Every changemaker knows the challenge of working in isolation—of trying to move the needle on urgent issues with too few resources, too little time, and not nearly enough connection.
That’s why Sidewalk Sessions aren’t just another feature of a mySidewalk subscription. They’re a cornerstone of something deeper: a growing community of people who care about places—and who are committed to building them better, together.
What’s a Sidewalk Session?
Sidewalk Sessions are live, virtual events that bring mySidewalk customers together across geographies and sectors. They’re not webinars. They’re not trainings. They’re gatherings—places to swap stories, share challenges, ask questions, and get inspired by how others are turning data into meaningful change.
Our most recent session, “How 2 Public Health Agencies Turn Data into Action,” was held by health professionals from Kentucky to Texas who are doing just that. But more importantly, it gave them—and everyone in the (virtual) room—a chance to feel less alone in the work.
A Tale of Two Communities
The Power of One Good Question
It all started with a simple question: “Can we use data to support this community garden grant?”
Caree Lookabill from Lincoln Trail District Health Department shared how her team used mySidewalk’s data assistant, Sidekick, to find and layer key indicators—food access, heart disease, and obesity—to identify exactly where gardens would have the greatest impact. What used to take days of data digging? Done in minutes.
Caree's partners didn’t just win the grant—they built five gardens across three counties, launched a school garden program, and even created recipe cards to connect kids and families to healthier habits.
From 2 Weeks to 2 Hours: A Reporting Revolution
At San Antonio Metro Health Department, the performance improvement team had a different challenge: internal performance reporting was time-intensive and, frankly, not very engaging.
By switching from a legacy system to a custom DIY dashboard built in mySidewalk, they slashed their reporting time from up to two weeks down to just a few hours. They now track 237 performance measures, complete with charts, team photos, and clickable PDFs—an internal tool that supports more than 650 staff members.
But perhaps the most powerful shift wasn’t technical—it was cultural. “Staff didn’t always know how their work contributed to our bigger mission,” Amanda Manzello shared. “Now, they can see their data, their goals, and their impact, all in one place.”
From Insight to Action—and Shared Experience
Caree's ability to fulfill a data request blossomed into a multi-county project. But what resonated just as much was her openness in sharing the “messy middle”—the real-time decisions, the deadline pressures, and the partnerships that made it all work.
In San Antonio, Amanda and Tina Lopez, the county's Data Analytics and Modernization Manager, overhauled how over staff understand their work—and each other. But what stood out even more was this: staff who never saw themselves in the data now feel like they’re part of something bigger.
These stories may come from different corners of the country and focus on different goals, but their common ground is unmistakable. Both teams turned to mySidewalk as their place for data—to access the data they need, build engaging and accessible stories, and most importantly, collaborate. Whether it’s aligning with external partners on a grant project or creating clarity and connection among internal teams, mySidewalk served as a shared foundation.
The details may differ, but the journeys are often the same.
The Real Value? Belonging.
We know changemaking can feel like an uphill climb, even with mySidewalk's easy-to-use, time-savings tools. That’s why Sidewalk Sessions are designed to be more than informational—they’re intentional spaces for connection. They’re where:
- A data analyst in a small rural district feels seen by a peer in a large metro department.
- A public health leader discovers a new way to visualize community need.
- A first-time user asks a question that sparks a better answer for everyone.
These aren’t isolated moments—they’re shared progress. And they speak to the true power of the mySidewalk platform: not just what it can do, but what we can do together.
"Sidewalk Sessions are about building those connections—across geography, experience, and mission."
Maggie Kauffman
Director of Customer Experience
Every mySidewalk subscription includes access to Sidewalk Sessions because we believe no one should have to solve complex problems alone. These sessions reflect our mission: to amplify the impact of people who care deeply about their communities, not just with data tools, but with a network of others doing the same.
As Maggie Kauffman, our Director of Customer Experience, reminded us:
“We’re here to be that bridge. Sidewalk Sessions are about building those connections—across geography, experience, and mission.”
Sharing the Gift of Dashboard Generation
Democratizing access to data and inspiring Changemakers is core to our mission here at mySidewalk. In addition to opportunities for genuine conversations, we are always looking for ways to extend insights.
Our Health & Wellbeing Generator is a free tool that does just that. The Generator makes it easy for anyone to request a dashboard full of impactful data, visualizations, and contextual narratives—on demand.
It's simple.
- Search for your geography
- Choose your geographic granularity
- Select up to two comparison geographies
- Click "Generate"
Want to try it out? Generate Your Dashboard
Ready to Join the Conversation?
If you’re a public servant, nonprofit leader, or anyone trying to build a better community with data, we hope you’ll join us.
Because every community needs a place to come together.
This is yours.
No Comments Yet
Let us know what you think