Booz Allen Is Honored for Helping At-Risk Children

Several weeks into Booz Allen Hamilton's comprehensive survey as part of a program to develop a vision, mission, and long-range strategy for the Children's Home & Aid Society of Illinois (CHASI), Senior Vice President Gary Ahlquist and other Booz Allen team members were startled by one particular fact they unearthed: The average age of a homeless person in Illinois isn't 20 or 40 or even 60. It is 9.

"That floored us, and demonstrates why we think this work is so important," says Ahlquist, who heads the Booz Allen team that has been honored as the CHASI Corporate Partner of the Year for its report, entitled "Vision 2010." "Helping provide a framework for CHASI's future planning and growth will guide them in their continuing quest to provide quality programs to children in need."

Ahlquist accepted the award May 22, 2003, on behalf of Booz Allen at CHASI's annual meeting in Chicago. The award is presented to organizations that provide a profound impact on this venerable, 120-year-old, nonprofit organization's mission to meet the needs of children, their families, and their communities. Past Corporate Partners of the Year include Household International, Ameritech, and the Chicago White Sox.

Framework for the Future

"Booz Allen's guidance in the Vision 2010 process and the extensive information gathered through their comprehensive survey was an enormous contribution," says Mitzi Freidheim, CHASI's Chairman of the Board of Trustees. "This growth plan enhances tremendously our focus and gives us the information we need to better meet the needs of at-risk children and families."

Founded in 1883, CHASI reaches out to more than 60,000 children and families each year in 40 Illinois counties. Services include adoption, child and family counseling, early childhood education, foster care, intact family services, parent support, residential treatment, and youth services, in addition to community outreach and volunteer and education programs.

SVP Gary Ahlquist

Vision 2010 creates a long-range plan for CHASI by examining their performance, capabilities and opportunities in light of the evolving needs of children and families. The Booz Allen plan, put together by Ahlquist and former employees Michelle Pyun and Christiane Shah, creates seven directional statements intended to chart CHASI's course through 2010, building in a detailed timeline for implementation.

Looking Local

Booz Allen recommends that CHASI move toward a more community-based, local focus for family services; that it adjust to the evolving managed-care environment; and, that it work to raise its public profile in public policy, program innovation, research and training, and fund-raising.

Booz Allen staffers say the survey findings, which took three months of research, reinforce CHASI's mission to respond to the needs of at-risk children and families. To do so, Booz Allen recommends that CHASI, for example, focus on the following:

• Expand its programs to focus on support for children who have been removed from abusive environments.



• In light of the changing managed-care environment, provide leadership in the development of a system of care for children and their families.



• Building collaborative partnerships, particularly in the world of education. CHASI has existing partnerships with the Chicago Public Schools and the YMCA.

"Taking an external perspective on the needs of children can give an organization a valuable insight on how to move forward," says Ahlquist, a CHASI board member for five years. "We've helped them identify areas to focus — and in doing so, set their priorities in serving children and their families. We're proud to be their partners in making the world a better place for those in such great need."

story posted May 23, 2003