LIFT JAX – Uniting Systems for Cradle-to-Career Education

In the heart of Jacksonville’s Historic Eastside, LIFT JAX faced a tall order: bridging community aspirations with a large urban school district often wary of new initiatives. Their goal? A bold Cradle-to-Career education strategy that could improve outcomes for students living in generational poverty. But navigating shifting district leadership, initiative fatigue, and institutional distrust required more than just good intentions—it required a skilled translator and systems-level strategist.

Wirth Works stepped in to design a Strategic Priority Plan that balanced ambition with reality. We built trust across the table, gathering district feedback and community insight to ensure the final plan was embraced—not shelved. The result was a mutually agreed-upon roadmap with clear funding commitments, early success on KPIs, and new supports in place for students.