Marshall county residents came together to address com- munity needs. A diverse group of community leaders and residents gathered on August 1 at the Marshall County OSU Extension Office to participate in a crucial focus group aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing needs of the community. Facilitated by Pinky Mayo, CSBG Director, the event provided a platform for open dialogue and collaboration.
The focus group was convened to delve deep into the community's challenges and explore potential solutions. Participants engaged in robust discussions centered around a range of critical topics, including childcare, transportation, nutrition, healthcare, housing and emergency services.
“The goal of this focus group is to create a comprehensive understanding of our community’s needs and to develop actionable plans to address them,” Mayo. said. "We believe that by bringing together a diverse group of individuals, we can collectively identify the most effective strategies for improving the quality of life for all Marshall County residents."
Attendees shared their personal experiences and insights, offering valuable perspectives on the challenges faced by different segments of the community. By fostering open communication and collaboration, the focus group aimed to create a shared vision for the future of Marshall County.
Key outcomes of the meeting included a comprehensive assessment of existing community resources, identification of priority needs, and the development of potential solutions and strategies. Participants shared information about services and community outreach efforts available and voiced their concerns about what services are lacking or needing attention.
Participants stated that the lack of affordable housing and increasing land prices in Mar- shall County are just two of the biggest challenges residents face. Other challenges voiced by participants are the lack of doctors including dentists.
“The input and feedback we received from community members were invaluable,” said Mayo. “Their insights will be instrumental in shaping our future programs and services.”
As the focus group concluded, participants expressed optimism about the potential impact of their collective efforts. The gathered information will be carefully analyzed to inform the development of targeted initiatives that ad- dress the community's most pressing needs.
The community needs focus group serves as a testament to the power of community engagement. By working together, residents can create a brighter future for themselves and future generations.
Anyone that was not able to attend the meeting can still make an impact by completing an assessment survey. The survey is available online and in paper format. Mayo said that completing the survey will not only help identify services that are lacking in the community, it also helps to identify which services are already making the biggest impact and are needed the most by residents. The survey is anonymous and open to everyone to participate.