Stephanie Helms
Freelance Non-Profit Writing: Communithy Health Foundation, Community Health Services
I have written a great deal for non-profit organizations involved in bettering the lives of the elderly, chronically ill, and persons with fixed or little income. Topics like hospice care, prescription programs, and neighborhood renewal may seem incredibly dry, but at the core of these subjects live real human stories. It is this human element that drives a writer to look past the mechanics of these non-profit programs, and make a connection with readers by helping to uncover something real, relatable, and heartfelt.
These assignments were not easy. The constraints of writing for a non-profit organization, especially one dealing with medical care, are many and surprising. Finding a tone that was both warm yet objective was a struggle, but it taught me a lot about being creative under stylistic constraints. This later helped me write scripts for GESW that adhered not only to agency style guidelines, but overarching AT&T brand guidelines.
I first started writing short articles, such as ‘Behind the Scenes: A Day at ElderCare Pharmacy’ for the Community Health Foundation's quarterly publication, The Beacon. As an outsider, I had to learn everything about the organization - from what they strive to do, to how they differ from other pharmacies, to their highly regulated inner-workings. I had to convey unfamiliar information to a knowledgeable audience while maintaining a casual tone, and adhering to the legal guidelines of non-profit writing; more importantly, I had to walk the audience through a complex process in a relatable and compelling way. I tried to link the human aspect of the pharmacy to the step-by-step of medication fulfillment by including bits from interviews and examples of patient needs.
Later, I was referred to the over-arching organization, Community Health Systems, to write content for their Annual Report. That was my largest project up to that point outside of school. I interviewed the presidents and vice presidents of 7 umbrella organizations, wrote a letter from the CHS president, and tried to convey how each group embodied the core values of the organization at large. I have included a few sample pieces from the report, but viewing it in its entirety provides a more complete picture.
I continued writing articles and newsletter features for CHS organizations, one of which was in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity Macon. This assignment was really enjoyable! On several occasions I had the pleasure n interviewing Mrs. Ann Saunders, an employee of a CHS organization who had recently benefited from the Macon Area Habitat for Humanity's newest neighborhood renewal initiative.
I am still involved in non-profit creative work as a volunteer social media consultant and press officer to Animal Savers Rescue. Please see some of my work below.
