Gaston Together Communities of Excellence

Gaston 2020: civic engagement leadership developed in response to community request to create a potential pool of future leaders for Gaston county - since pilot class 2017, 87 graduates have completed the process designed for 20-25 per cohort. - process includes eight sessions: six 8-hour sessions and two 6-hour sessions - goals: intentional cross-sector community building; in-depth personal awareness and personal skills development; and greater knowledge of Gaston county.

Community leadership programs: to build and promote community pride in Gaston county - community leadership awards promotes community pride and showcases positive community improvement/enhancements. Presented to an organization that has used non-silo, unique problem-solving process to improve quality of life in Gaston county. Over 250 attend annual event. - pride in Gaston traveling tour and proudest kid in Gaston county essay contest for third graders, builds community pride in young students. All public schools and many private schools participate each year representing over 2500 students annually. Since its creation in the 2000-2001 school year, over 48,000 students have participated in this program.

Healthcare commission: established to develop a workable community-wide agenda to improve the health status of citizens in Gaston county. This work is accomplished through a network of organizations and people involved in health care access, funding, distribution, and resource allocation. Current focus areas: - healthy Gaston - seeks to create a culture of wellness in businesses, schools and churches and thereby improve the vitality of organizations and ultimately impact individual health. With part-time staff and in spite of the pandemic, 34 organizations currently enrolled representing over 12,200 employees. Current status levels: ten at gold level, fourteen at silver level, six at bronze level and four on the wellness journey. - policy and advocacy teams: 1) Gaston controlled substances coalition with over 100 members serving the coalition and focused on the opioid epidemic 2) health in all aspects, which develops policies in support of environments that enable county residents to achieve healthy outcomes. - health at home: medical reference guide program established for the uninsured and underinsured (at no cost) in Gaston county. Books also sold to companies and individuals to help sustain program for the uninsured and underinsured. 1) since 2004, over 12,500 books now distributed in Gaston county (includes training on how to use the book) 2) surveys on use of the book distributed after six-month use. Regardless of station in life, book recipients say it has helped them with a medical issue and has saved them an unnecessary visit to the er.

Other programs and services include the Gaston clergy and citizens coalition, training programs, etc.