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Leaders to target social issues in Battle Creek

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Nearly 100 leaders will gather this week in Battle Creek to learn how to improve their communities.

The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation and the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region are joining together on a three-year initiative to target social issues.

They received a $1.4 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to help make Battle Creek the first ever Beacon Community.

The hope is to become a national model using Harwood's methods to address challenges.

"Our ultimate hope in this work, over the next three years and beyond is to make sure we're doing things together as a community and that we're making measurable positive changes in our community," said Chris Sargent.

Authority, authenticity and accountability are the touchstones of the Harwood approach.

After the three day lab the United Way will start meeting with individuals in the area to better understand the hopes for their community.