Year over year, Flourish is proud to be part of Leadership Greater Huntsville’s Connect Program. This ten-month experience brings emerging leaders together to learn, grow, and give back to the Rocket City. This year, Flourish Account Manager Gracie is representing our team as a member of Connect Class 28.
Throughout the program, she’ll be sharing her perspective and monthly reflections to highlight what she’s learning and how each experience is shaping her as a leader.
So with that, let’s jump in!
- August- Opening Retreat
- September- Human Services Day
- October- Public Service Day
- November- Health and Wellness Day
AUGUST
Opening Retreat
Our Opening Retreat began at City Hall with lunch, introductions, and an overview of the program. The highlight was a name game where each of us paired an adjective with our first name, a difficult yet effective way to start learning 50+ new faces. Later, we hit the streets of downtown Huntsville for a scavenger hunt, which turned out to be the perfect mix of competition, teamwork, and connection. Alumni reminded us that the more we invest now, the greater the impact will be, which is advice I’m keeping top of mind as the year unfolds.
Day two focused on self-awareness and understanding others. Jillian Miles Massey shared insights on communication, followed by a personality exercise that grouped us by style and showed how our differences complement one another. The most powerful moment came during the “step forward” game, where we acknowledged the diverse experiences and perspectives that shape who we are. It was challenging, but it created an immediate bond within the class. We also formed our small groups and learned about our service projects, which I’m ecstatic to share more about!
I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of Connect Class 28. Over the months ahead, I look forward to building meaningful relationships, gaining new perspectives, and discovering even more about my community!
SEPTEMBER
Human Services Day
Our first program day with Connect Class 28 was Human Services Day, and it left a lasting impression. The day was designed to give us a deeper understanding of the challenges many in our community face, as well as the nonprofits and organizations working every day to meet those needs.
We began at the Downtown Rescue Mission with a panel of local leaders, then stepped into the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS). In this exercise, each of us assumed the role of someone living in poverty and attempted to navigate daily life, from paying bills to accessing transportation and caring for family members, all on limited resources.
What struck me most was how quickly small setbacks snowballed into overwhelming barriers. Even when resources technically existed, time, transportation, or lack of information often kept families from accessing them. The simulation underscored how easy it is to fall behind and how difficult it is to break cycles of poverty. It was a humbling, eye-opening reminder that empathy and understanding must guide our leadership.
Next, we visited Merrimack in Owens Cross Roads, known as the happiest place in Huntsville. Merrimack provides visual and performing arts education and cultural activities. I had the privilege of joining their arts and crafts session and was immediately welcomed by Sarah, a student celebrating her 26th birthday, who made the experience especially memorable. From crafts to karaoke, the visit highlighted the joy and sense of belonging that Merrimack provides its students.
We closed the day with a panel of nonprofit leaders connected to our class service projects. My small group will be partnering with the Community Free Dental Clinic to help refresh one of their spaces, and I’m eager to get started on that work.
Human Services Day reminded me how easy it is to stay in our own bubbles and how important it is to step outside them. I’m grateful for the chance to experience these realities firsthand, and I look forward to building relationships and finding ways to serve alongside my classmates as we continue our journey through Connect.
OCTOBER
Public Service Day
Our second program day focused on Public Safety, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the first responders who keep our community safe every day.
We began the morning at the Huntsville Fire and Police Training Academy, where we heard from members of both departments before touring their training facilities. I was surprised to learn that nearly 80% of firefighters are volunteers, which was an incredible reminder of how much these men and women give of themselves in service to others. We watched live training exercises, learned about their rapid response processes, and even got to try on the heavy gear they wear in extreme heat.
In the afternoon, we shifted to law enforcement and emergency response. Through interactive sessions, we explored everything from mental health support for first responders to SWAT demonstrations, ambulance operations, and the technology used in 911 dispatch. One of the most eye-opening experiences was participating in a police training simulation, where we had to make real-time decisions in unpredictable situations. It was an intense reminder of how quickly moments unfold and the split-second judgment calls that officers must make. We ended the day with the K-9 unit, meeting two dogs and their handlers and watching a demonstration that showed just how disciplined, intelligent, and excited these dogs are to serve.
Public Safety Day gave me a new level of appreciation for the people who protect Huntsville. Their teamwork, discipline, and courage are unmatched, and it’s clear that we’re fortunate to live in a city with such dedicated first responders.
I left the day full of gratitude for their service and for the opportunity through Connect to better understand the people and systems that keep our community safe.
NOVEMBER
Health and Wellness Day
Health and Wellness Day was an energizing and eye-opening look at the many ways Huntsville supports the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of its residents.
We started at the Johnson Legacy Center, a revitalized space that once housed Johnson High School and now serves as a vibrant community hub. The facility features volleyball and pickleball courts, a rock-climbing wall, a gym, walking trails, and outdoor recreation areas, all designed to be accessible and affordable. We even got to play volleyball for a while during lunch, which was my favorite part of the day!
After a small-group check-in, we heard from Dr. Jacqueline Green, a cardiologist with Huntsville Hospital, who shared insight into heart health and the importance of movement in everyday life. From there, we learned about our region’s food systems and local agriculture through speakers representing the American Soybean Association and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, which served as a fascinating reminder of how deeply connected our health is to the food we grow and the people who produce it.
The afternoon focused on the broad range of health and wellness resources available in North Alabama. We heard from representatives at Thrive Alabama, The Club of Mindfulness, and the City of Huntsville’s wellness program, as well as experts from WellStone, Huntsville Hospital, and Crestwood Medical Center. Each organization plays a unique role in ensuring our community’s well-being, proving that a healthy city depends on collaboration, not competition.
My group toured the Women & Children’s Center at Huntsville Hospital, where we saw labor and delivery rooms, the NICU, and learned about the therapy dogs who comfort patients and staff. It was an awesome and assuring experience, as a future mom, that sparked my own interest in volunteering as a “cuddler” for newborns in the NICU.
We wrapped up the day back at the Johnson Legacy Center with discussions on how to get more involved from supporting local health initiatives to simply taking advantage of Huntsville’s incredible parks, greenways, and recreation facilities.
So far, Health & Wellness Day has been my favorite. I feel inspired to contribute to increasing the lifespan of Alabamians, which is one of the lowest in the nation. From walking the Green Ways to attending the upcoming Pig Squeal, I learned so much about my community’s wellness resources and ways to get involved and support local farmers. I’m grateful for the people who dedicate their careers to caring for others, and for the vibrant, health-minded community we’re lucky to call home.
