PRAXIS - Building Knowledge for Action - facilitates exciting and transformative learning processes to sustain vibrant organizations and communities. We achieve this mission using the following tools: program evaluation, community-based research, strategic planning, organizational assessment, educational workshops, and other specialized services.

 

Maxine Jacobson, PhD

Maxine Jacobson, PhDPRAXIS was created in 2007 by Maxine Jacobson, PhD, researcher, community organizer, program evaluator, educator, and scholar. Maxine began her career as an educator and later completed masters’ degrees in counseling and social work. She has administrated both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. She earned her PhD in social work from the University of Utah in 1997 where her passion for participatory forms of research, program evaluation, and community organizing developed.

Maxine has taught courses on community-based participatory research, program evaluation, community organizing, and group work. She conducts community-based participatory research, consults with communities and organizations on how to design models and implement strategies for community assessment and program evaluation, and she educates community groups on topics that include community organizing, community-based participatory research, project and program evaluation, facilitating effective meetings, and interorganizational team and coalition building.

Kristina Swanson, MPA

kristinaKristina Swanson's 25-year career in public service and administration is marked by immersion in diverse projects focusing on social justice, family support, natural resources and local agriculture. She holds a Master's degree in Public Administration and has extensive experience with grant writing and administration, model program development and group facilitation. As a musician, writer, and visual artist with a degree in theater, Kristina brings plenty of creative energy to her work.

Kate Pruitt Chapin, MSW

Kate Pruitt Chapin, MSWKate Pruitt Chapin has experience working with groups and communities in the roles of program coordinator, educator, facilitator, participant, researcher, and clinician. She has participated in, chaired and initiated a variety of groups dealing with violence prevention, domestic and sexual violence, local food security and access, and safety on the University of Montana campus. Kate has facilitated meetings in classrooms, community forums, conference rooms and high mountain lakes.

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society
  • National Community Food Security Coalition
  • American Evaluation Association
  • Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups
  • Association for Community Organizers and Social Administration
  • Social Welfare Alliance

PRAXIS HAS RECENTLY WORKED WITH:

  • Missoula Community Food Co-op (MCFC)
  • North Missoula Community Development Corporation (NMCDC)
  • Bureau of Business and Economic Development – University of Montana
  • Women’s Opportunity and Resource Development, Inc. (WORD)
  • Kellogg Food and Fitness Project – Salish Kootenai College (SKC)
  • City of Missoula – Office of Neighborhoods
  • Montana Food Bank Network
  • Lake County Community Development Corporation
  • Montana Food Security Coalition
  • Sustainable Lives Project