a whole (the E-board members, screening directors, and student volunteers), acts on the 7 C’s of the Social Change Model of Leadership Development (SCM). The individual values of the 7 C’s are Consciousness of Self, Congruence, and Commitment. I would say that the organization is very strong in displaying congruence and commitment. Congruence specifically shows up in how the individuals at the organization speak with and handle our homeless clients. They recognize that the people of this community come from different walks of life and therefore have different values. When I was volunteering at a screening, one of the clients utilizing our services was being very vocal about their controversial beliefs and values. Although it would have been easier to ask for the assistance of a security guard or to tell the person to be quiet, the screening director at the time made the choice to listen to the individual and kindly help them to settle down. The organization also displays commitment in how it is dedicated to having regular screenings. These occur four times a week and the directors always do their best to make sure that everyone who wants to serve is able. For example, one day the assigned carpooler had to cancel only 2 hours before a screening. Instead of just informing those who needed carpooling that they would no longer be able to attend, the directors began urgently messaging people to carpool and in the end everyone received a ride. I would say that the organization could improve in terms of consciousness of self. Having a specific area where volunteers and clients could submit and receive feedback on our services would allow the organization to reflect and then improve on its weak areas.

A similar trend is present within the group values of the 7 C’s: collaboration, common purpose, and controversy with civility. H4H is strong in their collaboration and common purpose, but again doesn’t have a publicly accessible place for clients and other volunteers to submit feedback. Collaboration is very present within the organization because the board is constantly making arrangements with free healthcare clinics and donation services to aid the homeless community. The E-board and directors of the organization also collaborate to run donation drives; H4H held a donation drive last Friday that was able to raise $450 towards its cause. Common purpose is also very prevalent from what I have observed. The organization’s mission and the actions taken to achieve it are regularly mentioned in the H4H group chat to remind our volunteers why we do what we do. The last C of Social Change Model of Leadership Development is citizenship, and I would describe it as being the organization’s strongest value. Citizenship involves feeling socially responsible for one’s community and believing that an individual is capable of making a difference. This is the heart and soul of what the organization stands for. Although many of the volunteers are just undergraduate students, we all believe that we can make a difference in the Orlando community which is why we volunteer. The amount of student volunteers and their passion for what they do attests to the citizenship of the organization.