Creating a Roadmap for Growth with Logic Models
Photo: Lexi Hopkins, Founder and Executive Director of Wellness N Color
Wellness ‘N Color is a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention and destigmatization for Black women+. Their signature program, Shades of Strength, provides a peer support network for women impacted by suicide. Ultimately, this program creates a safe space for healing and connection.
When Wellness ‘N Color teamed up with Better Way Consulting, they needed a clear plan. This plan would help them grow, use resources wisely, and stay true to their mission.
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The Challenge
With ambitious goals to expand Shades of Strength, Lexi Hopkins, Founder of Wellness ‘N Color, wanted a clear path forward. She sought a way to prioritize resources and clarify which program activities had the most impact. Better Way Consulting's goal was to help her create a roadmap to guide growth while staying mission-focused.
The Solution
We recommended a logic model to outline inputs, strategies, and desired outcomes for Shades of Strength. Here’s how we developed their tailored roadmap:
Defining Inputs and Resources: We identified core resources Wellness 'N Color could mobilize to create change. These are funding, staff, partnerships, and volunteer support. This clarified the essential building blocks needed to sustain and grow their impact.
Establishing Core Strategies: Together, we outlined strategies that would lead to high-impact outcomes. These included community building, peer learning and support, and improving access and opportunities for Black women+. This strategy alignment ensured their services would directly support the program’s mission and drive measurable change.
Setting Immediate, Intermediate, and Long-Term Outcomes: We helped define clear outcomes across different timelines:
Immediate (3-6 months): Increased engagement in support groups and community events, improved awareness of health and wellness resources, and greater help-seeking behaviors.
Intermediate (6+ months): Increased social connectedness and reduced stigma around suicide.
Long-Term: Reduced suicidal behaviors, attempts, and deaths among Black women+.
The Results
The logic model gave Wellness ‘N Color a structured path for the Shades of Strength program. Key takeaways included:
Resource Focus: They could see which resources—like partnerships and volunteer support—would be critical to mobilize for their next phase of growth.
Aligned Strategies: By centering on community-building and peer support, they reinforced their mission and ensured their program activities led to meaningful, measurable change.
Clear Outcome Milestones: Wellness ‘N Color could track progress at each stage, from immediate engagement in the community to long-term suicide prevention impacts.
The Impact
With a logic model in place, Wellness ‘N Color developed a sustainable growth plan for Shades of Strength. This roadmap allowed them to expand strategically, knowing each step aligned with their mission to decrease suicidal behaviors and stigma among Black women+. They are now well-equipped to build on their impact, empowering more women in need of support.
"I enjoyed working with Dani at Better Way Consulting! She was extremely knowledgeable and put together multiple forms of a plan that accounted for the current state of my program and where we want it to grow. She took such an incredible deep dive into the work, I sometimes thought she knew it better than me.
It was wonderful to work with someone who really cares. It was clear that she was not only passionate about her work but mine as well. I could tell she wanted me and this program to excel. I loved the final logic model and evaluation plan we came up with, and it was tailored to my audience wonderfully. I 100% will be working with Better Way Consulting again!" — Lexi Hopkins, Founder of Wellness 'N Color
