Activate Newsletter: August 2026

[Marlo Fox]

Activate August 2026 When Caregivers Help Design Care How Imagine Pediatrics Is Building Better Healthcare With Families   What happens when organizations stop designing solutions for people and start designing with them? At Think Tank we believe that people most affected by poverty are essential to solving it. It’s that belief that fuels our trainings, programs and partnerships. Imagine Pediatrics demonstrates what can happen when organizations move beyond collecting feedback and begin sharing decision-making power. As a mother to children with medically complex needs, Jennifer Uscanga's experience wasn't something the organization wanted represented only in a brochure—it became an integral part of how decisions were made, ultimately creating better experiences for families and stronger systems of care. Read More ­ Resource Spotlight Build a Compassionate System   Navigating poverty often means managing multiple challenges with limited time, energy, and resources. Even well-intentioned systems can add unnecessary obstacles through complicated forms, extensive documentation requirements, long wait times, or unclear communication. These barriers create friction and can make it harder for people to access the support they need. This resource from the Exchange Resource Library invites organizations to examine their processes and services from the perspective of someone navigating poverty. It also offers practical ideas to help lighten the load and create more compassionate systems. Grab This Resource ­ Upcoming Events These events are for Exchange Members only. Want to join? Click Here!   Back to School: The Power of Partnership Wednesday, August 19th @ 3pm EST Back-to-school season brings excitement, but for many families it can bring a heavy load. Beyond school supplies and backpacks, parents may be navigating transportation, housing instability, changing work schedules, childcare, technology, and school expectations and systems that can be difficult to navigate. Join us on August 19 for our monthly Power Hour featuring Bonita Thomas with Poverty Solutions Group. Drawing from both her lived experience as a parent and her professional experience building bridges between educators and families in Central Florida, Bonita will share practical ways to strengthen partnerships that support students and improve learning outcomes. When families feel seen, valued, and trusted, stronger partnerships can take root. Together, we'll explore how moving from transaction to connection helps build trust with parents, recognize the strengths they already bring, and create the conditions for students to thrive. Whether you're an educator, employer, ministry, service provider, community leader, or someone who wants to better support families, you'll leave with practical ideas you can put into practice this school year. Join us on the third Wednesday of each month at 3:00 PM ET. Register Here Getting Activated After COPE August 13, 1:00pm EST You’ve been through a COPE, now what? Join us for an Activate Session designed to help you turn the insights from your COPE experience into meaningful action.  In just 45 minutes, you will have the opportunity to: Revisit the themes of compassion, connection, and influence that emerged during the COPE debrief. Identify practical next steps and build momentum so the learning from COPE continues beyond the day itself. Access tools for real-life application that you can use individually or with your team.   RSVP Not an Exchange Member? Learn More! ­ "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."  —Maya Angelou ­ ­ 20 South Limestone Street, Suite 330, 45502, Springfield This email was sent to step...@co.larimer.co.us You've received it because you've subscribed to our newsletter. View in browser| Unsubscribe