We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Torbin Green a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Torbin, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

St. Francis Neighborhood Center (SFNC) has served the 21217 zip code in Central West Baltimore for over 60 years. The area has been plagued with poverty, the lack of food access, drug addiction, and lack of resources. The community has been fighting the decline of the neighborhood even before the 1990s when Baltimore City tore out homes and the commercial district that provided jobs and resources. Having SFNC as an advocate and providing these lost resources back to the community is in alignment with our mission statement to “end generational poverty through resources and education.” Throughout each week you can see how the programs we offer help the community including our flagship program -The Power Project an after-school program providing education, tutoring, mentoring, college and career support, and wrap-around services to support families. Whatever the community needs, we provide.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started at SFNC as a volunteer. I was impressed with seeing the youth coming and going, using the Center as a secondary home to feel safe. Once a position was open, I left the flagship Sylvan Learning Center and joined the SFNC team as an instructor/teacher. After ten years, and working my way up from every position, I became the Executive Director in 2022! Known as Mr. Torbin, I dedicated my time to working with the youth, adding and giving structure to the Programs SFNC provides. I’m drawn to the Non-Profit industry because I was taught by my Mom to always give back and educate oneself. SFNC was the perfect fit and now we are at the final stages of completing a Capital Campaign to increase our capacity from 75 youth to almost 200. SFNC helps families with wrap-around services and education not only for the youth but professional development for the parents and community. I am proud that an anchor institution like SFNC can have a huge impact on the daily lives of the people we serve. One example would be how the local park (German Park) was once an open drug market and now has been transformed into a safe place for children and families to gather. This was possible by creating a community group called “Friends of German Park” in which the community became the steward. Partnerships are important as well. We collaborate and communicate with other organizations in the area to foster a sense of teamwork and collaboration.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The book Crucial Conversations has significantly impacted my management and communications style. When stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong, you have three choices: Avoid a crucial conversation and suffer the consequences; handle the conversation badly and suffer the consequences. By reading Crucial Conversations, I discovered how to communicate best when it matters most. Crucial Conversations gave me and my staff the tools to step up to life’s most difficult and important conversations, say what’s on our minds, and achieve positive resolutions, all in a safe space. All new staff are required to read the book.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Even before I became the Executive Director, everyone in the neighborhood thought I was already. My reputation of empathy, being genuine, and always listening to the community and partners was built with hard work and forethought. Collaboration with other organizations was a major need and I helped make sure through partner meetings and events that a blanket of services were available to the community we served. I have always been considered a “doer”. If I can see it, I can build it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stfranciscenter.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stfrancisbmore/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stfrancisbmore
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torbingreen/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/StFrancisBmore