7. EDSR 08-11-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Healthy Communities Partnership develops the capacity of citizens to create a locally shared vision and plan, and to mobilize local and regional assets to implement that plan. HCP: Unlocking the Power of People The Initiative Foundation's Healthy Communities Partnership (HCP) program works with central Minnesota communities to engage local citizens in planning for the future. Too often, people feel disconnected and powerless to affect change in their communities, even though many are willing to volunteer countless hours to ensure the success of community projects that interest them. HCP begins by providing innovative training to diverse leadership teams representing four communities, the members of which must be dedicated to involving everyone in building a brighter future for their community. Each team is responsible for leading their community through atime-tested process that results in the development of a locally shared vision and integrated plan. From that plan come a number of goals and projects that require local volunteers and resources to be successful. Selection to HCP is a competitive process; only four to five communities are offered the training each year. The Initiative Foundation provides each community with. training, technical assistance, resource referral and an initial grant of $10,000 - $15,000. Because citizens of HCP communities work in concert to achieve goals identified at the grassroots level, the Initiative Foundation gives priority funding consideration to projects identified in their plans. Servant Leadership: Diverse Representation is Critical HCP helps entire communities identify their unique assets, needs and goals, based on the premise that everyone who is affected by a decision should have an opportunity to be involved in the decision-making process. In HCP there is a level playing field, and every voice is of equal importance. Sharing of various perspectives is critical to the visioning and planning processes. Community teams are constantly challenged to examine the wheel graphic to the right and ensure all segments are adequately represented. In addition, the Initiative Foundation expects team diversity in age, class, race, occupation and gender, which mirrors the diversity of each community. For more information and application materials, please contact Dan Frank, Program Manager for Community Development at 877/632-9255 toll free or email dfrank(a,ifound.or~. "This institution is an equal opporhanity provider."