community mobilization

Community mobilization has been defined as a capacity building process through which community individuals, groups, or organizations plan, carry out and evaluate activities on a participatory and sustained basis to improve health and other needs on their own initiative or stimulated by others. Mobilization increases the participatory decision-making processes by bringing diverse stakeholders to the table. It brings those people to the table who may not normally be involved in the decision making process. Mobilization also fosters strong relationships between local governments, businesses and community members.
Mobilization strengthens and enhances the ability of communities to work together to achieve goals that are important for that community. Community mobilization is not something that is done over night, but it is a process that requires time and commitment from all parties involved. The key to successful mobilization efforts is making sure that communities are in the driver’s seat during the process. Mobilization is not something that happens to the community; it is something that the community does. One of the primary goals of mobilization is to make sure mobilization efforts are community driven. This allows a community to solve its problems through its own efforts which is the key to having sustained outcomes within a community. (Cited from Florida Dept of Health)

learn and act

• know your ACE & resilience scores
• attend local trainings on ACEs and resilience building
• read about ACEs, brain science, resilience and hope
• take a Strengthening Families, Triple P, or other parenting course that helps families connect, communicate and manage conflict with confidence and compassion.
  • Strengthening Families at WSU Extension
  • Triple P at Brigid Collins’ Parenting Academy
• share this information with others
• have fun as a family! Make time to play, laugh, talk and eat meals together.
• Fill out our stay connected form to:
  • join the Resilience Network
  • be invited to future discussions, trainings and other face-to-face opportunities
  • become a trainer/discussion facilitator
• Be compassionate to yourself and others—ACEs likely impact us all.

WFCN offers a variety of training and supports other individuals and organizations who provide learning opportunities related to our mission. If you, your family, organization, company or community seek information about adverse childhood experience, building resilience, conflict-resolution, restorative practice and social justice & equity, check out upcoming training offerings from WFCN and our growing community speaker’s list.

Some of the current and past resilience efforts we’ve partnered with include:

• Birchwood
  • Kapow! park painting and family fun events
  • Family Language Exchange Program (FLEX)
  • Community Cares
  • Birchwood bash family night out
  • Birchwood Cares connects and celebrates
  • Shuksan Community Family Night
  • Alderwood meals
• Roosevelt
  • Roosevelt Neighborhood Resource Center
• Kendall/Columbia Valley
  • Columbia Valley Community Connections Group
  • meals
• Nooksack Valley
  • community resilience meetings in Sumas, Everson & Nooksack