WHAT IS A SOCIETY?
"A society is a system of relationships."
ARNOLD J. TOYNBEE, HISTORIAN
This is the Cycle
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WHEN PEOPLE TRUST PEOPLE, THE SOCIETY ADVANCES AND AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN
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EVENTUALLY, THE SOCIETY'S ADVANCES CREATE DISCONNECTION, FEAR, AND MISTRUST
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WHEN PEOPLE STOP TRUSTING EACH OTHER, THE SOCIETY BEGINS TO COLLAPSE
This is the Solution
“It has given me so much hope that we can actually unite together around a very simple idea of caring for each other."
Brandon Dyer, Executive Director
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IDENTIFY
Identify caring people in the community (because there are more people who care than don't)
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CONNECT
Connect the caring people to one another to build trusting and supportive relationships
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EQUIP
Equip the caring people with the tools to develop healthy, caring relationships throughout the community
You're not asking me to save the world. You're just asking me to be friends, and friendly, with my neighbors. I can do that.
— Marta Land | Block Leader
2021 SUCCESSES
5609 Interactions
in neighborhoods with 303 gatherings and 1234 neighbors gathered
1500 students
impacted across 12 schools and 4 school districts
2 houses
with 7 weekly programs with 94 individuals participating
We care period means our caring for you doesn't depend on you having the same political affiliation, the same color of skin, you having the same outlook. We care period means there's no comma. It's just a statement of fact.
— Tom Dahlman | Rector Emmanual Episcopal Church
EVIDENCE
TBRI
Trust-based relational intervention to ensure every person is seen, heard, and valued
CASEL
Advancing social and emotional learning to give people tools to build healthy relationships
SCIENCE OF HOPE
Fostering waypower and willpower for better choices today and brighter futures tomorrow
The longer Community Renewal's here, the more people that get involved, in 10 years our community will look 10 times different than it does now.
— Ian Brown | Assistant Campus Pastor, Life Church Shawnee
MEET THE STAFF
(Psst… hover over the pics for bios.)
After 15 years in ministry, Brandon launched Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County to help renew his hometown’s commitment to caring for each other through intentional relationships. When not at work, Brandon spends time with his wife and 4 kids and loves camping, fly fishing, and riding bikes with friends.
Brandon Dyer
Executive Director
Zoe's on a mission to help Shawnee be the best place to raise a kid in the US by 2068. With a background in training development and business management, Zoe dreams big for the future of Community Renewal and Pottawatomie County and then maps the course to get there.
Zoe Loeser
Neighboring and Strategies Director
Michael is all in on the period of We Care. He believes every human should have a seat at his table. With his past work in pastoral ministry, facilities maintenance, and leadership development, Michael directs all of our school based programming hoping to help every student and their family become their best selves.
Michael Phillips
Campus Programs Director
With a background in administration, Alex works within Community Renewal to support programming and manage business affairs. He has passion for Shawnee and helping its citizens restore trust through intentional relationships.
Alex Greenwood
Operations Director
As Engagement Director, Travis builds and maintains intentional relationships throughout Pottawatomie County to aid organizational growth and partnerships.
Travis Flood
Director of Community Engagement
With over thirty years in public education, Sherri comes with a background knowledge of child development and teaching strategies. She is the office manager, works within our kids clubs, and is a community connector. Sherri's favorite part of her job is helping children and families become the best that they can be.
Sherri Thompson
Office Manager and Club Leader
With over 15 years experience working with families and students, Mandi Wells serves as an advocate for families in the community. She believes that every child is one caring adult away from a success story and that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.
Mandi Wells
Family Advocate
With a background in cross-cultural studies and a wealth of experience in volunteering across the community, Rachel is the Friendship House coordinator at the Craig Family Friendship House in the Kickapoo Park neighborhood. She loves providing a support system and resources for the people in her neighborhood and the families of her Elevate class.
Rachel Monday
Friendship House Advocate