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, 115 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 50,000 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. 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. - 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.