ABOUT ADVOCATING for CHANGE, INC.
Building Stronger Communities Through Advocacy, Education, Leadership, and Healing.
Founded in 2001, Advocating for Change, Inc. is a community-based organization committed to empowering individuals, strengthening families, and creating lasting change. Through advocacy, education, leadership development, resource navigation, and healing-centered initiatives, AFC works alongside communities to address today’s challenges and build a stronger future.
Our Leadership Framework
Advocating for Change, Inc. is guided by the A.C.E.S. Model™, an original leadership framework developed by Dr. Cassandra D. Edwards to strengthen accountability, build trust, encourage reflective leadership, and create sustainable community impact.
Accountability
Owning our role in creating change through integrity, responsibility, and transparency.
Credibility
Earning trust through consistency, ethical leadership, and honoring our commitments.
Effective-Reflective Leadership
Leading with purpose while learning, evaluating, and improving our impact.
Sustainability
Building systems, partnerships, and leadership that continue beyond us.
Meet Our Founder
Dr. Cassandra D. Edwards is the Founder and Executive Director of Advocating for Change, Inc. A nationally recognized community advocate, educator, scholar, minister, and leadership strategist, she has dedicated more than two decades to strengthening communities through advocacy, education, leadership development, and systems change.
Drawing from lived experience, academic scholarship, and grassroots community engagement, Dr. Edwards developed the A.C.E.S. Model™ and the Protection vs. Prevention™ framework to help organizations move beyond crisis response toward sustainable healing, accountability, and prevention. Her work continues to influence schools, nonprofit organizations, faith communities, and public agencies through training, consulting, research, and community partnerships.
“My community has always been my classroom, and service has always been my calling.”
Why Work With AFC
Trusted Community Leadership
More than two decades of experience serving families, schools, faith communities, and community organizations.
Original Frameworks and Strategies
Our work is guided by the A.C.E.S. Model™ and
the Protection vs. Prevention™ framework
Community-Centered Solutions
We listen first and develop responsive strategies grounded in the real needs and strengths of each community.
Partnership for Lasting Impact
.
