Written by Tanya Terry, with photos of vision board events at Swayze and Oak Street Jan 16, 2025 provided by Communities First
You may have set new year’s resolutions you are hoping to keep, or you may have already experienced a setback in reaching one or more goals. Perhaps you haven’t had a chance to think about your intentions for 2026 at all. In any case, attending Communities First, Inc.’s (CFI’s) Community Vision Board Party may prove to be both fun and beneficial!
Those who attend will receive guidance on creating a vision board, with provided materials or materials they bring themselves, and will be able to enjoy pizza, salad, cookies and water.
“Getting together with your community and planning is just going to set you up for the future to make the year a lot easier for you,” Walker added. “You might want to just sit back and think about what that looks like. A lot of times we don’t have the time to kind of take the time to reflect. So, this is an opportunity to do that. But, what’s better is you can do it with your neighbor. You can do it with some of the people in your community”
Walker continued: “The best thing about putting your head together with other people is you come up with ideas that you haven’t thought about. Maybe they have different methods or tactics to get ahead for the year.
“So, it’s very important when talking about succeeding in life and being happy with where you want to be.”
Neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart states the brain has a process called “value tagging,” which prioritizes images over written lists. She says repeatedly viewing images on a vision board imprints the images on the subconscious. This can prime the brain to notice opportunities that could otherwise not be noticed.
Sill, Walker pointed out that many people in the Flint community have never taken the time out to make a vision board.
“Our brains are wired so once we write things down or see things written down, it’s a different process. The whole proces of writing, or creating or anything that deals with the right side of the brain, it helps us establish a routine. It help you create that momentum and focus that you need to get through.”
According to Walker, by creating these safe spaces for community to build, grow and communicate, Communities First, Inc. is fullfilling its mission of building a healthy environment for community.
Walker was able to lead the Communities First Vision Board Party last year. He said Communities First kept in contact with those who attended the Vision Board Party last year.
“To see it last year was very heartwarming. It’s very good to know that people are setting expectations for themselves, putting themselves in the position to win and supporting each other as well…One lady wanted to start her farm. Another lady wanted to be financially in a better position. Sometimes those are things Communities First can help out with. When we talk about providing resources to your community, it’s always good to listen to what the community is saying.”
Communities First is providing materials for the event in order to take away barriers so everyone has an opportunity to set goals in this way.
“We will have everything from magazines, to stickers. We have scissors, glue, tape you can use is you’re allergic to glue, crayons, markers, pens and everything you can think of when it comes to scrapbooking and creating that vision board. We even bring food because creativity just can’t survive being hungry.”
Music playing in the background will even help uplift attendees’ moods.
Chase for Business helps sponsor the event.
“We couldn’t provide this event to the community for free. So, we are very thankful to them for that.”
Walker emphasized that everyone who attended the Communities First Vision Board Party last year had a great time, and he said many who attended have registered for this year’s party, with some of them returning with others as guests.
“It’s definitely not an opportunity you want to miss. Bring your friends. Bring your family. Planning as a unit, as a team, is a lot easier with people who can hold you accountable.”
There is no cost for community members to attend the party, but pre-registration is requested at tinyurl.com/CFIVBP25.
