THE MAGNOLIA PROJECT
  The Magnolia Project is a federal Healthy Start initiative intended to decrease the high rates of infant mortality in an area of Jacksonville most affected by this problem. The population served by Magnolia consists of women of child bearing age who reside in the target area and who have little or no regular access to health care. Magnolia provides services for this population in a store-front clinic located in the heart of the target area. The services include: 1) well-woman medical services, and 2) intensive case management consisting of counseling and referrals for services to local agencies. CCI's responsibilities include: 1) conducting interviews, focus groups and surveys with key stakeholders, 2) coordinating data collection by project staff, 3) performing data analysis, and 4) preparing progress reports for funding agency and community partners.
 
 
STUDY CIRCLE IMPACT
  The Study Circle process, an initiative of The Jacksonville Human rights Commission (JHRC), involves diverse groups of ordinary citizens talking about the state of race relations in their community and in their own lives.  For a total of five weeks, these groups are lead by facilitators in discussions focused on the “stories” of each participant.  The overall goal, according JHRC, is for the participant to “begin to understand how people of another race, gender, religion, age or sexual orientation see the world.”  This initiative was made possible by a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund.

The Northeast Florida Center for Community Initiatives at the University of North Florida (CCI), in assistance to JHRC, was enlisted to assess the Study Circles and to examine how participants’ perceptions of race relations were effected by their participation.  The participants were asked questions about race relations in respect to Jacksonville and about their own personal experiences, understandings, interactions, and attitudes towards diverse groups. Below we briefly outline the approach to carry out this assessment.
 
 
THE ANNUAL HOMELESS CENSUS AND SURVEY
  The Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of Jacksonville (ESHC) conducts an annual census and survey of the sheltered and unsheltered homeless population in Duval County . The data obtained is used for procuring Federal and other external funding to provide services for the homeless. For several years, CCI has coordinated the survey component of the project with sheltered homeless individuals. Hundreds of UNF faculty, staff, and students, as well as other community members have been involved in and enriched by the project over the years. Once the census and survey data has been collected by the ESHC and the volunteers, CCI analyzes the data and provides a comprehensive report to the ESHC and the community.
 
 
PROJECT PREPARE
  Project Prepare is an independent living program serving homeless youth, ages 16-21. The goal of the program is to transition each youth from a state of homelessness to that of economic independence. CCI will provide consultation and conduct face to face interviews with past and current participants. After analysis of the data, a manuscript of the findings will be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed academic journal.
 
 
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE ARTS IN JACKSONVILLE
  In order to investigate the economic impact of arts and culture in the greater Jacksonville area, the Northeast Florida Center for Community Initiatives, at the request of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, is conducting an economic impact study of a number of cultural organizations located within Duval County. These organizations provide data about their operations, such as how many employees they have, how much income they generate and how income is used.

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