How might we empower student voice in Caldwell through a community improvement project?
In the fall of 2016, One Stone grew its reach to Canyon County by launching Project Good at the Treasure Valley YMCA. Students spent time learning about community needs and challenges in order to identify something they would like to take on and address through service. While becoming familiar with design thinking, students decided their ultimate goal would be to foster student voice.
The student team dove into the initial phases of design thinking, interviewing each other and members of the community about what makes Caldwell special. The group identified Caldwell’s parks, specifically Memorial Park, as important community gathering places with deep meaning for many people. They built a survey and queried 50+ regular park users about the ways they spend time in the park and what enhancements would be most beneficial.
After several months of planning, the team created “Refresh Caldwell: Memorial Park,” a one-day community service project bringing new life to a beloved community asset. They partnered with the Caldwell Youth Master Plan Committee, Caldwell Department of Parks and Recreation, Caldwell High School’s National Honor Society and Student Council, and the College of Idaho’s Track and Field Team to stage the large-scale community day of service. Volunteers repainted the play structure, facilitated a whole park clean up, sanded and repainted trash cans, installed changing tables in the restrooms, planted flowers, positioned a bicycle air and repair station, and more. A food truck and other family friendly activities were also available during the service project, creating a community event that people of all ages could enjoy.
Huge thanks to the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, the Idaho Community Foundation, and the Whittenberger Foundation for their support of this project. We could not have launched this project without their investment, and we are grateful!
Outcomes
Hundreds of community members served
15 gallons of paint
35 bushes and flowers planted
5 gallons of cement poured for bike air and repair station platform
2 diaper changing tables installed
“What a cool opportunity to have our voices as students be heard in our community! I spend so much time at Memorial Park and having say in how we wanted to enhance it was a really awesome experience.”
- High school planning team member
“Many thanks to the students for organizing this event. It was so well planned and the results are wonderful. We were thrilled to be a part of their plan for the day and thanks to all for making us feel so welcome. It was a win-win day for Caldwell and for those who participated!”
- Residents of Caldwell
"Community is when everyone in it feel that their input is needed and valued to produce an impactful outcome. One Stone provides this opportunity for our youth. We appreciate our partnership."
- Claudia Suastegui, Associate Executive Branch Director, Treasure Valley Family YMCA
