In 2021, Community Science started working with the Wend Collective, founded by James Walton and based in Denver, Colorado. Our evaluation focused on Wend’s Thriving Youth Initiative. The initiative centered around successful models and enabling conditions to help children and youth from historically disadvantaged populations
When faced with challenges, it's tempting to blame a single "villain" for systemic issues, believing their removal will bring resolution. But often, these conflicts stem from deeply rooted organizational patterns rather than individual shortcomings
How can we better predict and plan for changes that affect one critical aspect of community development, like gentrification, displacement, or housing shortages? Many government officials, nonprofit leaders, and foundation program officers come to us with this question, often after investing in large data dashboards or completing housing needs assessments with metrics or strategies that quickly become outdated.
Education is more than just academics—it can address social issues like poverty, mental health, and inequality. By expanding supports for at-risk and disconnected youth beyond the classroom, we can use education to promote overall well-being and build stronger, healthier communities.