In justice spaces, we talk a lot about “giving everyone a seat at the table.” But what does that actually look like?
The COVID-19 Community Task Force (CTF) emerged during the pandemic to answer that very question. A collaboration between Philanthropiece, Boulder County’s Forward Together Safely Community Engagement Team, and local residents, the Task Force operates on the notion that we come up with more comprehensive, effective, and equitable solutions when we look at a problem from many different perspectives.
The Task Force operates on the notion that we come up with more comprehensive, effective, and equitable solutions when we look at a problem from many different perspectives.
The CTF incorporates perspectives from Latinx, Chicano, Asian-Pacific Islander, African American, LGBTQIA+, disabled, college-attending, senior, and unhoused residents. By sharing their experiences of the pandemic and identifying themes, these Task Force members aim to review and guide recovery strategies that name and serve the communities most impacted by COVID-19.
Philanthropiece is happy to share that the group just released their first report, which can be found on the CTF landing page.
The six areas of community needs that are identified on the report have been summarized by our Design and Communications Consultant, Raye Watson, on the following interactive whiteboard.
Philanthropiece is proud to act as a fiscal sponsor for the Task Force, but most importantly, we are proud to act as a convener, facilitator, and connector.
These findings would not have been possible without the help of all involved. The CTF, at its core, is about trust and coalition-building among groups with diverse backgrounds and interests. After 15 years of building relationships in our community, Philanthropiece is proud to act as a fiscal sponsor for the Task Force, but most importantly, we are proud to act as a convener, facilitator, and connector alongside these groups. One report or conversation at a time, we hope not only to guide ways to seat everyone around the table, but to listen, take action, and move forward together safely.
Raye Watson is Philanthropiece’s Design and Communications Consultant. They are passionate about designing for social change and finding visual ways to illustrate wicked problems.