The Connection Community Consultants Program
In 2005, The Connection was launched in response to both student requests for more short-term service opportunities in Baltimore, and community requests for collaborative project support.
The program connects students with community-based organizations (CBOs) in Baltimore to work on short-term projects.
Students can hone their interpersonal group skills and gain exposure to the world of non-profit organizations through short-term consulting projects (6-8 weeks) involving: policy and procedure writing, strategic planning, publication assistance, surveying, research, literature reviews, writing/revising grants, curriculum design, teaching health topics, and more. Topics vary year to year based on needs and requests. Previous projects focused on environmental health, intimate partner violence, nutrition, neighborhood development, and more.
Who Can Get Involved?
Any student in the Johns Hopkins health professional schools can participate. Faculty and staff may support or join teams on a case-by-case basis, and alumni can also get involved either as a team member or as a subject matter expert.
What is the Time Commitment?
Projects will be short-term, 6-8 weeks, with a flexible time commitment and an average of 3-4 hours per week.
How Do I Sign Up?
The Connection projects are offered in three rounds each year—fall, winter, and spring.
Please complete a Connection profile form to to be considered for upcoming projects and to receive project announcements for each round. Profile forms require a current copy of your resume or CV. Submitting a profile form does not imply or guarantee a commitment.
For alumni that wish to participate, please contact SOURCE at SOURCE@jhu.edu directly for assistance. Include your JHU school, program, and graduation year, as well as if you would like to serve on a team or as a subject matter expert. Be sure to attach your resume or CV.
Recent Examples of Connection Projects
“Equitable Out of School Time for Kids & Youth Programs” with Banner Neighborhoods
Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation was preparing to apply for American Rescue Plan Funds in order to expand Banner Neighborhoods sports programming for youth age 9-24. For the application, Banner wanted a literature review on the effects of COVID-19 on learning loss for children and youth in areas including: missed school time, learning loss, out of school programming, and workforce development.
“Increase Community Engagement around Food Security Programs ” with Good Harvest
Good Harvest Community Kitchen was looking to expand its social media presence in order to enhance brand awareness and engage Good Harvest’s existing supporters and stakeholders in programming initiatives, building an even larger, more robust community network. The final deliverable was a strategic plan for different social media platforms for various audiences.
“Developing an Instagram Campaign Series for Harm Reduction” with SPARC
SPARC wanted to develop a resource library and associated Instagram campaign. They were interested in creating a discussion about harm reduction, providing connections to services/resources in Baltimore, and connecting with non-harm reduction professionals to create greater understanding. Students developed a small library of Instagram posts that work cohesively together and achieve SPARC’s goals.
Information for CBO Partners
Are you in need of consultants for projects in strategic consulting, performance measurement, fundraising strategy or communications?