Grand Coulee, Washington
Horizons Community
Strategic Poverty Reduction Plan of Action
2009
Finding our direction: Moving towards a common vision
Partners: Washington State University Extension
Northwest Area Foundation
Grand Coulee’s journey through the Horizons program focused on
community leadership to reduce poverty.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PROJECT:
- Under 5,000 in population with greater than 10% poverty.
Grand Coulee’s 2000 Census population data identified 897 people live in
the rural Washington community. Their poverty rate is 19.3%. Local school
district reports indicate that 54.1% of students were enrolled in the free and
reduced lunch program at the time this project began.
PROJECT’S SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
PROGRAM PREVIEW
Five people attended a program preview in late summer 2008, qualifying the
community to apply for the program. In the fall of 2008, Grand Coulee’s
application was received in the WSU Extension Horizons program office;
shortly thereafter their eighteen-month capacity building journey began.
EVERYDAY DEMOCRACY (formerly Study Circles)
Everyday Democracy was designed as a tool for community-wide
discussions. Diverse groups of community members gathered with locally
trained facilitators to proceed through the discussion guide. Through lively
and meaningful discussions community members made decisions about how
they would address poverty in their community. The Grand Coulee
community trained 33 individuals as facilitators and reached 55 community
youth and adults through the discussions.
HORIZONS COM M UNITY: GRAND COULEE - CHANGES IN
KNOWLEDGE OF P OVERTY BEFORE AND NOW/ AFTER STUDY
CIRCLES FROM P OSTSURVEYS 2.09
4.0
3.58
3.5
3.33
3.42
3.48
2.79
3.42
3.38
3 . 13
3.0
2.75
2.71
3.04
2.83
2.5
2.25
2.29
2.25
2.25
2.0
1. 5
B EFOR E a v e r a ge r a t i ng
1. 0
N OW/ A FTER a v e r a ge r a t i ng
0.5
0.0
P os s i bl e
D i f f e r e nt
R e a s ons i t i s
H ow pov e r t y
St r a t e g i e s t o
I ndi v i dua l
C o mmu n i t y
P ol i c i e s t ha t
c a us e s of
k i nds of
di f f i c ul t t o
a f f e c t s my
r e duc e
a c t i ons t o
a c t i ons t o
woul d r e duc e
pov e r t y
pov e r t y
ge t out of
c o mmu n i t y
pov e r t y
r e duc e
r e duc e
pov e r t y
pov e r t y
pov e r t y
pov e r t y
Scale of 1 = Almost n ot hin g t o 4 = A gr eat deal
LEADERSHIPPLENTY
The leadership training program implemented in the Horizons communities
was LeadershipPlenty. The curriculum was developed by the Pew
Partnership of Civic Change. “LeadershipPlenty was created with the idea
that many talented and resourceful citizen leaders are needed to build and
maintain a thriving community.” Three local community members were
trained to deliver the curriculum and during the winter/spring 2009, taught
44 community members. The curriculum includes experiential activities and
information on the following subjects: identifying community assets, group
and meeting management, communication, conflict resolution, building
strategic partnerships and moving from talk to action.
HORIZONS III COMMUNITY: GRAND COULEE, WASHINGTON BEFORE AND AFTER MEAN/AVERAGE SELF RATING
OF LEADERSHIP SKILLS FROM LEADERSHIPPLENTY POSTSURVEYS AT 6.09
5.0
BEFORE
AFTER
4.5
4.27
4.32
4.55
4.18
4.0
3.5
4.50
4.73
4.32
4.32
4.32
4.41
4.18
3.86
3.50
3.27
3.36
3.0
3.23
2.82
2.82
2.95
3.86
4.09
3.45
3.41
3.00
2.5
3.36
2.73
2.55
4.55
3.41
4.32
3.14
2.77
2.0
1.5
1.0
I am able to
I recognize the
I am able to
recognize
relationship
work with the
leadership skills between getting leadership in my
in others
involved and
organization
civic leadership. and/or greater
community.
I know how to
approach
community
development
problems.
I am able to
identify the
stages of group
development.
I am able to
I am able to lead
I know how
I am able to
I know how
I know how to
I know the
I now how to
I know how to I know the value I know how to
guide
productive
conflict and
manage conflict
partnerships
plan and
community
assess the value
share
of bringing
discuss race
discussions
meetings.
tension influence in group work.
influence
implement
action process
of group
information with
citizens
relations in a
among diverse
group work.
community
community
problem-solving
diverse
together to talk non-threatening
roups of people
problem solving change projects.
efforts.
audiences.
about issues.
way.
Scale of 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree
VISIONING
Grand coulee Horizons participants published several editorials in the local
newspaper, The Star, describing their work and inviting all community
members to attend. The participants also encouraged their friends and
neighbors to participate, and told them about what they were working
towards.
