When we better understand our community, we can better serve our community.
That belief is at the heart of Vital Signs, Cobb Community Foundation’s ongoing community data initiative designed to help Cobb County better understand local needs and identify opportunities for collective action.
Vital Signs brings together data, community perspectives, and local expertise to help nonprofits, donors, businesses, policymakers, academics, and community leaders better understand where needs exist and where collaboration can make the greatest difference.
Since launching this initiative, Cobb Community Foundation has continued sharing insights from this important work through updates. Now, two recent podcast episodes featuring our Director of Programs, Lisa-Ruth Karnes, offer an opportunity to hear more about early findings, the questions they raise, and how our community can use this information to create meaningful change.
Exploring Early Findings About Cobb’s Most Pressing Issues
In the latest episode of North Fulton Voices, hosted by Jack Murphy and Kathy Swahn, Lisa-Ruth discusses how Vital Signs helps move conversations beyond assumptions and toward a deeper understanding of what families in our community are experiencing.
The conversation explores early findings from Vital Signs and how interconnected issues—including housing, transportation, food access, caregiving, and social connection—shape the quality of life for Cobb County residents.
Lisa-Ruth also shares insights on workforce housing and how data can help communities move from awareness to action.
Listen to the episode here.
Building Healthier, More Connected Communities
Lisa-Ruth also joined Irene Barton, Executive Director of Cobb Collaborative, on the latest episode of Mind Your Mind Speaks (Season 6, Episode 10) for a conversation about Vital Signs, the importance of building a shared understanding, community partnerships, and using information as a tool to improve the lives of Cobb County residents.
Listen to the episode here.
Turning Insight Into Action
Vital Signs is more than a collection of data points—it is a tool to help our community ask better questions, identify opportunities, and work together toward solutions.
Whether you are a nonprofit seeking to better understand community needs, a donor looking to align your giving with local priorities, a business leader interested in community impact, a policymaker shaping decisions, an academic exploring research opportunities, or a member of the media covering Cobb County, Vital Signs offers a shared foundation for collaboration.
We invite you to explore the findings, join the conversation, and connect with Cobb Community Foundation to learn how you can be part of the next chapter of this work.
Learn more about Vital Signs and explore the latest updates here.
