Shared Safety’s Strategic Plan: The Serve Philadelphia VISTA Impact

Shared Safety brings together more than 35 organizations to coordinate Philadelphia's response to relational violence in the health and human services system. Created in 2014, this coalition has shifted and evolved. To support Shared Safety's continued work, the Office of Domestic Violence Strategies (ODVS) brought on Serve Philadelphia VISTA member Amina Hafairi in 2024. Her goal was to refresh and strengthen Shared Safety's strategic plan.

Amina began by getting to know Shared Safety. She met individually with members from city agencies and community-based organizations. Career experts shared ideas and feedback. Overall, many agreed that their original six goals remained the same. But members needed new ways to achieve them.

Next came defining those strategies. Amina facilitated group sessions, encouraged brainstorming, and gathered more feedback. She led exercises and presentations. These supported members in developing ideas and collaborating on solutions.

Because members volunteer on top of their full-time work, it can be hard to know exactly how to contribute. Amina introduced accessible tools and consistent touchpoints for easy engagement.

Elizabeth Pride, her supervisor, emphasized the importance of Amina's role as a fresh presence. "Amina asked members what they want, then put that feedback into action," said Pride. "This helps everyone stay connected to the purpose behind their work."

In a no small feat, the strategic plan was renewed in just one year. Each goal now has clear strategies to guide the next 5 years.

Amina also helped Shared Safety secure a grant to create a Survivor Advisory Board (SAB). This funding allowed Shared Safety to compensate survivors who aren't part of any agency for their expertise. The SAB brings the perspective of people directly impacted by relational violence into work to change systems for the better.

There were challenges along the way. Strategic planning is complex, and aligning a large group is never easy. But the Shared Safety VISTA role shows that capacity building is more than plans. It is about people and the relationships behind them.

As Amina reflected, "My favorite part was working with people. I loved seeing how everything is connected." Her words highlight how Shared Safety brings people together to address system issues. Two members recently presented on Shared Safety and its work at the 2025 Domestic Violence National Conference. They showcased Philadelphia's unique way of working together across health and social services.

By sharing examples of large-scale collaboration, they showed how these efforts are successful in Philadelphia. It could also be a model for other places, too.

Now in her second year of service, Amina is turning planning into practice. Her dedication ensures that Shared Safety's strategic plan is not just words on a page. The plan is a structure for moving forward. Built by survivors, city agencies, and community providers, the framework will ensure health and human services systems are more prepared to meet the needs of survivors and their families.

Thank you, Amina, for your service and for showcasing the power of capacity building!