Celebrating Wins and Sharing Public Knowledge in DeSoto County

The Patterson Foundation’s DeSoto County Ahead initiative hosted the DeSoto Public Innovators Holiday Celebration Dinner in December at Rose Café. The dinner brought community members together for a night of celebration, connection, and inspiration. The four action teams, which are Faith, Health, Youth, and Housing, shared the public knowledge from their work, highlighting recent wins and creating ripples for what’s ahead. Attendees responded with enthusiasm, ideas, and offers to get involved.

Looking forward, Public Knowledge will continue to grow and reach more people through upcoming events like the January 13, 2026, DeSoto County Ahead Update Dinner and Exhibit, Public Innovator Workspace #2 in February, and the ongoing device donation drive, which is already seeing amazing success. The DeSoto Digest is expanding, now reaching over 40 distribution points across the county.

The evening also celebrated five new 2025 Harwood Catalytic Guides: Clara Alvarez, Sophia Antoine, Asha Campbell, Eric Hamilton, and Allen Reeser, sponsored by The Patterson Foundation. They join previous graduates: Jennifer Bowser, Ashley Coone, Cheri Coryea, Hope Cross, Alicia Exantus, Carrie Fuller, Melissa Hirstein, Sherry Oehler, Amanda Reuter, and Marla Smith. These Catalytic Guides, along with local leaders, are committed to strengthening their community in DeSoto County.

The energy was palpable, the ideas were flowing, and the impact was clear: DeSoto County is moving ahead, together. Join an action team and be part of the change. Contact Cheri Coryea at CCoryea@thepattersonfoundation.org to get involved.