Our Strategy and Guiding Documents

History

The Kent County Essential Needs Task Force (ENTF) was formed in 1982 in response to the struggles that people living in Kent County residents were facing  to meet their basic needs. ENTF focuses on system change with an emphasis on collective impact and the interconnectedness of all systems.

Mission

We advance equitable outcomes for all people in Kent County within the systems of transportation, food and nutrition, energy efficiency, economic and workforce development, and digital inclusion.

Vision

We envision a bright, prosperous future where systems are people-centered and ensure equitable access to opportunities, tools, networks, and resources to meet current and emerging needs for all people in Kent County.

families in a crosswalk

Values

Collaboration

We believe we are stronger together than apart. We seek to create space where all people in Kent County can bring their full selves and share their perspectives. We value aligning systems to build a more cohesive network of essential needs organizations.

Accountability

We are answerable to one another for how we work together toward our shared vision. We engage in curiosity-driven dialogue and embrace discomfort. We examine our methods and results. We combat systems of white supremacy, socio-economic class, and other forms of discrimination. We are responsive to our community and commit to holding decision makers accountable to equitably addressing essential needs.

Equity

We acknowledge that systemic discrimination is embedded throughout our essential needs systems, resulting in both disparate access and outcomes. We are committed to confronting this legacy and current forms of oppression. We must listen to and amplify the voices of people who are still excluded from positions of power. We believe that justice must be realized through equity.

Transformation

We value systems change to address the causes of inequities in our community. We recognize that essential needs have been addressed through an enduring emergency response; these traditional charity models are not working. We support transformative strategies that help individuals achieve long-term household stability.

Action Areas

Connecting

We support stakeholders in building and strengthening relationships, partnerships, and collaborative efforts.

Community Learning

We build capacity, confidence, and leadership among partners and community members.

Data and Understanding

We build knowledge of the community’s current state using data, diverse experiences, and intentional storytelling.

Collaboration

We believe we are stronger together than apart. We seek to create space where all people in Kent County can bring their full selves and share their perspectives. We value aligning systems to build a more cohesive network of essential needs organizations.