Our Approach: Building Healthier, More Equitable Communities
At Social Innovation Laboratory (SIL), our mission is to drive community-led change through partnerships and research to build equitable, innovative, and sustainable systems. To stay grounded in that mission, we use two proven frameworks that guide everything we do:
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The Danaher Framework
This framework shows how community organizations like SIL reduce health disparities by building trust, providing services, and mobilizing residents to create change. It also highlights the broader systems—like policies, economics, and community conditions—that shape people’s health and opportunities.
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The Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)
The SDoH remind us that health is shaped by everyday conditions such as jobs, education, housing, safety, and social connections. These are the building blocks of a healthy life, and they help us see where support and opportunity are most needed.
How SIL Uses These Frameworks
We weave these two frameworks together to guide our programs:
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Voices at the Table brings residents together to co-create a shared vision for Wichita’s future.
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That Pop-Up Restaurant addresses food insecurity and strengthen community connections.
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Kansas Better Futures Project equips youth to lead and pursue pathways toward brighter futures.
By combining immediate supports with long-term change, our approach ensures SIL’s programs meet today’s needs while tackling the root causes of inequity. In short: our frameworks help us turn vision into action—creating healthier, more connected, and more equitable communities for all of Wichita.