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Health & Social Equity

Eatonville Culture of Health & Community Action Plan

Leadership training, resident engagement, and action planning aligned with the town’s historic identity and future goals.
Mural of Zora Neale Hurston in Eatonville, Florida
Background

Eatonville, Florida is a national treasure, and the oldest incorporated Black town in the nation. Founded in 1887, and immortalized by its famous daughter, Zora Neale Hurston, Eatonville’s legacy of Black excellence is woven into the community fabric.

As the socio-economic landscape shifted in the early 21st century, and in the shadow of the same racially tinged disinvestment policies that have impacted countless historic Black communities, Eatonvillians found themselves facing a range of obstacles impacting residents’ health, wealth, and educational outcomes.

The work

POLIS Institute deployed True Impact tools in two phases of community action work to improve socio-economic outcomes alongside Eatonvillians. In both phases community members took part in Propel Leadership Training to increase capacity in resident-led community action work.

In phase one, residents and partners focused on increasing health outcomes with an emphasis on addressing high rates of diabetes. In phase two, residents and partners collaborated on Community Action Planning in concert with a new Eatonville Master Plan. Implementation of the Community Action Plan will increase socio-economic equity in tandem with historic preservation and development opportunities.

Results

What Changed

10%Reduction in the town poverty rate
36Propel Leadership Training graduates
14Community ambassadors and surveyors
37%Of project budget in direct investment

37% of the project budget went to direct investments elevating immediate impacts. Along with increasing the capacity of community-led organizations by expanding resources for engagement and evaluation, POLIS Institute graduated 36 leaders in Propel Leadership Training, and fourteen Community Ambassadors and Surveyors participated in the project.

While many factors contribute to socio-economic changes, it is notable that the town’s poverty rate has decreased by 10% since POLIS Institute began collaborative efforts for True Impact outcomes. In addition, the work of residents and partners, including POLIS Institute, led to Eatonville’s receipt of the Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health Prize.

What POLIS delivered

Solutions Applied

  • Community leadership training
  • Paid community ambassadors and surveyors
  • Community engagement campaigns
  • Grassroots capacity building resources
  • Community-wide visioning events
  • Impact strategy consulting
  • Revitalization network development
  • Community action plan
Work with POLIS

Bring This Work to Your Community.

Partner with POLIS on an initiative, invite research and facilitation support, or invest in the work.