" When a massive F-5 tornado struck Tuscaloosa, Alabama in April, Temporary Emergency Services Inc. responded to the call before federal or state aid was widely available. TES dramatically increased its services in response to thousands of residents in need. The tornado struck a few months after completion of a NeighborWorks® America capacity assessment, which “came at just the right time”, according to executive director Karen Thompson. “The assessment’s emphasis on technical systems, including data collection and measuring outcomes has been so valuable in coping with our changed circumstances”, said Ms. Thompson.

TES is one of six Alabama nonprofits that participated in NeighborWorks capacity assessments sponsored by the United Way of Central Alabama. Celebrating its 46th year of service, TES partners with community organizations to provide a “first gateway to self-sufficiency” for more than 6,000 families, elderly, disabled, homeless, and unemployed people annually. TES generates one-third of its budget through a thriving thrift store, sustained by community donations and volunteers and supported by a large customer base.

Organizational Assessment Services went on-site in Tuscaloosa in late 2010. TES partners who participated in the opening meeting of the site visit included Mayor Walter Maddox and Cynthia Burton, executive director of Community Service Programs of West Alabama (CSP), a NeighborWorks Organization. Ms. Burton says, “Karen saw the value of a PROMPT assessment first hand as a CSP board member.”

TES immediately went to work on the assessment’s capacity building recommendations, adding to the board and engaging in strategic planning, “and then, here come the tornados,” as Ms. Burton put it. In the aftermath, she said TES “rose to the challenge”, operating 23 donated warehouses and coordinating hundreds of volunteers and several interns.

Executive director Thompson commented, “NeighborWorks gave us information about best practices and how we could apply and implement them. The wealth of knowledge and support provided in this process gave our board and staff appreciation for what we accomplish now and how to reach our goals for the future.” Recovery for Tuscaloosa will continue for some time, and TES is well positioned to play an important ongoing role.