Innovation

APC-Community Services, Inc. demonstrates innovation in its approach to empowering communities through tailored programs in health, education, and economic development. The organization's innovation is centered around its commitment to cultural competency and linguistic appropriateness, which ensures that its programs effectively address the unique needs of the communities they serve. By adopting this approach, APC-Community Services, Inc. can deliver services that resonate with their target audience, leading to more positive and sustainable outcomes.

Another area where APC-Community Services, Inc. showcases innovation is in its processes, specifically through collaboration and partnership building. By engaging with other organizations, stakeholders, and community members, the organization can pool resources, knowledge, and expertise to develop customized solutions that tackle the distinct challenges faced by the communities they work with. This collaborative methodology allows APC-Community Services, Inc. to create more impactful and targeted programs that cater to the specific needs of diverse populations.

The innovation techniques employed by APC-Community Services, Inc. can be replicated by other businesses, particularly those operating in the community development or social services sectors. By prioritizing cultural competency, linguistic appropriateness, and forging strong partnerships, organizations can gain a deeper understanding of the communities they serve and design tailored solutions that address their particular needs. Adopting this approach not only promotes inclusivity but also ensures that the programs and services offered have a more significant and lasting impact on the people they aim to support.

Inspiration

Upon completing her Ph.D. in Health Services, APC’s founder Dr. Janice McLean and colleague Dr. Malcolm Cort shared their point of view on the challenges they faced during their academic careers. During their journeys to completing their doctoral degrees, they noticed the inequalities faced by members of their communities. Aspects like healthcare access and informational resources were limited within their communities, just a few of the inequalities APC works night and day to combat. Moreover, the motivation behind starting this organization is due to the organization’s founder. Dr. Janice McLean’s life goal is to serve others and bring glory to God. By bringing APC-Community Services, Inc. to life, she has done just that. Through avenues such as volunteering, fundraising, and offering informational workshops raising awareness within their respective communities and around the world, APC-Community Services, Inc. and Dr. McLean’s efforts continue to be the driving force of keeping the organization alive and forever growing.

Overall impact

On a quantum level, APC shows that they are an organization that not only strives for now but the future as well. Regarding their potential impact, they take into account outside opinions and points of view which can only add to their mindfulness. The substance of APC’s long-term goals is based on assisting human well-being all around. One of the numerous ways that the organization makes use of its resources is through its medical missions. However, APC is self-aware that this is one of its areas of focus and wants to expand upon it. This in turn contributes to a net-positive impact. Their innovative thinking about how to help differing communities coincides with their potential impact as they would like to curate more workshops that focus on community outreach about health prevention methods in regard to matters such as HIV/AIDS.

APC’s current impact can be made possible due to its tireless efforts in regard to its many methods of community outreach. Their organization as a whole focuses more on giving back and how to help those in need. Workshops, medical missions, etc. are some of the many services that the organization offers; however, the issues that they campaign for are much larger. An example of their impact can be found in one of their international travels in Ghana and a representative for the organization stated in the conducted interview that their efforts in healthcare and education had reached out to about roughly 6000 people. Not only is APC making a difference within the local community, but they are also working internationally as well amongst other societies. The impact that APC has created around the world has made them a very reliable and reputable organization in achieving sustainable development goals such as quality education and good health and well-being.

Business benefit

It's been 27 years since the organization’s inception and APC-Community Services, Inc. is now globally recognized. The organization has touched all corners of our globe through the services they offer. Through the organization’s relentless efforts of bringing awareness to the general public on what they have to offer and hefty fundraising, APC-Community Services, Inc. has grown immensely. Initially, the organization began as a consulting partnership for graduate students. Now the organization has transformed into a resource powerhouse helping individuals all across the globe. Today APC offers the following services: after-school programs, consulting, mentoring, a leadership academy, violence prevention, seminars/workshops, training, diabetes prevention, diabetes management, hypertension prevention, hypertension management, and cooking classes. Through these services alone, APC-Community Services, Inc. has touched 1000s of lives throughout New York City. In addition, twelve years ago was the birth of the Medical Missions initiative. Year after year numerous medical missions take place all over the world in places such as St. Lucia and Ghana. During these missions, APC and its volunteers travel to a place in need of dire medical assistance. At the mission sites, individuals have access to medical, podiatry, pediatric, gynecology, vision, and dental services. The medical mission alone has helped tens of thousands of people around the world. As per our interview, the success of the organization is measured in the number of lives they have helped. At the end of the day, helping one person has a bigger impact than anything else. Moreover, APC-Community Services, Inc.'s success has allowed them to expand and begin building a school located in Nkoranza, Ghana that will help communities in need of education while also expanding their mission across the world.

Social and environmental benefit

APC shows much of its societal benefits with the help of the services provided to the community, such as their abroad missions, fundraisers, mentoring, counseling, and various managing programs regarding different health issues. Socially, their fundraiser for travel to aid those in countries such as Guyana and Ghana helps not only to create awareness of the organization, but creates connections within the community they are interacting with. If more people are aware of how beneficial APC is due to its fundraiser, then so many people from different groups can help the organization or seek help from them. Events such as their galas help to bring awareness as well.

Interview

Nia Menonca, Board Member

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