One year ago, Achieve Escambia launched its baseline report. There were 24 pages filled with extensive data, which provided an honest reflection of where our community stood in terms of educational achievement and workforce readiness.

Over the past 12 months, Achieve Escambia has been working hard with our volunteers and partner organizations to break down barriers, increase communication across the community and most importantly align efforts all for the betterment of our young people.

We will celebrate this year’s accomplishments with a Community Report Card Launch Event on Wednesday afternoon, August 29, at 3 p.m. at C.A. Weis Community Partnership School.

At this launch event, we’ll distribute copies of our 2018 report card, which indicates that we, as a community, are doing better, but our mission is far from complete.

Achieve Escambia, and our volunteers and partner organizations, believes in the power of accountability. That’s why we’re releasing our report card. We believe in assessing where we are succeeding and having honest conversations (that lead to action) about where we need to improve.

Our report card provides a trove of data that can help all of us who spend time trying to make a difference in the lives of children, youth and adults. Our data comes from unbiased, external sources as well as from partner organizations who recognize data is a flashlight, not a hammer. This honest assessment can help our community focus on making an impact where it’s needed most.

At Achieve Escambia, we embrace the use of data in three ways: to power the work ahead; to hold each other accountable for the long-term performance and impact of our efforts; and to bring visibility to where we are as a community compared to the state of Florida and the U.S.

From our first days as an organization made up of wonderful people from across this community, we’ve stood by the fact that this is a long-term effort. Substantive change doesn’t come quickly or easily. There is no shortcut to success.

We are laying the foundation for long-term success by setting goals, creating action plans that incorporate input from a diverse representation of our community, and solidifying commitments to prepare more children for school and ensure more young people are ready for success after high school

For those looking in from afar, we hope you will celebrate with us the value of our effort to establish a partnership with C.A. Weis Community Partnership School and join the Florida College Access Network’s campaign.

These aren’t dreams or goals – these are impactful efforts that are making a difference in the lives of young people across our community.

The challenges remain as daunting as ever. But I am more encouraged and optimistic than I was one year ago when we were just getting started with our Baseline Report. I’m optimistic because I see the passion of volunteers who’ve been with us for years, and those who’ve just joined our movement. I’m optimistic because I see our education, business and faith communities investing more time into our work.

Our community is rising to the challenge, and it’s not too late to join our movement. Our children, our neighborhoods and our communities deserve our best effort. No matter your background, you can help ensure everyone in our community can achieve success, cradle to career. Follow us on Facebook to learn more.

Originally published as Guestview column in Pensacola News Journal