Muskegon, MI - From 2014 to 2024, Wellville, a national nonprofit project, embarked on a unique ten-year journey, supporting five U.S. communities as they strived to improve long-term, equitable community well-being. Unlike traditional grant-giving organizations, Wellville fostered a collaborative environment, providing guidance and facilitating connections rather than direct financial support. This approach empowered the participating communities to build sustainable, locally-driven initiatives that they would ultimately own and cherish.

Recently, representatives from the five Wellville communities – Gladstock County, Spartanburg, Muskegon, North Hartford, and Roseville – along with the Wellville National team and partners, convened to reflect on the past decade and envision the future. The gathering served as both a celebration of their collective achievements and an opportunity to solidify the lessons learned.

"Everything just about has changed since then, including it's not a competition," explained a representative from Wellville National. "Wellville is actually an opportunity for five communities to work together to learn what improves equitable well-being over the long haul, and to share ideas and to partner with outside and inside organizations that want to help."

Marcus Robinson from Social Innovation Group, a long-time guest of Wellville, emphasized the significance of the relationships forged over the years. "It's just a beautiful time to watch people come together and build relationships, which is the fundamental building block to neighborhoods, communities, cities, even our nation." He highlighted that in an increasingly disconnected world, Wellville fostered crucial social wellness through connection.

The unique business model of Wellville, providing advisors without offering direct funding or charging fees, proved instrumental in fostering ownership and sustainability. "Our advice has to make sense to them rather than, they're gonna give us money, so we'll do it," a Wellville representative noted. "And what that also means is they're building something that they want, and when we leave after the ten years, they have it, they own it. It's what they made for themselves."

Participants shared powerful stories of transformation within their communities. In Spartanburg, a representative spoke of how Wellville's guidance shifted their approach. "We really did, the community learned how to think differently. We didn't chase the money. We learned how to identify the right things and then make a plan." This new mindset led to the birth of "Hello Family," a program providing home visitation for every new mother in the city. Initially taking six years to launch due to complex financing, Hello Family's success has now garnered national attention and $100 million in funding to expand its reach county-wide.

Another success story emerged from Muskegon, where the concept of "Claps of Resilient" took root, fostering trauma-informed care and community resilience. The North Coast Food Web, also supported by Wellville, grew from a small initiative to a significant organization addressing food access and supporting local farmers. CHART (Community Health Resource and Advocacy Team) in Muskegon also benefited from Wellville's support in its mission to connect community organizations and advocate for residents.

The spirit of collaboration extended beyond individual community projects. A representative from Muskegon shared how a "Place Matters" conference, facilitated with Wellville's support, focused on understanding how their place affects the Hispanic and Latino community's health outcomes. This led to valuable insights into barriers within the food system and informed the North Coast Food Web's efforts to provide more Spanish-speaking resources.

The impact of Wellville went beyond tangible programs. Participants consistently spoke of the profound personal and community-level changes they experienced. One representative described it as "life-changing" and "empowering," fostering connections with like-minded individuals across the country in a non-competitive environment. The open and inclusive nature of Wellville, without rigid requirements or a focus on individual funder credit, was repeatedly highlighted as a key differentiator.

As Wellville concludes its ten-year journey, the final gathering was a poignant moment of reflection and forward-thinking. Participants engaged with the Sankofa principle – "go back and get it" – acknowledging the lessons of the past to inform their future endeavors. They envisioned a future where communities thrive, where residents have their basic needs met, and where equity prevails.

The "Story River" activity symbolized the collective journey, with each community adding metaphors and representations of their experiences. Themes of community care, risk-taking, and mutual aid emerged, alongside acknowledgments of challenges faced and the ongoing commitment to reconciliation and understanding.

As the participants returned to their respective communities, they carried with them "river stones" – reminders of the promises made to themselves and each other, guided by the principles of love, health, legacy, and sustainability. While the formal Wellville project has come to an end, the seeds of collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to equitable well-being have been firmly planted in these five communities, promising a lasting legacy for years to come. As the recurring sentiment echoed, "Take me to your river, because I want to go" – forward, together.