For 52 years, Fenway Community Development Corporation (Fenway CDC) has been improving lives through affordable housing, community programs, and planning initiatives. To enhance its marketing and fundraising efforts, their Resource Development team partnered with Wayfair employees on a transformative skills-based project hosted by Common Impact in 2024.
We spoke with Iris Tan, marketing and development director at Fenway CDC, to learn about the nonprofit’s mission and her team’s experience at the event. Collaborating with experts in client growth planning, communications, market research, and project management, the Fenway CDC team gained valuable insights and inspiration. The event ignited fresh ideas and set the stage for Fenway CDC to develop innovative strategies, fostering meaningful, long-term relationships with corporate partners. The following are direct responses from Iris.
Neighbors are forming friendships, organizing events, and creating a stronger, more connected community. Seeing these relationships blossom and the positive changes in the neighborhood has been truly inspiring.
How Does Fenway CDC Help Neighbors Stay Housed and Build a Brighter Future?
Due to rising inflation, the demand for affordable housing for low-and moderate-income residents has increased. To support these residents, we collaborate with five nonprofits in the area to assists 350 residents through eviction prevention services, social services, job training, placement programs, education, financial coaching, computer training, and career fairs.
Fenway CDC provides safe housing for 700+ residents across 13 residential buildings. We are also planning for 143 new homes to be developed in the coming years. Furthermore, six units are being converted into homeownership opportunities for low-moderate income families, offering stability and expanding options in the Fenway neighborhood.
How Does Fenway CDC Build Community Through Careers, Food Access, and Leadership?
In October 2024, Fenway CDC hosted a vibrant career fair connecting 20 employers with over 230 job seekers. Our dedicated staff offered personalized career counseling, mock interviews, and resume reviews, equipping participants with essential job search skills. These services play a vital role in boosting confidence and increasing meaningful employment opportunities for residents.
Our commitment to fostering community also shines through the Fenway Cares Resident Leadership program. Funded by a $395,000 grant from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2022-2023), this initiative promotes healthcare access, financial stability, and resident leadership training. Trained community leaders manage food logistics and outreach, ensuring no neighbor is left behind. Every two weeks, approximately 430 residents receive fresh, healthy food to combat food insecurity. Additionally, over 950 residents enrich their lives through our arts and cultural events and activities.
What’s truly inspiring about all of this is that neighbors are forging friendships, hosting events, and creating a tightly-knit relationships. Our “theory of change” envisions a future where community initiatives are sustained by neighbors who care for and uplift each other.
Can you share a specific success story where Fenway CDC’s initiatives had a major impact on an individual or family?
Mary was a vulnerable woman who had not worked full time for nearly ten years and was facing so many challenges as a single mom with a seven-year-old son. She had health issues and was at risk of eviction. After being evicted, she stayed with her sister. I encouraged her to come to Fenway CDC’s Career Fair in 2023. She did, and my colleague, Fenway CDC’s Career Coach, advocated on her behalf to an employer, who offered her a job paying a good salary with benefits. For someone who had been out of the workforce for so long, this was life changing. Her story is one of resilience. She went from being nearly homeless and facing countless struggles to becoming financially independent. I am so proud of her. It has been a year now, and she is still working.
How Did Fenway CDC’s Collaboration with Wayfair Strengthen Partnerships and Expand Community Impact?
At the Wayfair skills-based employee event in spring 2024, Fenway CDC presented a key challenge: strengthening corporate partnerships to support our mission. With 20 current partners, we sought to grow this network and explore innovative ways for corporations and their employees to engage through fundraising, volunteering, events, and cause-marketing.
Our goal was to develop a comprehensive strategy to expand awareness, foster meaningful partnerships, and amplify our impact on the 2,500+ Greater Boston residents we serve annually. This project aimed to create mutually beneficial relationships that align with our mission of breaking barriers and providing access to affordable housing and vital support services.
What Lasting Impact Did Wayfair Volunteers Have on Fenway CDC’s Mission?
Working with Wayfair volunteers provided a game-changing boost to our corporate partnership efforts. Their research, data analysis, and strategic recommendations exceeded my expectations, especially given the tight timeline. What surprised me most was their mission-focused questions and delivering actionable insights that directly addressed our challenges.
Beyond their initial contributions, their enthusiasm led to lasting engagement—three volunteers have already committed to ongoing support. One, with exceptional online marketing expertise, will be instrumental in enhancing our partnership strategies. Another, a local from Brookline, is eager to dive deeper into our mission. These connections have not only strengthened our team but also opened doors for innovative collaboration. I’m excited to see how their involvement shapes our growth in the coming year.
The Wayfair volunteers truly amazed me with how much they accomplished and the effort they put into our project challenge. Having completed an MBA program myself, I was impressed by their research, analysis, and how they presented their findings. They asked insightful questions about our data and offered thoughtful strategies. Considering the short timeframe, their dedication, energy, and enthusiasm were remarkable.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for Fenway CDC’s growth and impact?
We’re gearing up to launch our corporate engagement initiatives in 2025, guided by several key recommendations from the Wayfair volunteers. One pivotal suggestion was to simplify our contribution levels, making it easier for corporate partners to get involved—a strategy we’re already refining. Another was to strengthen our social media presence, which we’re eager to roll out. The biggest takeaway, however, was the importance of engaging corporate employees in meaningful ways. This has inspired us to pursue partnerships similar to our successful collaboration with Wayfair, while also expanding to other organizations.
I’m deeply grateful to Common Impact and Wayfair for their support. Their insights not only sharpened our strategy but also connected us with new potential collaborators like Housing Families. As we extend our marketing efforts across Greater Boston, I’m excited to see these strategies drive deeper corporate engagement and stronger community ties.
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