Unite Ellis

History & Where We’re Going

After several years of working with the John Maxwell team to implement a leadership round table curriculum, hosting several leadership conferences, facilitating two city projects (Waxahachie Project and Midlothian Project) and spurring on collaboration in the county to further leaders and transform our communities, the leadership cabinet for Ellis County conducted research throughout the county to determine needs and potential next steps for a county-wide collaboration. This research and conversations led to partnering with Unite DFW and launching Unite Ellis in order to inform, connect and equip those in our county to care for the people of our community. For the first year, the following arenas will be focused on for Unite Ellis:

 

Relational Infrastructure - Implementing County-Wide Relational Infrastructure

  • Identifying Champions at the county and city levels, at content/issue levels (poverty, youth, foster care, etc.) and at the neighborhood level with at least one Champion per elementary school zone (32 zones total in the county)

  • Champions help navigate needs, keep the communities connected, serve as point people for areas they are over

  • Unite Ellis supports Champions with communication, collaboration, and training

County Convene - Helping to Facilitate Collaboration

  • Unite Ellis facilitates ongoing gatherings between the various groups across the county to encourage and foster collaboration. Groups could be across cities, sectors (nonprofits, churches, businesses, etc) or across content/issue topics

  • Unite Ellis adds value to the leaders of the county, provides trainings and speakers and continues to promote Transformative Leadership Table curriculum

Gloo Connect (Navigators / Explorers) - Implementing Navigators to Connect with Explorers

  • Unite Ellis identifies church contacts and community members to serve as Navigators. Training, encouragement and ongoing collaboration is provided

  • Unite DFW works with partner organizations to launch PR campaigns inviting community members (called "Explorers") to reach out if they need help. Some campaigns focus on specific issue areas such as depression, anxiety, loneliness while others are generally focused.

  • Navigators receive Explorers by geographic connections and help Explorers as needed

Catalyst Focus: Mental Health - Deploying Mental Health as the Catalyst Focus

  • Unite Ellis will serve as a backbone, umbrella organization to foster collaboration and connection with organizations and entities serving on the front lines. After the above arenas are established, the topic of Mental Health (which was identified as a top 5 gap in conducted research) will be used as the catalyst focus to implement the above work and connections.

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Get Involved

  • Do you provide services to our community? Make sure you are listed and updated in HelpFinder (link to sign up for HelpFinder)

  • Serve as a Navigator receiving Explorers by geographic connections and help Explorers as needed.

  • Help support our frontline workers

  • Serve as a contact for your church, organization or business to be involved in Unite Ellis

  • Provide input into the mental health conversations

  • Support Unite’s work financially to help sustain the efforts across the county

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Contacts:

Ellis County Champion: Anna Hammonds, Anna@UniteEllis.org (For general questions about Unite Ellis)

Midlothian City Champions: Sissy Franklin, Melissa Boler

Waxahachie City Champion: Sandy King

Red Oak City Champions: Donna Knight, David Johnston, Jared Douglas

Ennis City Champions: Christen Vick, Betty Honza

Ferris City Champion: Brooks Williams

Palmer City Champion: TBD

Maypearl City Champion: TBD

Milford City Champion: TBD

Avalon City Champion: TBD

Leadership Development & Leadership Curriculum: Jeremy Trojacek

Faith Champion: Meg Habasevich

 

Upcoming Events:

 

COPE – July 22nd https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ellis-county-cope-tickets-323464690597

 

Ellis County Convene - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ellis-county-convene-tickets-329085793467

October 19, 11:30-1:00 pm

Location: TBD

Connect with other leaders in the County across the regions and the sectors. More details to come! 

 

 

Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/UniteEllis

 

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