Third data walk to be held October 6 with focus on COVID-19, racial equity
Contact
Jeff Danna
Communications Manager
jeff@dbqfoundation.org
563.588.2700
For immediate release
DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s third annual data walk on Tuesday, October 6 will bring together local leaders to explore ways in which Dubuque-area residents face barriers to success as well as opportunities to help people succeed.
Due to COVID-19, this year's data walk will be held virtually. Via Zoom, the Community Foundation will share displays that focus on important community indicators, including the COVID-19 outbreak and community response and racial equity in areas like academic achievement, the criminal justice system and housing.
“As we partner with organizations and residents in the community, it’s important to understand what data says about how our neighbors fare in different areas of life,” says Alex Baum, the Community Foundation’s knowledge management director. “By following the data and listening to people, we can understand where to direct efforts that would help more people thrive.”
The data is intended to drive discussion and collaboration around developing innovative, localized solutions to complex community challenges, a primary focus of the Community Foundation’s work.
This year, the COVID-19 pandemic and killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police have drawn national and local attention to the ways various systems, such as health care and criminal justice, impact different populations of people. The local statistics on display at this year’s data walk will be filtered through the lens of these current events.
Data drives the Community Foundation’s work to break down barriers that hinder people’s success. For instance, an ongoing needs assessment led by the Foundation and a consortium of area religious sisters is identifying resources available to immigrant families in the Dubuque region with the goal of helping more people access these services.
Rather than browsing displays in the Community Foundation’s office, attendees at this year’s data walk will have the opportunity to view the displays on a new website while posting online comments and interacting through a Zoom conference.
Advance registration is required, and community leaders from the nonprofit, government, civic, social service and education sectors are invited to attend this free event. Visit dbqfoundation.org/DataWalk2020 for more information.
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The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque envisions a vibrant and inclusive Dubuque region where everyone can thrive. Since 2002, we have inspired people to give back to their community, and we turn this generosity into lasting change across our region, increasing access to resources and opportunities that help all people succeed.
Visit dbqfoundation.org to learn about the many ways we are building a strong, thriving Greater Dubuque for all—and how you can donate your time, talents, and dollars to transform our region.