Iowa State University Extension

The Horizons Community Leadership Program to Reduce Poverty helps communities build stronger leaders to address economic issues and find ways to implement change. Horizons is funded by the Northwest Area Foundation and implemented by Iowa State University Extension in partnership with Iowa citizens.

The Third Expanding Our Horizons Workshop Scheduled for April 7, 2010

Horizons I, II, and III communities are invited to come together on the ISU campus to look for common interests, share successes, challenges and to learn! The keynote speaker will explore how Horizons communities can impact public policy at the local, state and national levels. Julie Hlas, ISU Extension Media Program Specialist, will close the day with a “How to Be Heard - Tips for telling your story to the public, your legislator, grantor” presentation.

Nine Horizons communities were invited to share their Horizons Successes. Community efforts confirmed to date include: Hamburg’s Backpack Project, which provides weekend food to children who might otherwise go hungry, and Farmington’s Food Pantry. Check back to learn of additional featured projects.

Learn about how State and Federal Programs can help communities help their citizens; about what the Community Vitality Center can offer; how students can better position themselves for the future; along with Grant Writing 101, to name a few other breakout sessions available to workshop participants.

To follow the April 7 agenda as it builds, click here. Weekly updates will be posted beginning the third week in February. Registration will be available beginning March 1, 2010.

Horizons and this workshop are led by Iowa State University Extension through funding from the Northwest Area Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Telling Community Stories

Horizon Communities Tell Their Stories Through Blogging
Community blogging is a strategic communication tool that helps local communities tell their stories, connect each other through common goals of poverty reduction, and reflect on their successes.
read the Iowa communities' blogs...

Horizons Project...

helps communities take charge and build stronger leaders to address poverty, economic decline, and the exodus of young adults.
is available to communities of 500 to 5,000 residents with a poverty rate of 10 percent or greater.
is designed for communities ready to commit to gathering citizens together to work for positive change.

Horizons Leaders...

Become involved in decision making.
Gain a positive attitude.
Understand their neighbors.
Increase knowledge about poverty in their community.
Come together with others and take action against poverty.

Horizons Communities...

Gain training and resources—about leadership, poverty reduction, community development, visioning, and strategic planning—to make a difference.
Develop ways to take action—with your own considerable resources—instead of looking and waiting for outside help.
Become part of a larger community of citizen leaders—working together to grow Iowa.