ERCEGI

Get Informed.

• Champion Zones: Building Organizational Capacity
• Jacksonville University: Leadership & Learning
• Environmental Responsibility: Service Learning Initiative

Champion Zones: Building Organizational Capacity

The Champion Zones project is a collaborative initiative funded for the purpose of building the capacity of nonprofits and faith-based organizations who serve the 32211 zip code area in order to enhance the general quality of life in the region and improve student achievement in the neighborhood schools. This is being done through various activities including systemic analysis of current operations, community asset mapping, community/school assessments, coaching, and workshops. The five major areas of emphasis are Leadership Development, Organizational Development, Program Development, Revenue Development, and Community Engagement.

In the end, positive, sustainable change will be organized and implemented through Family School and Community Partnerships. This will create a network within the community for monitoring the wellbeing of its residents, the achievement of its students, and the relationships of its organizations in working together for the benefit of the aforementioned. This is a three year project spanning October 2007 through September 2010. Through the work of the partners and the contracted vendors, a sustainable Champion Zone will be established in the 32211 area. Following are the lead partners:

• United Way of Northeast Florida
• The Community Foundation
• Duval County Public Schools
• Jacksonville Children’s Commission

Following are the vendors:
• Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida
• Health-Tech Consultants
• ERCEGI

ERCEGI has been engaged to:

• Establish maps that provide the needed information for creating informed decisions by showing the key indicators for evaluating a community's wellbeing and identifying community assets, spatial inequalities, and resource deficits.
• Inform the community stakeholders of how to utilize the spatial data in making decisions and seeking resources to eliminate the liabilities and strengthen assets.
• Gather new baseline data regarding parental/family involvement, perceptions, and general wellbeing.
• Engage community members in volunteering for various project activities.
• Utilize all gathered data to assist in the establishment of Family, School and Community Partnerships.
• Conduct workshops: (1) Using Geospatial Data to guide Program Design & Evaluation (2) Building Solid and Sustainable School, Family,and Community Partnerships

Click here to hear what the federal agency has to say about the partnership work happening in Duval County!

Click here to check out sample survey questions