Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Starting in 2017, Better Together Winchester – a local organization that seeks to find ways to serve the community – began meeting.

On Monday night, for only the third time since the COVID pandemic hit, the group met up in person at First Baptist Church off Highland St. in Winchester

“I feel like this group can offer input,” said Rita Rowady.

Better Together Winchester started its mission when – after attending an Innovator’s Workshop sponsored by the Harwood Institute – individuals formed up with the goal in mind to provide resources, hope, and a number of other virtues throughout the community to make positive change.

Previously, the group has taught DEI (Diversity Equity, and Inclusion) training with the goal of raising social awareness.

Also, in prior years the group managed candidate forums during local elections/

At Monday’s meeting, the group discussed joining the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce, and working towards a similar role in  the upcoming 2022 elections involving the races for mayor, judge executives, city commissioner, PVA, jailer, county clerk, magistrates, and more.

The group also discussed alternative options around town to buy produce and other goods.

“I can’t tell you the number of people I work with who shop at [convenience stores],” said Sabrina Puckett. “I think we have to look at the fact that that’s not providing people with adequate nutrition.”

One idea in mind toward serving this overall goal has been to partner with other organizations such as The Homeless Coalition and SavAlot.

Better Together Winchester also seeks to engage with the community, often through diverse representation.

“We’ve got to have others involved to help them find what they want,” said Rhonda Gould. “We have to get people integrate so that they know people care.”

The group hopes to continue meeting on the fourth Monday of every month, with the next scheduled date being July 25 at 5:30 p.m.