Our Current Initiative
Thriving individuals are the foundation of a thriving community. Our current initiative reflects our deep commitment to building a future where everyone feels supported, opportunities are within reach, and well-being is achievable for all.
At The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread, we believe everyone deserves access to opportunities that lead to well-being and economic security. Yet for many, this is not their reality. Our current initiative is focused on changing that.
Grounded in community voice and deep local research, including insights from Racine Speaks, our Strategic Initiative is dedicated to supporting our community in experiencing greater well-being. By working alongside partners, residents, and community leaders, we aim to ensure everyone has the resources and support they need to thrive.
Rooted in Research
Our work is built on a strong foundation of research, data, and community insights. By listening to residents, analyzing local trends, and engaging experts, we ensure that our initiatives address the real challenges and opportunities in Greater Racine.
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2017
The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread launches Resilient Communities, a Strategic Initiative of the Foundation, with a series of community briefings. These briefings feature experts discussing how to build strong communities and findings from a study that assessed how well-prepared the region is for the future.
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2020
The Foundation convenes a community advisory panel in response to the finding that there is a lack of understanding about disparities across Greater Racine. The Foundation conducts a series of community conversations with more than 300 community members.
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2022
Racine Speaks is published with detailed community input on the realities of Education, Economy, Health, and Justice in Racine. The Foundation includes a call to action with several compelling actions that residents can take.
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2023
The Foundation convenes a set of local leaders and community members to be the Safety & Well-being steering committee, a part of the current Strategic Initiative of the Foundation. This group seeks to explore key themes from Racine Speaks and build community-led solutions that will ensure a strong social and economic future for those who call Racine home.
To better understand the disparities uncovered in our Resilient Communities Roundtable discussions, we engaged grassroots and community leaders and nearly 300 community members to hear their perspectives on how we can build a more equitable and prosperous region for all.
A community advisory panel recommended we focus on four areas: education, economy, health & justice. Read the research to understand the realities faced by residents. The path to a more equitable and prosperous Racine starts with knowledge—dive into the findings today.
Education
In conversations with Racine Unified School District high school students, parents of K-12 students, non-graduates, teachers, principals, and counselors, we heard that people see pronounced racial disparities; participants said there is unequal access to essential resources and want successful programs expanded to all schools.
They seek better anti-racism training for teachers and administrative staff, and greater diversity in staff and curriculum; clear, consistent leadership and communication; and efforts to build community beyond the school, supporting all children.
Economy
In conversations with people who were unemployed, low-wage/underemployed, and working women and mothers, we heard that the minimum wage is too low, especially with rising rents. Participants said opportunity is limited by race, gender and background. They seek more affordable talent development opportunities and childcare, and workplace flexibility that supports employees. In conversation with business owners, we heard that our community lacks a shared vision and shared responsibility. Participants want to see more cross-collaboration across borders and sectors, entrepreneurship support, and qualified job candidates.
Health
In conversations with parents of young children, adults with limited access to healthcare, healthcare providers, and environmental leaders, we heard that quality healthcare is not seen as a given for people of all races. There is a fear of receiving diagnoses and treatment, exacerbated by barriers such as language, lack of healthcare literacy, and the spread of misinformation. Community safety is also a concern as gun violence affects daily life and stress levels. Additionally, participants want more focus on addressing causes of health issues and prevention, making healthy food available in all neighborhoods, and increasing environmental literacy.
Justice
In conversations with adults involved in the justice system, their parents and family members, law enforcement officers, public defenders and attorneys, we heard that there are racial disparities in arrests and sentencing, heightened by a lack of affordable legal representation. Both law enforcement officers and community members said stereotypes and lack of trust pose challenges. Participants want more resources for rehabilitation, system-wide mental health support, decriminalization and better communication between system leaders.
On the Table: Racine
On the Table: Racine was a follow-up to Racine Speaks to encourage healthy dialogue, foster a connected community, and spark collaborative action.
Created by The Chicago Community Trust, On the Table brought people together around a meal and a common purpose.
Small, independently organized gatherings offered people the opportunity to discuss experiences and solutions to topics that matter in their lives and communities.