Each year, members of the Leadership Fargo Moorhead West Fargo class take on a challenge to design and deliver a project that addresses a real need in the community. 

These Community Change Initiatives turn ideas into action, bringing together collaboration, leadership and a shared commitment to leave things better than they were found. 

This year’s projects focus on real challenges across the region, from basic needs and financial stability to youth sports access and community engagement. Together, they show what happens when leadership is put into practice.  

For those considering the program or curious about its impact, here is how this year’s cohort is making a difference. 

Rest Assured Project

Ashley Duchsherer, Sarah Landsem, Sierra Mcfaline, Courtney Montgomery, Bethany Prashek, Kimberly Vosseteig 

Comfort, rest, stability and dignity. Things many of us associate with something as simple as our own bed. Yet for many, access to basic bedding is a real and often overlooked need. The Rest Assured Project set out to bridge that gap by collecting new and gently used bedding through donation drives hosted by generous local businesses, along with an Amazon wish list for requested items.  

With each collection, the team turned community support into tangible comfort. Donations were delivered to Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley, where essentials like blankets, pillows, sheet sets and mattress protectors were distributed to individuals and families in need.  

Thanks to the community’s generosity, many individuals and families were able to choose their own bedding, some for the very first time. 

Thriving Together

Jessica Dunlop, Jenny Johnson, Alyssa Lakosky, Matt Prochniak, Skylar Trebil, Bethany Wall 

Thriving Together was built on the belief that everyone deserves a hand up, bringing the community together to support neighbors transitioning out of homelessness. 

In March, the team hosted their "Thriving Together" event at Churches United’s Bright Sky Apartments, bringing together partners like ND Job Service, the Jeremiah Program and EmPowerHER to provide financial literacy and career resources. Tara Carlson, co-founder of EmPowerHER, shared her story of overcoming adversity and building a path forward. 

Families enjoyed a taco bar hosted by the Fargo Rotary Club, beverages from Caribou Coffee and D-S Beverages, and professional portraits by Geneva Nodland. Children participated in activities with Spread Your Sunshine and received free books from the Great Plains Children's Museum. Residents also received hygiene items, small gifts and other essentials from local partners, Hope Blooms, Marcus Theatres, Brian Mathison Dentistry and the Holiday Inn. 

Beyond the resources, the event created space for people to feel seen, supported and connected to their community. The evening concluded with additional support, including gas and restaurant gift cards to help meet immediate needs. 

Operation Red River Ready

Justine Bahr, Nikki Braaten, Hailey Hoffner, Ann Schneider, Karmen Riley, Jaden Ross

Operation Red River Ready was inspired by a desire to honor the legacy of Taryn Paul, a childhood friend of one of the group members, by helping community members be better prepared for vehicle emergencies. After Taryn tragically passed away in 2017 due to a motor vehicle submersion accident, her family created Taryn’s Trail to share her story and distribute vehicle safety tools throughout their community. 

Their mission is focused on honoring her life by helping others and preventing future tragedy. Building on that mission, this project partners with local businesses and organizations to equip FMWF community members with essential safety tools and increase awareness of vehicle safety preparedness. 

Through this effort, the team continues to carry forward Taryn’s spirit of kindness and her commitment to helping others.  

Play It Forward

Corey Eidem, Collin Johnson, Angie Honzay, Mikayla Young, Jose Zandonadi  

Play It Forward is a community-led initiative dedicated to making sports accessible for every child in the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo area by facilitating the free exchange of gently used equipment. By lowering financial barriers and keeping quality gear out of landfills, the project fosters an inclusive athletic environment where children can try new sports without upfront costs.  

The initiative operates through a digital swap-and-donation space and strategic partnerships with local businesses to host seasonal equipment drives. Its impact was recently demonstrated through a successful collaboration with a local volleyball camp, where the team served approximately 50 families and distributed the majority of their collected inventory.  

By combining social media outreach with community events, Play It Forward is building a self-sustaining system that supports the next generation of local athletes. 

Healthy Family Meals for Busy Families

Brian Larson, Erin Larsgaard, Nate Olson, Charlie Perhus, Anthony Sommerfeld  

The Healthy Family Meals initiative focuses on making nutritious, affordable cooking more accessible for busy families through simple, practical tools that fit everyday life. The project centers on a booklet featuring ten easy, budget-friendly recipes and a sample meal plan to help families maximize ingredients, reduce waste and simplify grocery shopping. 

The guide also includes helpful cooking tips, meal-planning guidance and a local resources page connecting families in the Fargo–Moorhead area with food assistance and support services. By distributing the booklet through food pantries, nonprofits and digital access, the initiative is intended to reach families where they are and provide practical support they can use right away. 

The project is built on the idea that healthy eating can be simple, affordable and a way to bring families together. 

Volley4All

Mariah Bates, Lana Goodijohn, Mikaela Hestdalen, Jarod Meyer, Allison Pillar, Chelsey Stoa 

The average family now spends over $1,000 per child each year on their primary sport, a cost that continues to rise as athletes are expected to invest in quality equipment, attend camps, and train year-round to stay competitive. These financial barriers limit access for many young athletes who want the opportunity to play and grow. 

Volley4All was created to change that. This free, inclusive volleyball camp offered a safe, supportive, and fun environment for boys and girls in grades 4–7. Each camper not only gained foundational volleyball skills, but also left with their own volleyball, along with increased confidence and a sense of belonging. 

Financial Education Project

Menley Denham, Casondra Duckworth, Gail Jacobson, Jessica Mears, John Morrison 

Finances can be stressful. This team led a session on income, bills and prioritizing payments for participants at YWCA’s Grace Garden and supported the Thriving Together event at Bright Sky Apartments by providing workbooks for attendees.  

The interactive discussion encouraged participants to share strategies and work through income and expense calendars to better align their finances. Each participant left with a workbook they can use to manage their finances each month. 

The team plans to continue offering these sessions to support ongoing financial confidence and stability. 

 

These projects demonstrate how leadership takes shape through action, collaboration and a willingness to step forward when it matters. 

That is the impact of Leadership FMWF.