Akron-Westfield Heart & Soul, Iowa
Akron-Westfield Heart & Soul served residents within the Akron-Westfield Community School District in northwest Iowa including the communities of Akron (population 1,588), Westfield (population 130) and surrounding rural areas. Set within the scenic Loess Hills region and adjacent to the Big Sioux River, the area offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Downtown Akron is home to locally owned shops and dining options, as well as the historic Akron Opera House.
The towns of Akron and Westfield, Iowa joined forces to improve their communities. They received $10,000 to kickstart Community Heart & Soul through our Seed Grant Program. Stronger Together: Akron and Westfield Heart & Soul is discovering what matters most to the residents and playing the long game.
Local Conditions:
A group of volunteers along with city and school district leaders, initiated Akron-Westfield Heart & Soul to strengthen community and build on positive momentum in the region. The goals were to foster community pride by highlighting community strengths and areas for improvement. There was a desire to bolster community cohesion in the region and find new opportunities for partnership between Akron and Westfield.
Volunteer and Community Response:
The volunteer Heart & Soul team raised awareness and collected input at a wide variety of community events, including a back-to-school pool party, the annual Great Akron Scarecrow Festival, the Festival of Trees, and the local farmers market. By integrating activities with existing community events, the team successfully met residents where they already were, enhancing outreach and participation. They also hosted a well-attended community roundtable event to review Heart & Soul statements and project ideas.
Partnerships were formed with representatives from the cities, school district, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Heart & Soul Outcomes:
• Transformed a vacant downtown lot into a pocket park
• Established the Akron & Westfield Growth Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to providing ongoing support, leadership and funding for projects that address community needs and priorities
• Launched the GROW Challenge, offering $500 toward projects that meet community needs
• Energized several fundraising campaigns, including those for the Akron Family Aquatic Center, Akron Trails project, Akron Opera House renovation
• Improved dialogue and collaboration between key organizations and created pathways for residents to share ideas and take action
Read more about Stronger Together: Akron and Westfield Heart & Soul here!
