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.
Action
Polis Institute deployed True Impact tools in two phases of community action work to improve socio-economic outcomes alongside Eatonvilians. 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 collobareted 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. A network of committed partners was created to collaborate with residents on ongoing initiatives improving health, wealth, economic mobility, and educational outcomes.
Results
While many factors contribute to socio-economic changes, it’s 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.
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 64 Leaders in Propel Leadership Training. Fourteen Community Ambassadors and Surveyors participated in the project.
Solutions
- Community Leadership Training
- Paid Community Ambassadors & Surveyors
- Community Engagement Campaigns
- Grassroots Capacity Building Resources
- Community-Wide Visioning Events
- Impact Strategy Consulting
- Revitalization Network Development
- Community Action Plan
Increasing Household Income
Historic East Winter Garden Culture of Health Background Historic East Winter Garden is a vibrant historically Black community in the City of Winter Garden, Florida. Once home to a bustling “Black Downtown,” the community has faced critical challenges amidst decades...
Leaders to the Front
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Family Strength
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Contact
Phone: 1 (866) 757-1334 Email: Info at Polisinsitute.org Mail: PO Box 560531 Orlando Florida, 32856
Asset-Based Surveys vs. Needs-Based Surveys
Door-to-door community surveys are commonplace, especially in low income areas. I recently heard a long-term resident of such a neighborhood say, "We're like rats in a cage here. People always studying us, trying to fix us." Universities, non-profits, community...