A Little About Us
The Team
Rachel Povey Altmann, Founder: (Click here for Resume)
I am a community organizer, teacher, youth development leader, performer and artist. I unite passion with skill. With 10 years of experience working in poor and underserved communities in partnership with the organizations that impact their lives for the better, I bring to the table a unique perspective. I have held roles in organizations such as the YMCA of Greater Houston, All Stars Project Inc., Playworks, The Leonardo Museum, Institute of Reading Development and ArtsBridges, and hold a Certificate of Non-Profit Management from UT Austin, a MA and BA in Art History from the University of Utah, and an AS in Theatre from Weber State University.
It is my mission and the mission of Evernia to deepen your impact and broaden reach. Let’s go create something new together!
Methodology
From our years on the stage and behind the scenes, we have experienced first-hand the impact of what a performance-based approach towards human development can do. By implementing the quintessential rule in improvisation, Yes! And…, Evernia accepts where you are within your organization, and then builds. We implement the Yes! And… approach into everything we do, and invite your staff, volunteers and clients to take part as well. By following the essential rule of never saying no, you open yourself up to endless possibilities. To perform is not just to act on a stage. Life is an improvisational performance. When uncomfortable challenges are faced with an eye towards performance, you are allowed to try something new, with the permission to make mistakes. Through this process of constant acceptance and building, true development happens.
Mutualistic Symbiosis is when two individuals engage in a mutually beneficial relationship. This phenomenon is most often found in nature, and in fact the name Evernia is derived from the oakmoss lichen, representing an excellent example of mutualistic symbiosis. In addition, lichen is unique in that it is neither plant nor animal. It is formed when a fungus and algae join to create an entirely new organism. Evernia approaches our interactions with your organization with our namesake at heart; our unity is beneficial for us both, and through the process of this union, we can create something new!
Core Values
Inclusion
Curiosity
Collaboration
Grit