Garfield receives $30,000 grant

GARFIELD — The town of Garfield is one of seven communities receiving a $30,000 grant from the Community Heart and Soul Initiative receiving a $30,000 grant.

The Heart and Soul Initiative recognizes communities with a population of 30,000 or less in the foundation’s 20-county service and the city is tasked with engaging residents in identifying what they love the most about their community, and how to better its future.

“I was ecstatic to hear Garfield is a grant recipient for the Heart and Soul Program,” President of Community of Garfield Association, Lacen Workman said, noting she can not wait to see the program in action in the small rural community invigorating Garfield.

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.

The initiative’s outcome goals include increased participation in community decision-making, increased volunteerism, greater investment in community-supported programs and increased economic development.