Forward Janesville - TheReport - Second Quarter 2018

SECOND QUARTER 2018 • 7 Dream a little dream with me SHERRI STUMPF - PRESIDENT, BLACKHAWK COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION FORWARD JANESVILLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CHAIR For 100 years, Forward Janesville has been reflecting on the past while envisioning our community’s future. History can teach us a great deal. Not just where we’ve been, but also where we are headed. When I first moved to Janesville in 2011, I was struck by the town’s historical references. I remember thinking I wish I could have seen Janesville back in the day. I’ve come to learn that I can catch glimpses of our city’s past simply by listening to stories—stories of resiliency, reinvention, and revitalization. Janesville is resilient. A resilient community uses its assets to strengthen itself well enough to withstand, adapt to, and recover from adversity. As recent as 2009, Janesville experienced tough economic times, high unemployment, and the closing of the General Motors plant. Area non-profit organizations saw significant increases in client needs. Yet the people here continued to inspire, engage, and engage to help Janesville grow and thrive. People, businesses large and small, and area non-profits maintained their commitment to understanding our city’s needs, challenges, and opportunities, helping themselves. I’ve always been impressed with the amount of compassion and caring in this community. We rise by lifting others up. Janesville proves this daily. And Janesville bounces back. Janesville is reinventing. People are drawn to communities that have preserved a strong sense of historical identity and character. But history shows us that we can’t always do what we did in the past. For the last several years, Forward Janesville has listened to residents’ and property owners’ stories, learning what life has been like and hearing their aspirations for the future. We have to look to the future and continue to make this an attractive place for people to live—one that our children will return to, and then their children after that. There’s a new spark here at present, with many of us looking ahead to build a better, stronger, and more vibrant Janesville. Together, we can be the fuel for reinventing Janesville by supporting projects and plans that include the creation of more jobs, the addition of housing options, heightened economic status, and improved education, health, and well-being. That’s what it means to be part of a community. By leveraging all of our talent and resources, we can propel civic and social responsibility to a level of effectiveness that none of us could ever achieve on our own. Janesville is revitalizing. Like many downtowns, main streets, and city centers, Janesville is undergoing an exciting resurgence. New businesses, restaurants, and shops have opened in areas that were formerly vacant or economically troubled, for example the Bodacious Shops of Block 42, Sandee’s Thai Fusion, Velvet and Tulle Boutique and Lark, just to name a few. This revival presents social and economic opportunity for us as a community. Revitalization can help attract and retain talented people and the companies that want to hire them. Regeneration can make us stand out as a destination to shop, dine, visit, move to, or invest in. Recovery can stir additional support for social services that help take care of our neighbors in need and our most vulnerable citizens. History is fundamental in creating a sense of place and purpose for everyone in our community. For more than 100 years, community partnerships have been at the core of Forward Janesville’s mission and vision as it looks to support economic and community development efforts throughout Janesville and Rock County. But while history lays the groundwork for resilient communities, forward thinking and collaboration set the footings for the reinvention and revitalization that will positively influence future generations. What a privilege it is for all of us to become involved and be able to impact the next 100 years. I’m in. Are you? Show your support! #IAmIn #ForwardJanesville #2018andBeyond