In 2022, a dedicated group of three nonprofit organizations and a health system formed a collaboration to establish a statewide center committed to improving the conditions necessary for all Floridians to have the opportunity to prosper and thrive. With generous funding support and fueled by a shared vision, this initiative was designed to center community voice, foster collaboration, cultivate trust, build relationships, and create impactful resources.
The center’s initial efforts resulted in connecting with more than 2,500 of our neighbors across a dozen counties throughout Florida and supported more than 800 community members as they strived to improve their mental health and well-being. Our annual gatherings served as a place of connection that brought us together and demonstrated the center’s success beyond numbers. We shared our collective stories, successes, challenges, and resources. Through our training programs, we’ve activated the power of grassroots nonprofit leaders by resourcing and equipping them with the tools and actionable insights to bring about community change to positively impact health for all.
From the very beginning, we set out to do something different. We recognized that real impact comes from building relationships, cultivating trust, and honoring our commitments to the community. What has unfolded during the past few years is a testament to that dedication.
This website, a virtual home for the center, will serve as a trusted community resource. By providing training and tools, the center’s mission will continue!
Through our collaborative approach at the Center for Thriving Communities, we partner with our neighbors across Florida to provide resources, support and capacity-strengthening opportunities that create the conditions for all Floridians to prosper and thrive.
The Center for Thriving Communities website is a critical component of the Center’s broader strategy to provide comprehensive resources, tools, and training related to various health and social factors needed for all Floridians to thrive. As part of the Training Pillar, the website will offer educational resources and training opportunities tailored to the learning needs of diverse populations. It will serve as an informative hub, complementing other services and support mechanisms provided by the Center. Individuals and community organizations will find helpful information, materials, engaging videos, and other offerings. Nonprofit organizations will have access to FREE training to help strengthen their overall capacity, including best practices for applying for grants, using data, developing budgets, and more.
A Florida where everyone has the opportunity to prosper and thrive.
To collaborate with communities in the creation of enduring and impactful resources that support all Floridians in achieving the highest levels of health and well-being.
Cultural Humility: Centering, embracing, and integrating lived experiences.
Enduring: Cultivating relationships and committing to long-term sustainable change.
Collaborative: Establishing trusting partnerships, shared goals and aspirations to help communities thrive.
Opportunity for all: Working together to improve access to resources.
Practical: Implementing solutions that are accessible, impactful, and replicable.
Transparency: Openly sharing findings, strategies and approaches.
🔍 Each session will equip you with tools and insights to drive community-led well-being efforts across Florida, fostering collaboration and sustainability in local capacity building. From co-designing community health goals to measuring impact and resourcing initiatives, we’ve got you covered!
🎥 View previously recorded sessions here.
Questions? Email thriving@jax.ufl.edu
Are you looking for more information on the Equity Action Labs model? Please view the resources below:
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Términos de Uso. La Política De Privacidad.
How might we foster collaboration and co-design between community residents and community-based institutions to achieve a community health improvement goal? We will share tools for community engagement and insights from projects that center community co-design and ownership.
How might we engage leaders from different sectors to partner on a holistic vision of health? We will share tools and approaches to frame the Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being and approaches for community-driven coalitions.
How might we measure success of community well-being initiatives through a community lens? We will share tools for community-led data and measurement to support local health initiatives describe their impacts.
How might we resource and sustain the impacts of local well-being initiatives. We will share approaches to engage community and organizational leaders to invest in locally developed solutions.
This final workshop of the Center’s four-part learning journey series is designed to provide organizations with insights and tips when applying for funding and other resources to support community initiatives. You’ll learn how to construct a grant, including standard grant components, write a compelling program description, learn about evaluation frameworks, and essential considerations for crafting a budget and budget narrative.
