From conversations in the grocery store about stimulus payments, to Trump flags waving around town, to protests calling for nation-wide police reform, I’ve seen my neighbors pay more attention to federal politics this past year than any other in recent memory. In some respects, that seems only right. As a country, we’ve faced monumental challenges, wrestled with the injustices of our past and present, and have had to ask ourselves who we want to be as a nation going forward. 

And yet, through it all, my appreciation for the role communities play in shaping our lives has only grown stronger. On the one hand I’ve seen communities mired in distrust for one another, struggling to offer livable wages, and facing widening inequities. But on the other I’ve seen businesses come together to pool resources, share advice, and promote shopping local. I’ve seen non-profit communities lift up the voices of people of color and mobilize to serve more neighbors in need. I’ve seen local financial institutions work around the clock to ensure access to federal relief programs. And I’ve seen artists find new ways to bring much needed energy and beauty to their towns.

Healthy communities like these are able to leverage federal resources to bring about a more vibrant and equitable future for their residents while also insulating themselves from the divisiveness of the national narrative. Too often, however, efforts to build healthy communities are disconnected from one another, focused on the wrong problems, or driven by the ambitions of individual leaders rather than the needs and experiences of residents. With so many forces working to disrupt and divide, we must intentionally unite our efforts to build healthy communities that serve as engines of prosperity and justice.

At Friday, we believe a healthy community is defined by 6 conditions, each of which must be developed strategically and in cohesion with one another.

1. Vision & Story

• How We Define It: Shared identity and vision for a more prosperous future
• Why It Matters: When residents have a shared understanding of what makes their town special, what is worth protecting, and what needs to change, communities are able to shift their mindset from one of fatalism to one primed for action. 
• Who Inspires Us: Community Heart & Soul, City Nation Place

2. Engagement & Participation

• How We Define It: Connections to people, place, and culture
• Why It Matters: Building relationships with one another and the places we call home combats loneliness, increases civic engagement, and builds a culture of belonging.
• Who Inspires Us: IndyHub, Points of Light, Weave: The Social Fabric Project

3. Talent & Leadership

• How We Define It: Development, attraction, and retention of critical talent
• Why It Matters: Investing in the knowledge and skills of residents allows communities to promote economic mobility, meet the workforce needs of local businesses, and capitalize on new opportunities from one generation to the next.
• Who Inspires Us: JobsFirstNYC, Kapor Center, UMN Making it Home

4. Equity & Opportunity

• How We Define It: Diverse and inclusive communities with opportunity for all
• Why It Matters: By working to ensure every citizen is heard, valued and celebrated for their unique experiences and heritage, communities can challenge biases, break down structural inequities, and build a culture of respect across lines of difference.
• Who Inspires Us: Coming Clean, National Urban League

5. Health & Safety

• How We Define It: Compassionate safety net effectively driving social mobility
• Why It Matters: Supporting those in need and creating avenues for them to provide for their families builds a foundation of compassion critical to the ongoing health and safety of a community.
• Who Inspires Us: Children’s Institute, Tipping Point

6. Business & Infrastructure

• How We Define It: Resilient economy and business community
• Why It Matters: Thriving businesses generate jobs that provide both purpose and prosperity, invest back into their communities, and create hubs of tourism and culture.
• Who Inspires Us: Main Street America, Rise of the Rest Initiative

As American Rescue Plan funds begin to flow and we come up on another election year, we believe the communities that focus on strengthening these 6 conditions will be the ones who are able to leverage funds and build the consensus needed to demonstrably change the trajectory of their community’s future.

If you’re working to build a healthier community, we’d love to learn from you and find ways to support your efforts during this pivotal time. Reach out to elizabeth@friday.us to begin the conversation.