Representatives from 15 statewide human service organizations celebrated successes and brainstormed ways to collaborate and strengthen their collective impact throughout Wisconsin with UW–Madison Division of Extension’s Human Development & Relationship Institute (HDRI).
“Everyone seemed to enjoy being in the same space together,” said Lindsay Weymouth, Parenting and Family Relationships program manager.
At the Expanding Community Connections and Collaboration event in mid May at the UW–Extension building in Madison, Dean Karl Martin, Associate Dean JulieAnn Stawicki and Institute Director Danielle Hairston-Green, offered remarks. Then participants heard presentations from Weymouth, Jenny Abel, HDRI Financial Security program manager program manager; Sara Richie, HDRI Lifespan program manager; and Ronda Davis, HDRI Justice-Involved Families state specialist.
Next, the group took part in small-group conversations in order to build relationships, explore their organizations’ priorities and identify opportunities to work together.
“It was a wonderful way to share our story and our particular areas of focus and to provide specific invitations for the community collaborators in the room,” said Lindsay Weymouth, HDRI Family Engagement & Relationships program manager.
The event created a wellspring of ideas and possibilities for Wisconsin human service organizations to link arms in new ways.
“I contacted several participants after the event to explore opportunities for collaboration,” Abel said.
