Oakesdale named Heart and Soul Community

OAKESDALE — The Innovia Foundation announced that Oakesdale was selected as one of the first Eastern Washington and North Idaho communities for the Community Heart and Soul Initiative.

For two years the town of Oakesdale tasked with engaging residents in identifying what they love the most about their community, and how to better its future.

“The Community Heart and Soul framerwork is a great way for us to be able to engage with both active community members, as well as those individuals and groups whose voices aren’t as frequently heard,” Grant Manager Josey Booth said.

The Community Heart and Soul intiative is open to communities with populations of 30,000 or less in the Foundation’s 20-county service area.

The program has three guiding principles to engage and improve communities, including involving everyone, focusing on what matters most and playing the long game.

Selected communities receive a $30,000 grant from the Innovia Foundation to support community-based project coordinators and activities for up to two years.

During the two years, community members will build a network of volunteers and partners finding common ground, shared goals and creating an action plan to be incorporated into future decisions.

“We are excited to implement this program, knowing it will give us the tools to understand the needs and desires of the whole community,” Booth said.

“As rural cities and towns seek new ways to enrich their communities, it is crucial for residents to unite in prioritizing what they value,” CEO of Innovia Foundation Shelly O’Quinn said. “We look forward to collaborating with each of the seven communities as we work to build vibrant and sustainable community through the Community Heart and Soul process.”

The initiative will have outcomes including increased participation in community decision-making, increased volunteerism, greater investment in community-supported programs and increased economic development.