Ever wonder how one person can make a difference in the lives of
others? We did, so we joined together in 2018 to create the Jackson
County Servant Led Community (SLC). “Who is the servant leader? It
begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.
Then a conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. While leading, do
those served grow as persons; do they while being served become
healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to
become servants?”
The SLC vison is “enhancing the quality of life within our healthy and
thriving communities by building meaningful connections.”
Over the last five years the SLC coalition has been working for the
greater good and has brought new funds to our area. The SLC has
focused its work to connect identified needs to resources in the
community in several ways.
The first grant funding is supporting the expansion of the Great Rivers
HUB, a Pathways Community Hub model, in Jackson County. Through
this relationship with the Great River Hub, the community health
worker (CHW) program has been initiated in Jackson County. The CHWs
are assigned to families and individuals with difficult life circumstances.
The CHWs do the vital work of helping these families and individuals to
identify the resources they could use and then assists in arranging the
meetings, appointments and transportation necessary to be successful
in meeting their needs. The goal is to provide education and
experiences that will not only assure that needs are met but
encourages independence. There are now three grant-funded
Community Health Worker positions fully funded in our community.
Two of the CHWS work in the schools, and one is working through
Children’s of Wisconsin.
Another initiative through the SLC is a coalition to address
homelessness in Jackson County. The Jackson County Homelessness
Coalition meets monthly for updates on community needs for housing
and to review new and existing housing resources. The Jackson County
Homelessness Coalition is actively exploring the challenges those
unhoused in our community face and looking for meaningful ways to
make an impact.
While the successes so far are celebrated, the intent is to work towards
a more vibrant and connected community. Servant Led Community
plans to continue identifying local resources and to help form strong
sustainable relationships so that resources can be creatively accessed.
Community members interested in learning about SLC and joining our
work are invited to attend one of two upcoming meetings.
First, on Wednesday, January 17, 3:30pm, community members are
invited to join us for a Community Conversation about Homelessness
and Housing Stability at the BRF Public Library Community Room.
Then, on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 7:30 am, the Servant Led Community will
be meeting for our regular quarterly meeting, at the School District of
Black River Falls, District Office building.
Everyone is welcome! Success in this work depends the participation of
a broad section of citizens from many walks of life.
If you have questions or would like to be added to our email list for
upcoming meetings and updates, please email
slcjacksoncounty@gmail.com.
No responses yet