ABOUT GROWING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Collaborating and Connecting!
Growing Community Connections (GCC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that identifies, addresses, and solves community-level challenges and creates return-on-investment that sustains success and growth in the tri-state areas of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota.
GCC exists to connect people and organizations and empower everyone to support the children and families in our communities. Our goal is to maximize the potential that lies within everyone so that families and communities can thrive! (Birth-Rocker)
GCC's HISTORY
Where it all began
GCC has a rich history of evolving and adapting to better serve our community. Our organization has undergone several name changes, each reflecting a phase of growth and development fueled by various grant funds. Here's a look at our journey:
Early Days and Initial Grants
1. Dakota County Interaction Agency: Our journey began under this name, where initial collaborations started with a grant that helped us lay the foundation. However, like many early grants, it lacked sustainability, leading to the end of that collaboration once the funds were exhausted.
2. Cardinal Connections: This phase brought another grant, continuing our mission but still facing the same sustainability challenges.
A Turning Point: 2014
In 2014, a pivotal moment arrived when staff from the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF), specifically from the Rooted in Relationships initiative, met with the Cardinal Connections group. They offered a small grant along with training focused on building sustainability and implementing the Collective Impact framework. We soon changed our name to Dakota County Connections. Under this name, we continued to build on our previous work with the support of another grant, yet we were expanding our partnerships to the tri-state area.
Becoming Growing Community Connections
With the guidance from NCFF, we rebranded as GCC and shifted our focus initially towards Early Childhood Development. This new direction allowed us to create a more sustainable and impactful approach to our community work that supported Siouxland.
Current Grants and Focus Areas
Thanks to our improved framework and strategic direction, GCC now manages several grants that support a wide range of community initiatives. Our emphasis on sustainability and collective impact ensures that our efforts continue to benefit the community long-term.
Here is an overview of our current grants and focus areas:
By embracing the Collective Impact framework and focusing on sustainable practices, Growing Community Connections has grown into a robust organization capable of making lasting positive changes in our community. GCC started with 6 people around the table, and we now have over 800 partners with over 100 people attending our monthly meetings! Connections like this help to provide opportunities to support the children and families in our communities!
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
MISSION
To build a resilient and inclusive community by promoting collaboration, enhancing communication, and leveraging resources to address shared challenges and opportunities, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
VISION
Fostering a vibrant and inclusive community where every voice is heard, connections are strengthened, and collective action leads to sustainable growth and empowerment for all.
WE BELIEVE
Growing Community Connections believes that strengthening our community requires all of us to work together. This involves maintaining open communication with our partners and the community, identifying community strengths and needs, actively coordinating and sharing lessons learned, defining common outcomes, and aligning individual community needs and resources to meet those outcomes. Additionally, we seek additional resources to help reach our goals and use evaluation and community data to strengthen our programs.
OUR POSITION ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Growing Community Connections (GCC) endeavors to build belonging in every meeting. As a Tri-state collaborative, GCC strives to connect and support our wonderfully diverse communities. We aim to facilitate a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion are respected and intentionally valued by implementing thoughtful, practical, consistent, and innovative strategies that can serve as a model for those in our communities. GCC denounces discrimination and opposes any form of oppression. We work to improve the quality of life for all individuals in the Siouxland area, including those from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. Additionally, GCC is committed to supporting the work of community partners who strive to build positive protective factors for our youth and children and provide preventative supports that keep families together. We are a data-driven collaboration, providing evidence that we are meeting the needs of our diverse community.
COLLECTIVE IMPACT
Shared Vision for change
COMMON AGENDA
Regular meetings and updates
CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATION
Dedicated team to manage collaboration
BACKBONE SUPPORT
Coordinated efforts among organizations
MUTUALLY REINFORCING ACTIVITIES.
Consistent data collection and metrics
SHARED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
5 AREAS OF IMPACT
Partnership with Source for Siouxland