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In this episode, I had the honor of speaking with Gloria, known as The Queen of Outreach, a true legend in the field. With 25 years of experience in community outreach strategies, Gloria shared her insights, anecdotes, and tips to make a positive impact on communities and organizations. Here are the key highlights from our conversation:
Who Is Gloria and Why Is She the Queen of Outreach?
Gloria began her outreach journey with Catholic Charities, serving over 50,000 clients annually. Her career led her to become a key figure at the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, one of the largest community agencies in the United States.
* Breastfeeding Baby Showers: Gloria pioneered events promoting breastfeeding, significantly reducing the infant mortality rate among African Americans in Fresno.
* National Recognition: Her efforts were recognized by the WIC Association, putting Fresno on the map for health initiatives.
The Power of Outreach: More Than Connecting People
Gloria emphasized that outreach isn’t just about connecting with customers but also with organizations, businesses, and communities. Her ability to build meaningful relationships transformed small events into major successes, such as growing attendance from 150 to over 5,000 in just three years.
Key Lessons:
* Believe in What You Offer: Authenticity is the foundation of effective outreach.
* Grassroots Approach: Face-to-face interactions build trust and leave a lasting impact.
* Empathy and Problem-Solving: Identifying people’s needs and providing immediate solutions sets outreach professionals apart.
How Did Gloria Start in Outreach?
Interestingly, Gloria didn’t plan to pursue outreach. Raised in a family of nine and serving as her mother’s interpreter, she learned to connect with people at a young age. As a teenage mom, she sought services for her family, which eventually led her to discover her passion for helping others.
Inspirational Quote: "I don’t have a college degree, but I have a degree in helping people. And that’s worth more than any diploma."
Gloria’s Tips for Effective Outreach
Gloria shared practical advice for those looking to excel in outreach:
* Know Your Audience: For children, create engaging activities like bubble machines or prize wheels.
* Be Resourceful: Collaborate with mascots, police, and fire departments—they often participate for free and boost community trust.
* Work as a Team: Always have at least two people at events to interact with attendees and manage logistics.
* Focus on Small but Impactful Details: Cold water bottles, toothbrushes, and backpacks can be the perfect hooks to attract families to your table.
Is Outreach for Everyone?
While being extroverted helps, Gloria believes anyone can learn outreach if they have a passion for helping others. Even introverts can succeed by following a script and practicing.
The Secret to Success: Caring about people and meeting their needs is the most important part. When you love what you do, people can feel it.
The Future of Outreach
Wrapping up the episode, Gloria discussed how outreach strategies can adapt to modern ti...
