Community First Credit Union Social Innovation Learning Lab featuring Gateway Community Services

The Community First Credit Union Learning Lab provides a platform for local nonprofits, funders and stakeholders to learn from two local nonprofits that developed and executed exemplary practices in the areas of Collective Power and Social Innovation. These two organizations also received the 2020 Local Focus. Lasting Impact.™ awards. Using a panel discussion and Q&A format, the Community First Credit Union Learning Labs will shine a light on the decision-making processes that make these programs successful. While each of the programs described are unique to the organizations, the lessons learned are valuable for any organization in the Northeast Florida Nonprofit sector.

2020 Local Focus. Lasting Impact.™ Social Innovation Award Winner: Gateway Community Services

Social Innovation: Piloting a new concept, developing proof of concept, and expanding pilot to full-time service

Participants can expect to learn and discuss …

• How and why to establish a pilot program
• How to communicate about program success to advocate for adoption and expansion in a power imbalance
• How to advocate to decision-makers around sensitive topics and community problems

Come with your questions and ideas!

In 2017, Gateway Community Services developed a unique 6-month pilot program to serve opioid overdose survivors. Through a partnership with St. Vincent’s Hospital in Riverside, Gateway employed peer mentors to provide support and encouragement to overdose survivors in the hospital. After demonstrating success with the opioid overdose pilot program, Gateway continued to seek out additional hospital partners and train peer mentors in recovery from other substance use disorders. The program has now expanded to 7 hospital locations across Northeast Florida, and more than 30 peer mentors are employed through the program.