By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The Ellis County Strategic Doing Re-Start drew approximately 100 people to Hays on Sept. 9.
At a followup meeting on Oct. 8, “we’ll begin uncovering needs, wants, visions, dreams and plans of the great group of folks who attended,” said Sandy Jacobs, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation.
Jacobs encouraged any interested Ellis County resident to attend next week’s meeting.
“We need you to participate whether you attended the first meeting or not. Your input is extremely important to the process of defining Ellis County now and in the future,” she said.
The overriding theme last month was the senior community, according to Jacobs.
A number of attendees organized themselves into a specific group to address issues for seniors. They talked about retirees moving into Hays from rural areas, intergenerational childcare, neighborhood community centers, and memory care units available outside of medical care facilities.
Others talked about the need for a larger domestic and sexual violence center, regional transportation, especially for seniors and youth, and recreational activities for middle and high school age students.
An entire wall was papered with sticky notes on which project suggestions were written by the participants.
Facilitator Betty Johnson has compiled the information into themes and will return with them Tuesday. Johnson’s position is funded by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan.
“We will share the six to eight themes and people can pick one they want to be a part of. That’s when the groups will actually form again,” explained Jacobs.
A project doesn’t have to be grandiose.
She points to last year’s “The Neighbor Project” as an example, which came from the theme of becoming a more inclusive community.
“I think the group was first looking at a grand outcome. Then they understood it’s a step at a time.
“Rather than creating new events to bring people together, they would take themselves into an existing event and bring conversation cards and a table for people to sit around and talk. Bringing people together who had never met each other or reaching out and inviting different ethnicities to be a part of what they’re doing.”
Jacobs says she gets goose bumps thinking about what “The Neighbor Project” is doing.
“Just one step at a time, they’re quietly taking care of business and I’m really proud of them.”
After meeting recently with Johnson, the group is working on a new project called “Donuts on the Drive.” They’ll provide the donuts and coffee, set up in a neighborhood yard, and invite all the nearby residents to join together.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea. It’s all about gathering people.”
Strategic Doing Re-Start begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2350 E. 8th St. A meal will be served. RSVP to [email protected] or call 785-621-4090.
“If you have or know of a project that has stalled, is needing to uncover resources or just wants more participants , come join us,” urges Jacobs. “Let us help find what you need.”