Highland Pride Fund

Goal: $3,000.00

Specific Need

The Doniphan West Class of 2023 participated in a community evaluation program provided by Highland PRIDE. They identified strengths of the Highland community and suggested areas for improvement. One area drew particular attention from the student groups; our parks. Specifically, the recreational areas next to Highland Community Ballpark.

We are working as a community to discuss the final outcome of this recreational space. Residents of all ages have been invited to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and feedback to this project. All of our decisions will be based on our available budget for this project.

Our goal is to provide the materials and manpower to repaint the bathroom facilities, repair and repaint recreational equipment, and improve the overall appearance of the park. Last year, with the help of the City of Highland, we refurbished our old horseshoe arena into a usable space for cornhole and other group activities. We were also able to purchase two portable pickle ball nets and add two pickle ball courts to the basketball court at Minier Park.

Mission

The volunteers of Highland PRIDE work to spearhead projects, sponsor activities, and hold events that foster a sense of pride in our local community.

Highland PRIDE seeks to promote our commitment to building and supporting community engagement. We believe that a single action can make a difference in the community and that collective action can greatly impact the world. Through advocacy and outreach activities, our group works to help maximize community and economic development for the greater good. We hope that others will recognize and embrace the benefits of community spirit.

Profile

Spring of 2022, Highland Pride facilitated the Youth Community Perceptions Program to the Class of 2023. The students were presented with information about community capitals. We discussed how these interact and often overlap. They then conducted an evaluation of our community. They were directed to evaluate six specific locations from the welcome sign to the front door of City Hall. Afterwards there was a debriefing, they reviewed pictures, and analyzed the information on evaluation sheets. A subset of students prepared and presented their findings in a public meeting.

"This was a great opportunity for students to actively engage in the planning for the future of their community. I hope the City Council, Pride and other organizations take their valuable input and work together to better our community. The future of our town relies on expanding opportunities and resources so we may retain these students after they have finished their education." Tana Snyder, City Council