The SEGway News Issue 40, 20 July 2017

Linda Lambert: Reading makes your life richer —Page 3 The Basque students experience the American dream— Page 4 Correction: In last week’s edition we iden- tified the new sesquicentennial banner as being donated by Upland Print & Stitch, which it was. However, Upland Print & Stitch informed us that Bridgeman Con- struction was also one of the sponsors of the banner. We are pleased to give them credit as well.—Ed. SEGway News Volume 1, Number 41 Serving South East Grant County July 20-26, 2017 A Good News Ventures publication Thriving families, thriving Grant County initiative secures funding, hires Weatherspoon as exec. dir. The Thriving Families, Thriving Grant County ef- fort began in November of 2015 at an IWU Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting where we learned that Grant County ranked #1 in child poverty in the state of Indi- ana. Although it didn’t have a name at that time, that was when nearly 100 community leaders said they would like to work together to create a shared vision using the col- lective impact model. Since then, the Commu- nity Foundation of Grant County hired a collective im- pact consultant, John Peirce, who has steered Grant County’s Collective Im- pact Guiding Team through the process of developing a framework for our Thriving Families outcome. For the past year, this team has been working diligently to direct our local Collective Impact Initiative that is now known as Thriving Families, Thriv- ing Grant County. But, now it’s time to dig deep, spread our wings, and begin to de- velop strategies to reach our goals--that’s where we need the help of the Grant County community, citizens, fami- lies, organizations, and busi- nesses. With this in mind, we have been making great progress on the following three efforts: Growing Workgroups/ Networks: Opening the 12 Work- groups/4 Networks up to community members to join in order to truly get collec- tive, community-wide ideas and response is of paramount importance. This work con- tinues as we would like the Workgroups/Networks to represent all of the Grant County community well. The 12 Workgroups/4 Net- works are listed on the at- tached ‘wheel’ and we con- tinue to encourage Grant County citizens to become involved. Simply email ThrivingFamilies@GiveTo- Grant.org if you’re interested in participating. Securing Funds: Raise funding from donors to launch Thriving Families, Thriving Grant County was necessary to create momen- tum and results more ef- ficiently and effectively by hiring an Executive Director to guide the Workgroups/ Networks and facilitate progress. We are thrilled to announce that nine funders have joined together to sup- port this targeted effort. This Collective Impact Guiding Team: Alex Huskey, Ivy Tech Community College Alicia Hazelwood, United Way of Grant County Beau Hamner, College Wesleyan Church Dawn Brown, Community Foundation of Grant County Jacquie Dodyk, Affordable Housing Corporation Kylie Jackson, Marion-Grant County Chamber of Com- merce Lisa Dominisse, Family Service Society Tab McKenzie, Mississinewa Community Schools Tammy Pearson, Project Leadership John Peirce, Consultant, Peirce Consulting, LLC GROCERY AND VARIETY STORE CALL: 765-998-1111 is a unique situation where- as each of these donors has agreed to invest collectively toward one common goal simply because each believes that all families in Grant County deserve to thrive. We are certainly overwhelmed by the generous spirit of the nine funders listed in the sidebar; without them, this work simply would not be possible. rience all added up to the exact combination of what we were looking for to lead this entrepreneurial Thriving Families initiative.” The next year will be an exciting one as we begin to look at our Thriving Fami- lies outcomes and work with you, our community mem- bers, to develop strategies that will show us both mea- surable progress and forward momentum. We’re excited for 2017 in Grant County, Indiana…let it be a year of abundant bless- ings! Thrive on! Hire an Executive Director Once funding was secured, we began the search for an Executive Director. With a robust list of qualifications required (see attached), we are delighted to announce that Cathy Weatherspoon has signed on as Executive Di- rector of Thriving Families, Thriving Grant County and will begin her duties on Au- gust 1, 2017. Cathy brings with her a wealth of experience and a passion for Grant County that is truly contagious,” commented Dawn Brown, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “Her educa- tion and prior work expe- Funders • Atlas Foundation • Community Founda- tion of Grant County • General Motors Foundation • Indiana Wesleyan University • Ivy Tech Community College • Marion General Hos- pital • Ott Foundation • Taylor University • Vectren Foundation $ OPEN 7 DAYS MON - SUN 8-9 80 E BERRY AVE IN UPLAND PLAZA