This community of 987 had close to 800 people participate in the visioning
process. Many residents attended the community meetings and volunteered
their skills and ideas. The group has formed partnerships with the Senior
Center, Hospital, Newspaper, School District, Chamber of Commerce, and
other community action groups to form a community center.
The following Strategic Plan to reduce poverty was created for Grand
Coulee.
STRATEGIC POVERTY REDUCTION PLAN
Washington Horizons Community: Grand Coulee
Background:
The towns of Coulee Dam, Elmer City, Nespelem, Electric City, and Grand
Coulee make up the Grand Coulee area. The region is world-renowned for
geological formations and the Grand Coulee Dam. It is home to Lake
Roosevelt National Recreation area, Steamboat Rock State Park, Colville
Indian Reservation, and a portion of the Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway. The
area has much to offer for the history enthusiast, and sponsors some
really fun recreation opportunities, including the Bald Eagle Festival,
Grand Columbian Triathlon, Skateboard Park, summer youth programs, and the
annual Colorama Festival. All of these are set against the beautiful
landscape known as the Grand Coulee area.
In the 2000 census, Grand Coulee showed a population of 897 and a poverty
rate of 19.3 percent.
Short term changes in awareness, skills, knowledge, attitudes,
aspirations, motivation.
There has been exceptional attendance at the Grand Coulee community
meetings; attendance is typically as many as 25-35 persons. One
participant said of the process, “Everybody here is a leader; all we have
to do is figure out what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it.”
This awareness demonstrates motivation and a positive attitude for change
on behalf of the Grand Coulee area participants. Community recognition
that various groups and organizations have the same or similar interests
has made positive impacts in getting people to the table for discussions.
Medium term changes in behavior, policies, practice, decision-making,
social actions.
The community meetings have introduced residents whom otherwise may not
have had the opportunity to meet. The participants have found that they
also have the opportunity to speak. Having that platform can be empowering
to the speaker, and also enlightening for their neighbors. During the
Visioning process, an action group was formed. They call themselves the
WAG, or Wellness Action Group. This group is the core committee which will
continue to facilitate community action and social awareness in the spirit
of reducing poverty.
Long term changes in social, civic, economic, environmental conditions.
The Horizons program is about empowering people. Confidence building is
difficult to measure, but can have lifelong effects. The program is also
about inspiring people. There may be progress in the Grand Coulee area
within the next 20 years that was inspired or motivated by participation
in Horizons of which we cannot know of now. It would be our goal that the
long term changes would provide a community where there is adequate
quality child care and a location where community members can access
affordable services that promote a healthy lifestyle.
ACTION PLAN:
The group has elected to form a community wellness center. This is
a place that will include childcare for working parents, fitness
classes, physical therapy, a community pool, and education
classes. Grand Coulee area lacks childcare options for parents,
and many have explained that this prevents them from taking a job
when they would like to work. Grand Coulee area is comprised of
five towns: Elmer City, Coulee City, Coulee Dam, Nespelem, and
Electric City. These towns share the Grand Coulee area, many
residents work and go to school in the same place, but the area is
otherwise disconnected. They have found through their work groups
that a community center has the potential to turn the fragmented
towns to a thriving community.
HOW WILL THIS ADDRESS POVERTY?
Poverty can be about more then money. Poverty can mean feeling
hopeless, doing without, sending kids to school hungry or with
clothes that don’t fit, or feeling ashamed to invite people over.
A community center is a place that all people will be welcome to
enjoy. More than leisure activities, a community center will
provide children a safe place to go after school. When children
have a place to go their parents can work. The existence of the
center itself will create jobs and opportunities for leadership
and participation in the community.
LEAD:
Mary Schilling
Director, SHARP Kids
Grand Coulee Dam School
District
110 Stevens Ave
Coulee Dam, WA 99116
Ph: 509-633-3033
Fax: 509-633-2530
mschilling@gcdsd.org
PARTNERS:
Coulee Medical Center
Star Newspaper
School District
Chamber of Commerce
WSU Grant/Adams Extension
COMMITTEE:
Scott Hunter, Bill Black,
Michelle Campobasso, Phil
Hansen, Tom Jensen, Troy
Johnson, Rick Morton, Nate
Piturachsatit, Jerry Sands,
Jesse Utz and Christy Price
ACTION STEPS:
1. Tour existing wellness
BY WHEN:
1. July 2009
INDICATORS OF
SUCCESS:
1. After
centers in Usk, Plummer,
and Coeur d’Alene
2. Presentations to
community group
2. Summer
2009
3. Ongoing
3. Sub-committee to continue
research on locations,
programs and activities
to be offered, funding
available, and possible
partnerships
visiting
other sites,
WAG committee
members were
excited about
the local
possibility
2. Community
response to
participate
in subcommittees
3. Positive
response from
community
members to
the proposed
project