In October, Project One Health JAX hosted a dynamic and energizing World Café event, bringing together Advisory Council members, community leaders, nonprofit partners, funders, and elected officials to explore the next phase of neighborhood-based work. 

A World Café is a conversation format where participants break into small groups and rotate between tables or rooms, hearing brief overviews and then diving into focused discussion at each stop. It’s designed to spark learning, surface ideas, and build practical next steps quickly.

Lead organizations presented detailed plans for the urban core neighborhoods of Jacksonville that are part of the One Health Urban Zone: Brentwood, Eastside, New Town, and Springfield. They also shared early progress updates from community engagement and program development. From outdoor learning clubs to urban gardening, cultural programming to youth-driven nature exploration, the presentations highlighted a diverse and powerful set of strategies already taking root.

Following the presentations, attendees rotated through three breakout sessions for deeper dialogue with neighborhood leads. These collaborative conversations gave participants the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and explore ways to accelerate impact and remove barriers to success. Many participants offered to make linekey introductions, provide technical support, or help champion the work within their networks.

World Cafe participants discussed ideas and questions in a smaller group.

The room buzzed with enthusiasm, and attendees left feeling hopeful and energized. Comments like “This is so wonderful,” “Great work,” and “I can’t wait to see how this progresses” captured the spirit of the day.

“It’s inspiring to see so many local leaders come together, not just to learn about the work, but to actively move it forward,” said Sylia Obagi, CEO of the Winston Family Foundation. “This event demonstrates the power of community-driven collaboration—and how we can collectively support the well-being of Jacksonville’s youth and families by reducing screen time and increasing meaningful access to nature.”

Project One Health JAX is a place-based initiative focused on reducing harmful screen time and restoring the connection between people and nature so that children, families, and communities can thrive together. Led by the Winston Family Foundation, the effort is investing in neighborhood-based programs and system-level strategies to promote healthier, more connected lifestyles. The work is centered in four of Jacksonville’s urban core neighborhoods—Brentwood, Eastside, New Town, and Springfield—and engages dozens of cross-sector partners in reimagining public spaces, improving access to nature, and supporting youth development.

As implementation continues, the World Café stands as another powerful example of what’s possible when cross-sector leaders come together with a shared commitment: helping Jacksonville’s children, families, and neighborhoods flourish through deeper connections to nature and less time tethered to screens.