LEARNING WITH THE LUPTON CENTER

Community Development training for the 3Sixty team through participation in a two-year cohort

In August of 2021, the Lupton Center selected 3Sixty as a Catalyst to launch a two-year City City Shapers cohort here in Holland. 3Sixty believes that lasting change starts with listening to and prioritizing neighbors’ voices and stories.

Under the guidance of Lupton Center staff, the City Shapers cohort was equipping community stakeholders with the tools and know-how to produce sustainable change in our Eastcore neighborhood.

The Holland City Shapers cohort includes representatives from 3Sixty, 14th Street Christian Reformed Church, the City of Holland, Collectivus LLC, Doors of Hope, Movement West Michigan, West Michigan Works, Winning at Home, and Hope College, along with several residents of Eastcore.

From L to R: Gloria Gardea, Tim Wood, Melanie Scholten, Sara Miller, Mark Kornelis, Lori Appeldoorn, Deanne Hoeksema, Jake Norris, Dave Genzink, Julie Mascorro, Juan Mascorro, Joy Anderson, Kevin Wolthuis, Julie Phillips, Liz Sharda. Not pictured: Har Ye Kan, Justin Lambers, Josh Ribbens, Mike Weiss, Denise Hoeksema, Taylor Norris, Laura Jonker, Rosa Hernandez

From 2022-2024 the City Shapers Cohort spent two years assessing the Eastcore neighborhood’s health and vitality through surveys, data reviews, one-on-one conversations, and focus groups. Initial findings were shared with local stakeholders to prioritize key areas of change within the neighborhood.

Throughout our research and conversations it became clear that neighbors felt a lack of connection. 3Sixty and the City Shapers cohort launched Eastcore Connect, a monthly gathering to connect neighbors around social, economic and structural developments across their neighborhood.

Over the next year, 3Sixty’s goal is to continue to invest in and organize the resident leaders in Eastcore so they can make lasting change together.

“The Place-Based Leadership Program that 3Sixty has designed will have a measurable and long-term impact that will become a model for your region and beyond,” Dr.Shawn Duncan, Director of Training and Consulting for the Lupton Center said.

You can find the cohort’s findings and final report here.

Lupton Center staff, Shawn Duncan, at our first City Shapers symposium in Feb 2022.

Learn more about the Lupton Center

The City Shapers program from the Lupton Center takes cohorts of local leaders through a two-year journey of assessing their community, aligning around common priorities, and activating strategies for real and lasting change.

Learn more on their website at luptoncenter.org/city-shapers