A Year of Thanks
It’s that time of year again! The holidays are swiftly upon us, and decorations in stores seem to be out earlier than ever before. It’s around this week that “Thankful” seems to become another buzzword, but here at JCCI, we truly have so many things to be thankful for this year.
We’ve seen a lot of change over our last fiscal year, including the addition of some invaluable staff members, and the preparations to head to a new office space. We’ve been faithfully tracking community indicators as alwyas, and sharing stories of Northeast Florida’s quality of life both here at home and beyond. Most significantly, we launched and faciliatated the JAX2025 visioning initiative to imagine and build a better future for Jacksonville, and the response to that call to action from Jacksonville residents could not make us more proud.
As we head into a short week that will soon be full of turkey, football, parades, and family time, we thought we’d share what we’re thankful for this year with you. And in true JCCI fashion, not just what we’re thankful for, but also what some of our most involved board members, advocates, and volunteers are thankful for as well. Happy Holidays to all!
Michelle Simkulet, JCCI Staff “I’m thankful for Forward and the seemingly never-ending energy this group of emerging leaders has to approach working with all the JAX2025 Targets. And, more personally, seeing JCCI align and commit their efforts to Mental Health in Jacksonville is like a wish come true!”
Annette Puller, Forward Outreach Committee Member I am thankful this year for HandsOn Jacksonville and Michele Simkulet at JCCI, both of whom are working On Target to make this a city Where People Matter. HandsOn Jacksonville has given me the opportunity to serve as a volunteer for AngelAID and to be a project leader, leading a group a volunteers feeding Jacksonville’s homeless men, women, and children. Michelle’s enthusiasm and support has led me to volunteer for JAX2025, Forward, and serve as a board member for Mental Health of America of Northeast Florida.
Daniel Austin, JCCI Staff “I’m thankful for The 5 & Dime, a Theatre Company this year. Working On Target for Arts and Entertainment, my work on their board has allowed me to continue brining art to Jacksonville’s urban core and expanded my own definition of what kind of arts community Jacksonville can support.”
Katie Ross, JCCI Volunteer “I’m thankful for the wonderful training I received as a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2013. The program allowed me to grow into a better community trustee and see that we’re all interconnected and have a responsibility to improve quality of life in our community. Works perfectly into the Exemplary Governance target under JAX2025 in terms of training our future community leaders!”
Susan Cohn, JCCI Staff “I’m thankful for the efforts of the Duval County Food Policy Council, whose work continues to draw attention to cultivating a regional food system that provides fresh and healthy food for all. With events such as the 2nd annual Food Summit, held earlier this month, the FPC works On Target to help Jacksonville become one of the Healthiest Communities in the region.”
Matt Galnor, Forward Outreach Committee Member “I'm thankful that I had to park and walk three blocks to pick up dinner from our Murray Hill pizza joint on a regular old Friday night. It's great to see the area bustling, with more entrepreneurs on the way. Recent development and announced plans for businesses along Edgewood Avenue are huge steps toward the JAX2025 target of fostering Distinct, Flourishing Neighborhoods for people to call home.”
Stephanie Donelan, Forward Executive & Action Committee Member “I'm thankful for the hardworking volunteers with CISV for being focused on making Jacksonville a model city for Diversity and Inclusiveness by working to promote peace education through youth programming.”
Aschelle Morgan, JCCI Staff “This year, I am thankful for One Spark. As a former staff member turned avid supporter, it is truly incredible to be connected to an organization working On Target for Arts and Entertainment and a Vibrant Economy. Not only has the organization transformed the dialogue in and about Jacksonville, it has transformed my own perception of the importance of arts and innovation in community development. Thanks to One Spark we have uncovered how incredible our existing local culture is and can be truly energized about where we are headed in 2025.”
Staci Grant, JCCI Volunteer I am thankful for the inspiration of high quality local storytelling. Being able to attend or be a part of a moving performance in my hometown is really fulfilling, and working towards a strong Arts and Entertainment scene, as well a a vibrant Urban Heart.
Ale'ta Turner, Forward Outreach Committee Chair I am thankful for PowerUP Jax because it allows me the opportunity to interact with innovative Duval County Public School teachers, who work every day to ensure our students are prepared for college and workforce ready. PowerUP Jax encourages community involvement in supporting our local schools, teachers and students. I would like to thank our teachers working On Target by striving for Educational Excellence!
Steve Rankin, JCCI Staff “I’m thankful that Jacksonville is finally reaching a tipping point in momentum for meaningful downtown revitalization. We need the vitality and positive energy that a vibrant downtown can provide, and it’s encouraging that a number of stakeholder organizations seem to be aligning to make it happen. This supports the Neighborhoods & Urban Heart target area of JAX2025.”
Jim Sylvester, JCCI Volunteer “I am thankful that so many in the community are working hard to promote Healthy living in Jacksonville and recognizing that all the other JAX2025 targets are important partners in achieving its promise.”
Stefan Stears, JCCI Volunteer Always on target for Arts & Entertainment, I am thankful for Jacksonville's renewed passion for an artistic identity. The recent mural project is especially something I never thought I'd see in Jacksonville. Dreams do come true!! Also, with my personal experience in running Jacksonville's Official Instagramers Network, I'm thankful for the huge support from people all over the 904, that love taking local photos and using our special hashtag to connect with others who have the same passion.
Molly Wahl, JCCI Staff “I am thankful for the Cathedral Arts Project. Working On Target for both Arts & Entertainment and Excellence in Education, my work with CAP took me inside the classroom to see firsthand the importance of arts education, especially for children with little or no previous exposure to the arts.”
Marcus Haile, JCCI Volunteer “I am thankful for the Board, donors, volunteers and artists of the Cathedral Arts Project. They are all fulfilling the arts education strategy of the Arts and Entertainment Target by providing over 2,000 elementary and middle schools students expanded opportunities for arts education in local after school programs!”
Ben Warner, JCCI Staff “I’m thankful this year for the work of Leadership Jacksonville. I’m volunteered with them as they work On Target in Exemplary Governance to create well-informed, actively engaged, community-minded stewardship in remarkable class after class. It’s a privilege to feel their energy and passion for making this city great.”
Christina Parrish, JCCI Volunteer I am thankful for every member of the steering committee for Groundwork Jacksonville, a coalition of nonprofits and city employees who came together to promote the environmental cleanup and restoration of Hogans Creek and the adjacent greenway in Springfield and East Jacksonville. Because of the committee's hard work, our city was recently selected by the National Park Service to receive funding as a new member of Groundwork USA. Beginning in early 2014, Groundwork Jacksonville will focus on revitalizing this very special part of our urban core. So grateful that I can participate in this project, which hits the bullseye on JAX2025's "Clean and Green" target!
Yvonne Lozano, JCCI Volunteer I am thankful for all the artists who have sacrificed and given so much of themselves and their art to engage and empower our community for a better tomorrow. Local artists have been and will always be a crucial factor in the Arts and Entertainment Target for Jacksonville.
Candace Long, JCCI Staff ““I am thankful for my JCCI Family. I am continuously amazed at the dedicated efforts each individual in the office provides to build a better Jacksonville. I admire this family for guiding me through a world of community engagement that, prior to my employment with the organization, I never knew existed.”
