Calling all community champions: "Let's come together to create a stronger Bulloch County" Data Walk dates announced

Community members have the chance to provide vital input regarding issues that impact us all through an upcoming community-wide data walk. The event is being organized by United Way of Southeast Georgia, Georgia Southern University Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies, and Georgia Southern University Institute for Vibrant and Engaged Communities.

The key message: Your insights are needed. Creating a healthy community requires community input and support.

Two dates to choose from, meals provided

Interested participants can choose between two date and time options, one during the evening and one during the lunch hour. Meals will also be provided.

Thursday, April 25, 2024 6-8pm at Luetta Moore Park
Saturday, May 4, 2024 12-2pm at Boys & Girls Club

Click here to register!

The chance to have your voice heard

Event organizers want to hear about the experiences, observations, and insights of community members in order to help create a brighter future for Bulloch County residents.

Like its name suggests, this is an interactive session where participants will walk through multiple stations, each pertaining to a community issue, and a facilitator at the station will listen to community concerns while sharing relevant local data.

The event's coordinators are especially interested in hearing local concerns related to Healthcare, Education, and Financial Security/Income.

What is a Data Walk?

If this is your first data walk, you're in for a uniquely empowering experience—one with the power to unite citizens, spark change, and uplift communities.

From the organizers: Data Walks are interactive sessions in which participants interact with various data stations set up in a single room. Each station focuses on different aspects of our community, such as Education, Income/Financial Stability, Health, and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Facilitators at each station provide information and guide discussions to gather insights from participants.

Carey Cassedy, Executive Director of United Way, says, "We're excited to invite a diverse range of community members to join us for the Data Walk in Bulloch County. We welcome local residents who bring firsthand knowledge and perspectives from their experiences living and working in the area. We also extend our invitation to community leaders representing advocacy groups and local governments. Additionally, we encourage nonprofit organizations to share their expertise and explore potential collaborations for future projects."

Cassedy hopes the data walk will deepen participants' understanding of the strengths, challenges, and opportunities in Bulloch County by allowing them to actively engage with the data and insights collected during the sessions.

"We hope for attendees to feel empowered to contribute meaningfully to discussions about local issues, fostering a sense of ownership within the community. Additionally, the event serves as a platform to cultivate relationships and explore potential collaborations among residents, organizations, and leaders. Ultimately, our goal is for participants to depart feeling informed, inspired, and motivated to pursue collective action in building a stronger, more vibrant community together," Cassedy explains.

Mini grants

United Way of Southeast Georgia, along with its state association United Ways of Georgia collectively invested to participate in ALICE (Assets Limited Income Constraint and Employed initiative).

They are excited to collaborate with Georgia Southern University Public & Nonprofit Studies and Institute for Vibrant & Engaged Communities to pinpoint areas where essential services are lacking and to bridge those gaps, fostering a more resilient and thriving environment.

Cassedy shares, "The insights gleaned from these two data walks will serve as our compass, guiding the focus of our mini grants. As newcomers to the United Way of Southeast Georgia, we are committed to allocating 10 mini grants worth $1,500 each this year. These grants will be tailored to directly tackle the most prominent issues and concerns identified during our data sessions."