Today’s Javelina team that’s making a difference
When Javelina formed ten years ago, it was around the principle that smart, creative work can change the world in a positive way. Each of the founding partners had come by our own paths to a certainty that this is what we wanted to do with our lives.
We developed a purpose, mission, and values that reflected our drive to make a difference, as well as three- and ten-year goals to make our hope a reality. In a recent team retreat, we looked back at what we’ve achieved over the last ten years and it was eye-opening.
Where Making a Difference Motivates Us
We have helped a wide range of businesses, non-profits, and other organizations that have been changing the world through a focus on affordable childcare, criminal justice, education, the environment, gun safety, healthcare, historical and cultural preservation, homelessness, hunger, international aid, human rights, empowering Latino voices, LGBTQ+ advocacy, reproductive freedom, support for senior residents, support for indigenous women and women of color holding elected office, survivors of child sexual abuse, and youth mentoring.
We successfully passed ballot measures to increase the minimum wage, provide workers with earned paid sick leave, invest in transportation infrastructure, and protect pension funds, among other things. We’ve helped deliver more than a billion dollars in public school funding through bonds and overrides and we’ve elected inspiring leaders that reflect the diversity of their communities–frequently defying expectations and long odds.
What We’ve Learned About Making Change
In ten years of supporting organizations and individuals to make structural and systemic change, we’ve learned a lot about how to create impact.
- Believe that you can. Society feeds us a steady narrative from infancy that the world is big, we’re small, and our ability to change things is meager. That narrative is demonstrably untrue, and only serves the status quo. Day in and day out, we work with people who are having major impacts. They’ve all felt overwhelmed and out-gunned at times, but when you press ahead and results start rolling in, the doubts evaporate.
- Know why you want to create change. When our clients dig deep to understand the core reason why this change matters for them and the people they serve, their efforts are immediately elevated. This is because – in the words of Simon Sinek – people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. When we can explain why our goals matter, more people want to help achieve them.
- Find your audience and tell them a story. Stories help us relate to each other and the world around us. No matter what change you want to see in your community, identify who you need to engage in your work and share your story with them.
As Javelina’s founding partners, we made a conscious decision to step outside of our comfort zones, leaning into change. This has made for 10 years of exciting and impactful work with the inspiring leaders who are our clients. We’re eternally grateful to them and to all of you who have supported our passion through this journey. In the years ahead, we look forward to seeing you on the front lines of even more issues that change people’s lives for the better.