The Belonging Begins with Us: Rockford Initiative is a movement convened by NICNE and led by a Task Force of more than 30 individuals and organizations working to build a culture of Belonging in Rockford where everyone is seen, heard, and valued. The work being done is based on the philosophy of Othering and Belonging developed by john a. powell, Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at University of California, Berkeley. The Task Force meets monthly to engage in work around:

• Co-Creating Systems and Structures – So that all people prosper and thrive.
• Strengthening Community Life – Building a sense of community for all neighbors, uplifting and empowering residents, and building trust and relationships between community members and our city.
• Opening Doors – Providing opportunities for engagement in the belonging movement, opportunities for leadership for diverse individuals throughout the community, and speaking up for reform.
• Building Deeper Relationships – Working to build relationships that are meaningful and trust-filled across our community and within the Belonging Initiative workgroups.

In August of 2023, the Belonging Task Force members acknowledged that they were each deeply engaged in ongoing work related to Belonging. Members decided to transform the work of the Task Force into a structure where individual members lead monthly sessions and facilitate conversations around specific topics. Subject-matter experts and those engaged in the work are called in to share their expertise and discuss how Belonging is woven in to contribute towards building a culture of Belonging.

Each presentation follows a similar outline and are facilitated or organized by Task Force volunteers. Group members and attendees learn about a variety of topics each month, enabling them to be ambassadors and connectors in the community to advance the work being done through a Belonging lens. Meetings also provide an avenue to be engaged in future work around specific topics. Please email Billie Callahan at bcallahan@niu.edu for upcoming meeting details.

August 31 2023: Food Insecurity

A panel of presenters, including Alberta Walker of Voices of Inspiration, Carol Erickson of U of I Extension, Leslie Varisco of Rock River Valley Pantry, and Yvette Sellers of Northern Illinois Food Bank was moderated by Kim Adams Bakke, retired Executive Director of Rock River Valley Pantry.
More than 30 people were in attendance. Presenters shared local data and research on food insecurity and the extent of the impact of food insecurity in the Rockford area. Information was also shared about how organizations engage lived experience and ensure the dignity of their consumers, best practices of how to permanently address hunger, systemic and structural barriers that prevent food security, and how we might work together towards long-term solutions to food insecurity. Alberta Walker and Kim Adams Bakke will facilitate ongoing meetings with a variety of stakeholders on food insecurity and their initial meeting will be held on October 25.

Watch the meeting recording here. View the presentation slides here.

September 21 2023: Housing Insecurity

Keri Asevedo and Caitlyn Baylor of Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity and Ron Clewer from Gorman and Co. presented on housing insecurity in the Rockford region. More than 20 people were in attendance. Presenters shared local data on housing quality and access, how organizations engage lived experience and ensure the dignity of their consumers, best practices on how to permanently address housing insecurity, systemic and structural barriers that prevent housing security, and how we might work together towards long-term solutions. Keri Asevedo and Caitlyn Baylor will engage a follow-up meeting with stakeholders who wish to engage more deeply in the work around housing.

Watch the meeting recording here. View the presentation slides here.

October 19: 2023 planning meeting at NICNE at NIU Rockford

The Task Force and engaged community members gathered to plan 2024 conversation topics and to refine the model for moving forward.

November 16 2023: Higher Education facilitated by Keith Barnes of Rock Valley College

December 14 2023: Community Cultural Plan presented by Mary McNamara Bernsten of Rockford Area Arts Council

2024 Meetings

2024 Meetings have focused on a variety of topics, including higher education, the arts, criminal justice, public schools, faith communities, racial wealth and banking, transportation, and healthcare systems. Work has continued and deepened around housing and food insecurity.

2025 Meetings

The Task Force continues to engage in deep-dive conversation around a variety of systems and topics to build belonging and address systemic inequities. Topics discussed so far in 2025 include digital access and literacy and the digital divide (January), higher education (February), the potential for an economic empowerment center (March), progress made on food insecurity (April), ways to support African immigrants living in our community (May), and planning for marketing and community engagement activities.