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Home Partners for Prosperity believes in cultivating and fostering an environment of leadership by providing people in poverty an opportunity to not only empower themselves, but also direct and assist others within their own community by mobilizing resources and providing leadership on best practices. |
OUR HISTORY Partners for Prosperity: New Beginnings for Eastern Idaho originated with a planning grant by the Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF). The NWAF is a private, non-profit organization that was established in 1934 by Louis W. Hill, son of James J. Hill, founder of the Great Northern Railway. The NWAF is a philanthropic organization, supported by approximately 470 million dollars in total assets, and serves an eight-state region that includes: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The mission of the NWAF is to seek long-term community partnerships to reduce poverty. As part of their mission, the NWAF works with communities in stimulating economic growth, sustaining the natural environment, developing effective institutions, and developing solid relationships with many diverse groups and individuals. The “Community Ventures Program” was established by the NWAF as a way for communities to think strategically in helping reduce poverty. The goal of this program focuses on significant involvement from many sources including those affected by poverty, specifically local Native American Tribes and other areas of high poverty. Whereas the NWAF was once a grant-making organization primarily interested in forming and shaping public policy, they now focus on a more proactive, community-specific approach that involves facilitating discussions, creating partnerships, and co-sponsoring organizations as effective change-agents for poverty reduction. As early as 1998, community leaders throughout Eastern Idaho expressed interest in the new philosophy and mission of the NWAF. In December of 2001, the communities of Eastern Idaho, including Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, were invited to come together as a region and participate in an 18-month strategic planning process. A $600,000 planning grant was awarded by the NWAF to Eastern Idaho in order to create a 10 year plan for poverty reduction. Concurrently, three other regional communities in the United States were selected to participate with the same objective. On January 18, 2002 our region formally accepted the NWAF invitation to develop a strategic plan and began organizing and planning. Idaho State University was chosen to be the Grant Administrator. A service area of 16 Eastern Idaho counties and the Fort Hall Indian Reservation was established. An Executive Committee was formed that includes: Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Government Representative, Mayors from Blackfoot, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls, and Commissioners from Bannock, Bonneville, and Bingham Counties. A regional Steering Committee was formed to guide the strategic planning process. Membership on the Steering Committee was fluid, with new membership and ideas welcome at any time. Each person had a voice, with the committee serving as a forum for creative ideas and consensus building. Partners for Prosperity used a multi-method approach to gather information about poverty, including both a qualitative and quantitative analysis of poverty indicators from a variety of sources. Community dialogue meetings were held throughout the region and over 80 personal interviews were conducted with people in poverty who were given the opportunity to tell their story of poverty. In June of 2003, Partners for Prosperity submitted a draft strategic plan to the NWAF. Several public meetings were held and a Steering Committee review panel met to discuss the plan and make suggestions for revisions. In addition, the NWAF presented feedback for revisions. In October, 2003, Partners for Prosperity submitted the final 10 year plan that includes a strong emphasis on the core strategies of relationship building and partnership formation. On December 8, 2003, the NWAF announced that Partners for Prosperity was selected for a long-term partnership that included significant financial and technical assistance. Today, 16 Eastern Idaho counties and the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Tribes have come together as a region to build partnerships and reduce the effects of poverty throughout our community. We are PARTNERS FOR PROSPERITY--New Beginnings for Eastern Idaho. ORGANIZATION
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
STRATEGIC PLAN
Partners for Prosperity is dedicated to reducing poverty by creating an environment of working, learning, adapting and celebrating together with trust, respect and tolerance. We strive to reduce poverty by identifying resources, cultivating partnerships, and implementing actions to achieve a prosperous regional community where all members have a shared awareness of poverty and its consequences. We are committed to working together for the prosperity of the Eastern Idaho Community. We, the community of Eastern Idaho, commit ourselves to work in partnership as a regional community to enhance the impact and presence of prosperity for all people by advancing the following RIGHTS OF PROSPERITY: THE RIGHT to belong, to contribute, to celebrate and to be respected in an environment that fosters personal empowerment and respects individual differences; THE RIGHT to an adequate, balanced, and nutritional source of food each day; THE RIGHT to decent and affordable housing in healthy and diverse neighborhoods in the community of choice; THE RIGHT to affordable, reliable, and efficient system of transportation allowing participation in all aspects of community life; THE RIGHT to early and life-long learning experiences that maximize human potential; THE RIGHT to suitable employment that is community appropriate and dignifies and values the individual; THE RIGHT of access to affordable, quality, and comprehensive health care; THE RIGHT to live without fear of harm, loss, or inequitable treatment in an environment of accountability; THE RIGHT to access and control technological use for entrepreneurial and socially responsible endeavors; THE RIGHT to become...
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