View this email in your browser

March 2020 Updates

Hello, Forward Wayne County Partners!

This has been quite the month for Wayne County. Despite the turmoil of current events, the community and Forward Wayne County has been working hard to keep us moving forward. This month's issue includes ways you can help those in need, updates on projects, and a message of hope.

Please continue to support the endeavors that speak to you and share this information with friends, family, and colleagues.

COVID-19 Community Response

What an unexpected turn of events for our community! Despite the hardships the COVID-19 virus has placed upon our shoulders, our Wayne County communities are determined to weather the storm and come through this united and stronger than before. In order to assist with the response, the Wayne County Foundation is offering grants of up to $2,500 for non-profit organizations that need help.

The grants can be used for purchasing personal protective gear, equipment, supplies, other operational needs, and addressing workforce needs during the COVID-19 response. The funding is designed to be flexible and immediate, so if you know of an organization in need, have them apply now. Wayne County Foundation's goal is to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

You can find more information and application submission information HERE.

CANCELLED: 2020 Spring Leadership Forum

In light of current public safety precautions, the 2020 Spring Leadership Forum has been cancelled. Thank you for your understanding.

Looking for a Way to Help?

Our community needs blood donations. Many of us meet the qualifications to donate lifesaving blood, plasma, and platelets to save our neighbors.

Here's the catch: we need people to donate blood regularly. After a disaster, it's common to see a big rush for people to help out, but donations dwindle over the following weeks. Blood will always be needed. Please consider setting a calendar reminder to schedule regular donations. Each donation is an opportunity to save more lives! Click HERE to look for donation sites in your area.

Implementation Grant: UPDATE

The Implementation Grant was submitted and we've carved out key funding for developing our workforce and improving our community. We'll have more updates for you on this next month.

2020 Community Survey Results

In February 2020, FWC administered a countywide survey to better understand several factors that affect Wayne County residents’ quality of life. The survey explored:

Early Childhood Success – What are the current norms, challenges, and expectations regarding childcare, and how do families find providers?
Neighborhood Development – How many residents live where they want, like where they live, and what do they like about it?
Quality of Place – What does a “vibrant” town center look like to Wayne County residents, and do our communities provide active, entertaining, and enriching opportunities for families?

Collectively, these categories influence current and prospective residents’ perceptions of livability in Wayne County, which impacts migration trends, community involvement, and the local economy. The information collected in this survey will help FWC develop projects and partnerships to help attract, develop, and retain a highly competitive workforce in Wayne County.

What did we learn, and how will it help?

We received responses from 406 residents of Wayne County, with representation from 14 of 15 towns. Read the full summary HERE or go straight to the detailed report HERE.

Our Wayne County Career Pipelines document is ready to share with our community! Share it with students, young adults, and anyone looking to take control of their career and fulfill urgent needs within Wayne County. You'll find access to the document HERE.

A Parting Message of Hope

It seems like only yesterday we were all gearing up for the new decade. We were excited about the 2020 Vision and as a community, Wayne County residents, we were ready to be done with bike paths, road construction, and winter weather. Then, without warning, our world was flipped upside down. We raced to the grocery store for toilet paper and food, closed inside dining in our restaurants and opened drive-up and delivery only, schools and colleges closed their doors and opened their computers for online learning and our gyms ended exercise classes. Uncertainty is felt everywhere and with it: anxiety.

At Forward Wayne County, we are focused on improving the lives of the people in our community and enhancing our surroundings. So, today we want to give you a message of hope: as a community, we will get through this.