{"id":25338,"date":"2025-08-04T11:27:31","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T18:27:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/encompassnw.org\/?p=25338"},"modified":"2025-11-25T13:00:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T21:00:15","slug":"from-mission-to-purpose-a-heartfelt-evolution-at-encompass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encompassnw.org\/from-mission-to-purpose-a-heartfelt-evolution-at-encompass\/","title":{"rendered":"From Mission to Purpose: A Heartfelt Evolution at Encompass"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Mission to Purpose: A Heartfelt Evolution at Encompass\u00a0<\/strong>
\nBy Kim Darby, Encompass Board President, and Nela Cumming, Encompass Executive Director<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"In 2024, the Encompass Board of Directors embarked on a journey\u2014one rooted in reflection, community, and hope for the future. Our goal was to chart a bold and thoughtful course for the next five years. To do this, we formed a strategic planning committee made up of board members and staff leaders. Together, we listened to voices from across our community \u2014 families, staff, and partners \u2014 and studied data that revealed both the challenges and the opportunities ahead.<\/p>\n

This collective effort led to the creation of our new strategic plan:\u00a0Encompass 2030<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

From Mission to Purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n

As part of our planning process, we revisited our mission and vision. We asked ourselves:\u00a0Are these words still true to who we are? Do they reflect the heart of our work and the needs of our community?<\/em><\/p>\n

What emerged was a powerful realization. While our mission had served us well, we needed something more immediate. A statement that could live in every interaction, every decision, every child\u2019s story.<\/p>\n

So, we made a meaningful shift: from a\u00a0mission statement<\/strong>\u00a0to a\u00a0purpose statement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Why a Purpose Statement?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mission statements can sometimes feel abstract or distant. But purpose? Purpose is personal. It\u2019s the heartbeat of an organization. It answers the question:\u00a0Why does Encompass exist?<\/em><\/p>\n

Our former mission, \u201cEncompass partners with families to build healthy foundations for children,\u201d has evolved into a clearer purpose: \u201cThe purpose of Encompass is to improve the well-being of children by partnering with families and the community.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

What Does \u201cWell-Being\u201d Really Mean?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The word \u201cwell-being\u201d may seem simple, but for us, it carries deep meaning. It reflects the whole child: their physical health, emotional resilience, developmental growth, and sense of belonging.<\/p>\n

At Encompass, we serve children of all abilities, from birth through elementary school. Whether we\u2019re providing early support, pediatric therapy, mental health support, or early learning programs, our goal is always the same: to nurture every aspect of a child\u2019s development.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell-being\u201d captures this holistic vision. It\u2019s not just about where a child starts; it\u2019s about where they can go and who they can become.<\/p>\n

The Power of Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n

We know that children don\u2019t grow in isolation. They thrive when their families, caregivers, and communities are supported. That\u2019s why our purpose centers on\u00a0partnership<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Our tagline, “Children. Families. Community.”,<\/em> is more than a slogan. It\u2019s a promise. We believe that parents and caregivers are a child\u2019s first and most important teachers. We\u2019re here to walk alongside them, offering tools, encouragement, and care every step of the way. When we partner with families and communities, we create a circle of support that surrounds each child with love, strength, and possibility.<\/p>\n

Purpose and Vision: Hand in Hand<\/strong><\/p>\n

While our purpose has evolved, our vision remains steadfast:<\/p>\n

\u201cA community where ALL children thrive.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

This vision is our north star for our purpose of improving the well-being of children.\u00a0 \u00a0Partnership is the path that leads us there. We believe that our purpose will lead us to our vision by keeping our focus on the unique needs of the child, in partnership with their family and with the support of their community.<\/p>\n

Encompass 2030 and Beyond<\/strong><\/p>\n

With Encompass 2030, we\u2019re setting our sights on a future where every child in the Snoqualmie Valley has access to the support they need and where at least half of the children in surrounding areas can benefit from our programs by 2030.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re committed to expanding services like Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT), Community-Based Pediatric Therapy, and Mental Health programs because we know the need is great and growing.<\/p>\n

Before we launch any new service, we ask ourselves three guiding questions:<\/p>\n