This 20 minute video from WSU Extension Engaged explores the program with NWAF Horizons grant officer, Jean Burkhardt, and discusses the future of the program with Doreen Hauser-Lindstrom. Bridgeport School superintendent Gene Schmidt and Chewelah resident Krisan LeHew share how the Horizons program has helped engage their communities in moving poverty toward prosperity. dd
Program Overview
When it comes to creating a thriving community, it’s the community members themselves who are the key to success.
The Horizons program is about the changes a community can make to move from poverty to hope, from population and economic decline to prosperity. This initiative is for rural communities of fewer than 5,000 and with poverty rates of at least 10 percent.
Open to all community members, Horizons focuses on practical strategies and tools. More specifically, it provides locally-delivered training, skill-building, and coaching to strengthen community leadership and civic engagement systems. Experience has shown that small communities can thrive if they have a strong leadership system.
Washington State University Extension is the delivery organization for Horizons in Washington. Communities accepted into the program will be actively involved in four phases over the course of one year:
- Spotlight—a one-day experience that gives a broad overview of the program
- Study Circles—groups of 8-12 use a facilitated process to discuss poverty and plan for action
- LeadershipPlenty — 9-10 sessions during which groups of up to 25 community members participate in intensive training
- Community Visioning —community members come together to create and adopt a shared vision for poverty reduction
We expect from 200-400 communities from all across the Upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest to participate in this program over the next two years. Thirty-six communities participated in the program pilot that ran from 2003-2004. Some of the results they reported:
- Over 80% of the communities described actions and activities to address housing issues, job skills training, community development, youth programs, business development and community healing
- Engaged low-income people in program implementation; created community structures to continue working on poverty
- Brought in new resources through grant applications and new coalitions
- More youth, newcomers, culturally-diverse residents involved in leadership
- Participants ran for public office
- Volunteerism increased
- Businesses got more involved in public issues
- Established and new leaders came together to solve problems
Contact Doreen Hauser-Lindstrom, WSU Extension Educator for more information.