The Seaford Community of Hope initiative of Children & Families First is a place-based collaborative focused on enhancing the well-being of families living in Seaford residential communities that have been systematically disadvantaged.
Sharing an exciting update: the Seaford Community of Hope was awarded the grant they submitted for, and they are adding a new community garden and related programming!
The Seaford Community of Hope was recently in the assessment and planning phase to identify a neighbor-led physical improvement project that will improve community conditions and support healthy behavior. This assessment and planning phase was necessary for community members to meaningfully engage in the decision-making process and to foster community ownership of the project.
I supported this phase by planning and facilitating the focus groups with community residents that, building on data insights from a previous needs assessment, gathered additional and in-depth feedback to identify the project and begin planning for its implementation. The data insights from the focus groups and community needs assessment would then be incorporated into a grant application to secure funding to implement the selected community project.
During this process, a community garden was identified by residents as a feasible and useful physical project. With the project identified, the final focus group brought together residents and staff, confirmed community interest, and clarified the purpose and goals of the project. The insights then informed the project planning and supported grant applications for funding the project.
Here’s a brief recap:
Art as an icebreaker and facilitation tool
To warm up the group and get the creative juices flowing, I put up some large paper on the wall and spread out markers. As they entered the community room, families and neighbors were encouraged to draw what would be in their dream garden. The kids were really into it and came up with a lot of good ideas.
After everyone introduced themselves and took part in sharing their favorite fruits and veggies and any gardening experience, program staff and community partners shared information about the gardening project opportunity.
“I like that the focus group was interactive and that we were able to reach a broad range of age groups. I enjoyed the activity that allowed the kids to draw what a community garden looks like for them.” -Midline Oware, Team Leader/Supervisor
Clarifying purpose and visualizing goals
Residents shared their ideas and interest in the project. They also voiced their concerns. Dialogue between staff and residents helped to confirm interest and clarify the purpose of the project and the level of involvement that would be needed.
Finally, community residents took part in a visualization exercise that resulted in group-identified indicators of progress and success for the project. These indicators can be used to understand and measure progress towards their goal.
Reporting the results
“The report was instrumental in a grant proposal to secure a third year of funding.” -Midline Oware, Team Leader/Supervisor
The data from the focus group was analyzed and summarized as key findings in a report shared with the Seaford Community of Hope. These data findings will be used to secure funding to implement the community garden project.
Bingo!
This focus group provided a shared space and opportunity for dialogue among community members. By bringing residents together around a common goal, the focus group contributed to the initiative’s efforts at community collaboration and cohesion. Residents were able to collectively identify indicators of progress and success for the project that will aid in goal-setting and planning. The insights will be used by the program staff to inform their project planning and implementation, as well as support grant applications for funding the project.