In an ideal community, resources would flow to support kids. Public and private funders would invest in what’s working to get better and more equitable outcomes. Instead of competing for dollars, organizations could work together to make sure that each has what they need to fulfill their mission and contribute to the community’s shared vision.…
Just as building materials are the core of physical infrastructure, trusting relationships are at the heart of civic infrastructure. Like the roads and bridges of physical infrastructure, civic infrastructure holds a community together and allows it to grow and thrive. Unlike physical infrastructure, though, civic infrastructure is the connections and structures that we can’t see…
What’s possible when a community comes together around a shared vision, uses data to make decisions and invests in creating lasting change? In Milwaukee, more kids are getting the early care and education they need, students are getting funding for opportunities after high school, voices from across the community are reflected in decisions and more.…
“So, what do you do?” We’ve all heard this question. Sometimes, our answers are met with nods of recognition; other times, helping someone understand our role requires more explanation. People working to develop their community’s civic infrastructure might need to share a lot of extra explanation. Civic infrastructure isn’t something we can see or touch.…
Collaboration happens every day. From playgrounds and classrooms to workplaces and boardrooms, collaboration enables people to achieve shared goals. But collaboration alone won’t transform the systems that are failing youth and families of color and youth and families experiencing poverty. To create lasting change so that communities can thrive, we need to move beyond collaboration…
Communities across the country are grappling with the widening educational equity gap exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Black students, Latine students and students experiencing poverty have been most impacted by inequities in access to the internet and devices needed to continue learning. Research shows that middle and high school students with high-speed internet access at…
Policy is a powerful lever of change. We know that systems were not designed to support the success of Black, Indigenous, Latine and Asian youth and families or youth and families experiencing poverty. When we change policies, we change systems. When we change systems, we open pathways for communities to thrive. Having the right civic…
Infrastructure holds communities together: roads, bridges, an electricity grid. But what about the connections that we can’t see? Relationships, collaboration, goal setting and data sharing are part of a community’s infrastructure, too. These pieces are called civic infrastructure. Civic infrastructure joins leaders from across a community — from education, business, health care, housing, philanthropy and…
Join us in conversation with Colin Groth, StriveTogether’s executive vice president of strategy and development, as he shares how the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network got to where it is today and why he’s passionate about the work. What drew you to this work, and what motivates you to stay in it? In my…
How can the collaborative improvement approach change the way communities work together to get to better results for every child? Heidi Black, StriveTogether’s senior director of innovation, collaborative improvement, shares what it means to change systems, how to get started in this work and her hopes for the future, including insights she presented at the…
Featured Toyin Anderson Parent advocate and board member, the Children’s Agenda Angela Glover Blackwell Co-founder in residence, PolicyLink Learn more about Angela >> Jennifer Blatz President and CEO, StriveTogether Learn more about Jennifer >> Geoffrey Canada President, Harlem Children’s Zone Learn more about Geoffrey >> Colin Groth Executive vice president…
In conversation Jamilica Burke Chief strategy and impact officer, Seeding Success Learn more about Jamilica >> Anne Griffith Director, Enterprise Community Partners Learn more about Anne >> Chelsea Powell Managing director, Higher Expectations for Racine County Learn more about Chelsea >> Host Colin Groth Executive vice president of strategy and development, StriveTogether…