Community Engagement
Community Conversations
Thrive organizes consistent community conversations to prioritize and make decisions based directly on community needs. These conversations take place at various locations across the county and involve residents, government officials, agency representatives, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders capable of addressing community issues.
From the very beginning, residents raised non-health-related issues like maintaining ditches and installing storm sirens, prompting a broader approach by our team. This work over time increased community involvement, empowering locals to drive initiatives for health and economic growth. The community’s confidence in initiating change has been strengthened by accomplishments such as launching a new grocery store, drawing healthcare providers to the area, and setting up a regional technical education center. These small victories have laid the foundation for bigger ones, empowering residents to play a leading role in fostering positive changes.
Thrive organizes consistent community conversations to prioritize and make decisions based directly on community needs. These conversations take place at various locations across the county and involve residents, government officials, agency representatives, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders capable of addressing community issues.
From the very beginning, residents raised non-health-related issues like maintaining ditches and installing storm sirens, prompting a broader approach by our team. This work over time increased community involvement, empowering locals to drive initiatives for health and economic growth. The community’s confidence in initiating change has been strengthened by accomplishments such as launching a new grocery store, drawing healthcare providers to the area, and setting up a regional technical education center. These small victories have laid the foundation for bigger ones, empowering residents to play a leading role in fostering positive changes.
YOUTH OUTREACH
Youth Outreach
“What can we do today to bring a brighter tomorrow?” This is one of the core questions our youth interns were asking when they led a community conversation at Iola High School on January 23rd, 2024.
In partnership with K-State Research and Extension and The University of Kansas, they gathered hundreds of students together to talk about future-thinking and to share ideas and discuss opportunities for improving the future of Health, Education, Community, and Economics in Iola. They also shared their plans to bury a time-capsule and return to it in 40 years to revisit the memories and reflect on the progress they’ve made.
“What can we do today to bring a brighter tomorrow?” This is one of the core questions our youth interns were asking when they led a community conversation at Iola High School on January 23rd, 2024. In partnership with K-State Research and Extension and The University of Kansas, they gathered hundreds of students together to talk about future-thinking and to share ideas and discuss opportunities for improving the future of Health, Education, Community, and Economics in Iola. They also shared their plans to bury a time-capsule and return to it in 40 years to revisit the memories and reflect on the progress they’ve made.
The goal of these Youth Conversations is to get the next generation engaged in thinking about the future, and to reflect on the ways our communities can progress so those who graduate and move away will want to return one day. What are things we as a community do wrong, and what are things we do right? But most importantly we ask ourselves: what can we do today to bring a brighter tomorrow?
“Our generation and generations after us are the generation of change.”
– Shelby Peters, Thrive Allen County Youth Intern & 2024 Iola HS Senior
Find more videos like these on our YouTube channel.
The goal of these Youth Conversations is to get the next generation engaged in thinking about the future, and to reflect on the ways our communities can progress so those who graduate and move away will want to return one day. What are things we as a community do wrong, and what are things we do right? But most importantly we ask ourselves: what can we do today to bring a brighter tomorrow?
“Our generation and generations after us are the generation of change.”
– Shelby Peters, Thrive Allen County Youth Intern & 2024 Iola HS Senior
Find more videos like these on our YouTube channel.
Voter Registration
Are you ready to vote? Our 2023-2024 Youth Interns, Brigham, Chris, and Shelby visited classes at Iola High School to talk about and assist with getting students registered to vote, gathering 50+ new registrations! Being properly registered to vote is a crucial step in ensuring your voice is heard on community issues.
Voter Registration
Are you ready to vote?
Our 2023-2024 Youth Interns, Brigham, Chris, and Shelby visited classes at Iola High School to talk about and assist with getting students registered to vote, gathering 50+ new registrations! Being properly registered to vote is a crucial step in ensuring your voice is heard on community issues.
Time Capsule
On April 4th 2024, our student interns led a ceremony in the pocket park next to our office, burying a time capsule to be opened in 40 years. They hope to inspire others to think about the future, and how we, as a community, can contribute to better days ahead for Allen County. We could not be more proud of the work these students have done this year, and we know that they will continue to make a positive impact for future generations.
Time Capsule
On April 4th 2024, our student interns led a ceremony in the pocket park next to our office, burying a time capsule to be opened in 40 years. They hope to inspire others to think about the future, and how we, as a community, can contribute to better days ahead for Allen County. We could not be more proud of the work these students have done this year, and we know that they will continue to make a positive impact for future generations.
Thrive At Home
Thrive At Home
Connect and Grow with Your Neighbors!
Connect and Grow with Your Neighbors!
Thrive at Home is a trusted exchange of community expertise through your favorite Allen County classes, workshops and meetings. The menu of community engagement experiences will be accessible via Televeda’s exceptional two-way interactive live streaming platform. Now you can meet other entrepreneurs, take an art class, learn how to code and so much more all from the comfort of your home or favorite coffee shop. All you need is a computer or a smartphone and access to the Internet to join these interactive experiences.
Getting Started
Thrive Allen County is using a platform called Televeda to provide interactive experiences. The links below will help you get started with Televeda.
Register and Sign In
Use the links below to register a new account or sign in to an existing account.
New Users: use Referral ID THRIVE21 when prompted.
Customer Service & Support
Need help creating an account, signing in, or joining a class? Contact Televeda customer service by calling: 833-299-1449 or send an email to: support@televeda.com
OTHER PROJECTS
Other Projects
Many of our local communities have started their own groups to work on community pride and projects to continue improving their towns.
See something not listed? Let us know.
Many of our local communities have started their own “Pride-Thrive” groups, which draw on both Thrive Allen County and the statewide Kansas Pride Program, to continue improving their towns:
Savonburg Community Empowerment
See something not listed? Let us know.
Meet The Team
Marcia Davis
Director of
Community Engagement
Patrick Zirjacks
Community Engagement
Coordinator
Marcia Davis
Director of Community Engagement
Marcia Davis is the Director of Community Engagement at Thrive Allen County. She works with the community of La Harpe, Kansas, to empower the residents to get involved in local government, speak out, build relationships and community--All to build a better City of La Harpe. She also oversees our community work throughout all of Allen County, including our regular Community Conversations.
Marcia is a graduate of the University of Kansas. Prior to moving to Iola and working at Thrive Allen County, Marcia worked as the Minden, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Director and the Beloit, Kansas Parks and Recreation Director.
Outside Thrive, Marcia enjoys gardening, biking, swimming, exploring Southeast Kansas, and spending time with family and friends.
Contact: marcia@thriveallencounty.org
Patrick Zirjacks
Community Engagement Coordinator
Patrick Zirjacks is the Community Engagement Coordinator for Thrive. He assists the Director of Community Engagement with oversing our community work throughout all of Allen County, including our regular Community Conversations, and other projects.
Patrick graduated from Emporia State with a degree in marketing. He lived in Texas for 30 years, where he worked for Mercedes-Benz as well as for a local bike shop. Patrick is excited to be working with his local community, and looks forward to getting to know the people and making a positive difference.
Contact: patrick@thriveallencounty.org
Get Involved
Volunteer
Volunteer with Thrive Allen County!
Work on trails, clean up communities,
and build a healthier tomorrow.
Visit our Volunteer Opportunities Page
for more info and to sign-up!
Thrive at Home
Connect and Grow with Your Neighbors!
Thrive at Home is a trusted exchange
of community expertise through
your favorite Allen County classes,
workshops and meetings.
Donate
Support our transformative work in
Allen County and beyond. Your support of
Thrive Allen County empowers communities
and enhances health in Allen County
far beyond what grants can fund.