A Unified Approach to Social Impact: HEAL, CSRN & 180 Degrees Consulting
Introduction
At its center, HEAL Refugee Health & Asylum Collaborative is about care — making sure that immigrants and asylum seekers have access to the healthcare and support they need to rebuild their lives. Based in Baltimore, HEAL offers everything from medical evaluations to mental health services, all tailored to help heal, grow and thrive. But keeping this work going takes more than compassion—it takes collaboration, resources, and a strong network of support.
This is where 180 Degrees Consulting (180DC) and the Corporate Social Responsibility Network (CSRN) step in. CSRN connected HEAL with student consultants from 180DC, strengthening its communications, fundraising, and partnerships—and amplifying its mission and reach.
| “In 2024, HEAL served 240 individuals from 39 countries, speaking 23 native languages.” |
Source: HEAL Newsletter
HEAL’s Mission and Services
HEAL plays a role in providing care for immigrant and refugee survivors. Their services include:
- Forensic Medical Evaluations (FMEs): Documenting evidence of torture or persecution to support asylum applications.
- Mental Healthcare: Offering trauma-informed therapy and culturally competent counseling.
- Medical Care: Addressing disparities in healthcare access for non-English-speaking refugees.
- Women’s Health Services: Providing holistic care for survivors of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).
- Social Services: Connecting clients with essential resources and legal aid.
Despite its impact, HEAL faces challenges in securing consistent funding, increasing outreach, and building new partnerships. That’s where CSRN and 180DC’s support became valuable.
| ““They were very, very professional and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, because I needed someone to cry on, and I cried my pains out… I didn’t know that I had a lot of pain in my heart like that because you know back then at home, you couldn’t really cry to anybody, because almost everybody are victims.”—HEAL Forensic Evaluation Client |
How 180 Degrees Consulting Helped HEAL Expand Its Impact
A team from the University of Edinburgh’s 180DC branch worked with HEAL over 200+ hours, holding nine strategy sessions and seven client meetings. Together, they focused on three goals: growing HEAL’s social media presence, strengthening partnerships, and improving communications. The result? More than $10,000 raised within nine weeks and a sustainable roadmap for the future.
1. Amplifying HEAL’s Voice on Social Media
HEAL’s digital presence underwent a transformation thanks to a social media strategy crafted by the 180DC team. A key development was a Giving Tuesday campaign built on a “2-2-1” content model: two educational posts, two emotion-driven stories, and one compelling call-to-action. These posts humanized HEAL’s work while guiding followers toward engagement and action.
In tandem, the team launched HEAL’s Instagram account, complete with a customized Linktree that facilitated access to donation links, volunteer opportunities, and resources. Performance metrics showed strong potential for community growth—over 60% of views came from new audiences.
To support long-term engagement, 180DC delivered a full content calendar template, platform-specific guidelines, and a suite of design assets via Canva. From LinkedIn posts tailored for legal and medical professionals to visually rich Instagram stories for a younger demographic, HEAL now has a toolkit to keep driving awareness and engagement.
2. Building Bridges Through Strategic Partnerships
The 180DC team also focused on expanding HEAL’s network of funders and allies. They built a customized database of potential partners—from law schools and medical associations to LatinX community groups and corporate sponsors like TD Bank.
An outreach toolkit, including a ready-to-use email template, was designed to help HEAL initiate conversations. The team also created a feasibility-impact matrix to prioritize high-potential opportunities. For example, engaging with university alumni networks or LatinX advocacy groups offered both strong alignment and realistic feasibility.
These targeted strategies opened new doors for grassroots and institutional support.
3. Reimagining the Newsletter Experience
When it came to donor communication, 180DC didn’t just refresh HEAL’s newsletter—they reimagined it. Previous versions had limited engagement because they were content-heavy and difficult to skim, The new approach focuses on visual appeal, clear calls-to-action, and storytelling that resonates.
A special Giving Tuesday edition exemplified the change: short, impactful content blocks, emotionally compelling imagery, and a streamlined path to donate. Beyond this, the team ensured that all newsletter elements were consistent with HEAL’s broader visual identity by using custom Canva templates and a design strategy.
As HEAL moves forward, their communication is now more personal and impactful at every step which allows stronger connections within its community and beyond.
Source: HEAL Instagram
CSRN’s Contribution: The Bridge Between Social Impact and Expertise
CSRN played a role in matching HEAL with the right consulting team that gave them tailored and actionable solutions. By facilitating collaborations like this, CSRN enabled social impact organizations to benefit from top-tier strategic consulting—free of charge.
The partnership not only helped HEAL expand its fundraising and outreach but also provided 180DC student consultants with real-world experience in non-profit strategy and social impact consulting. This dual benefit strengthens both the non-profit and the next generation of socially conscious leaders.
Conclusion: The Power of Collaboration
The partnership between HEAL, CSRN, and 180 Degrees Consulting showcases how strategic collaboration can amplify the impact of social good organizations. By harnessing student talent, connecting resources, and fostering innovation, this initiative has strengthened HEAL’s capacity to serve the most vulnerable.
As HEAL continues its work, this collaboration serves as a model for how universities, social enterprises, and non-profits can join forces to drive meaningful change.
Author: Catalina Rincon
