Unleashing Lab Sparks Community Action in DeSoto County

The DeSoto County Ahead Unleashing Lab, led by The Harwood Institute and sponsored by The Patterson Foundation, brought local residents together to turn outward toward their community and take action on what matters most. Building on the Getting Started Public Innovators Lab held earlier this year, the Unleashing Lab focused on using public knowledge, the authentic voices, hopes, and concerns of local people, to identify ways to make DeSoto County stronger and more connected.

Participants shared their ideas, energy, and commitment to create a shared path forward. The community’s public knowledge concentrated on the four teams: Faith, Housing, Youth, and Health. Each team developed practical next steps to move from conversation to action.

• The Faith Team is exploring ways to strengthen collaboration among local churches to meet community needs.
• The Housing Team is seeking partnerships to increase access to safe, affordable housing.
• The Youth Team plans to create more opportunities for youth leadership and engagement.
• The Health Team is focusing on better communication and awareness of available resources.

Four remarkable young people joined the Lab, offering valuable insights into what makes DeSoto County feel like home and how they envision a community where everyone belongs. Their participation reminded everyone that youth voices are essential to building the future.

Throughout the day, a genuine sense of connectedness and excitement filled the room. People left inspired, ready to share what they learned, and eager to involve others in shaping DeSoto County’s next steps in DeSoto County Ahead.