diff --git a/config/database.yml b/config/database.yml
index 8329cfdaa..7461316cf 100644
--- a/config/database.yml
+++ b/config/database.yml
@@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
-base: &base
-  encoding: utf8
-  url: <%= ENV.fetch("DATABASE_URL", "trilogy://root@localhost") %>
+default: &default
+  adapter: trilogy
+  encoding: utf8mb4           # <-- forces UTF-8 everywhere
+  collation: utf8mb4_unicode_ci  # <-- portable across MySQL 5.7/8.0 and MariaDB
+  pool: <%= ENV.fetch("RAILS_MAX_THREADS", 5) %>
+  user: root
+  password:
+  host: 127.0.0.1
+  variables:
+    # Make sure the session uses utf8mb4 too:
+    collation_connection: utf8mb4_unicode_ci
+    sql_mode: STRICT_ALL_TABLES
 
 development:
-  <<: *base
-  pool: 5
+  <<: *default
   database: awbw_development
 
-# Warning: The database defined as "test" will be erased and
-# re-generated from your development database when you run "rake".
-# Do not set this db to the same as development or production.
 test:
-  <<: *base
-  pool: 5
+  <<: *default
   database: awbw_test
-
-production:
-  <<: *base
diff --git a/db/migrate/20250914143038_fix_charset_and_collation.rb b/db/migrate/20250914143038_fix_charset_and_collation.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6856b54d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20250914143038_fix_charset_and_collation.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+class FixCharsetAndCollation < ActiveRecord::Migration[8.1]
+  DB = ActiveRecord::Base.connection_db_config.database
+  TARGET = "utf8mb4"
+  COLL = "utf8mb4_unicode_ci"
+
+  def up
+    execute "ALTER DATABASE `#{DB}` CHARACTER SET #{TARGET} COLLATE #{COLL}"
+    tables.each do |t|
+      execute "ALTER TABLE `#{t}` CONVERT TO CHARACTER SET #{TARGET} COLLATE #{COLL}"
+    end
+  end
+
+  def down
+    # no-op (irreversible)
+  end
+
+  private
+
+  def tables
+    ActiveRecord::Base.connection.tables - ["schema_migrations", "ar_internal_metadata"]
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/schema.rb b/db/schema.rb
index 223820a45..71c5b4852 100644
--- a/db/schema.rb
+++ b/db/schema.rb
@@ -10,26 +10,25 @@
 #
 # It's strongly recommended that you check this file into your version control system.
 
-ActiveRecord::Schema.define(version: 2025_09_13_171135) do
-
-  create_table "addresses", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.bigint "organization_id", null: false
-    t.string "street", null: false
+ActiveRecord::Schema[8.1].define(version: 2025_09_14_143038) do
+  create_table "addresses", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "city", null: false
-    t.string "state", null: false
-    t.string "zip", null: false
     t.string "country"
-    t.string "locality"
     t.string "county"
+    t.datetime "created_at", null: false
     t.integer "la_city_council_district"
-    t.integer "la_supervisorial_district"
     t.integer "la_service_planning_area"
-    t.datetime "created_at", precision: 6, null: false
-    t.datetime "updated_at", precision: 6, null: false
+    t.integer "la_supervisorial_district"
+    t.string "locality"
+    t.bigint "organization_id", null: false
+    t.string "state", null: false
+    t.string "street", null: false
+    t.datetime "updated_at", null: false
+    t.string "zip", null: false
     t.index ["organization_id"], name: "index_addresses_on_organization_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "admins", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "admins", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil
     t.datetime "current_sign_in_at", precision: nil
     t.string "current_sign_in_ip"
@@ -48,7 +47,7 @@
     t.index ["reset_password_token"], name: "index_admins_on_reset_password_token", unique: true
   end
 
-  create_table "age_ranges", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "age_ranges", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -56,14 +55,14 @@
     t.index ["windows_type_id"], name: "index_age_ranges_on_windows_type_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "answer_options", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "answer_options", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name"
     t.integer "order"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "attachments", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "attachments", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "file_content_type"
     t.string "file_file_name"
@@ -74,14 +73,14 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "banners", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "banners", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.text "content"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.boolean "show"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "bookmark_annotations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "bookmark_annotations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.text "annotation", size: :medium
     t.integer "bookmark_id"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -89,7 +88,7 @@
     t.index ["bookmark_id"], name: "index_bookmark_annotations_on_bookmark_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "bookmarks", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "bookmarks", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "bookmarkable_id"
     t.string "bookmarkable_type"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -98,7 +97,7 @@
     t.index ["user_id"], name: "index_bookmarks_on_user_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "categories", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "categories", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
     t.integer "metadatum_id"
@@ -108,7 +107,7 @@
     t.index ["metadatum_id"], name: "index_categories_on_metadatum_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "categorizable_items", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "categorizable_items", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "categorizable_id"
     t.string "categorizable_type"
     t.integer "category_id"
@@ -119,7 +118,7 @@
     t.index ["category_id"], name: "index_categorizable_items_on_category_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "ckeditor_assets", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "ckeditor_assets", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "actual_url"
     t.integer "assetable_id"
     t.string "assetable_type", limit: 30
@@ -135,7 +134,7 @@
     t.index ["assetable_type", "type", "assetable_id"], name: "idx_ckeditor_assetable_type"
   end
 
-  create_table "event_registrations", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "event_registrations", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
     t.string "email"
     t.bigint "event_id"
@@ -145,9 +144,9 @@
     t.index ["event_id"], name: "index_event_registrations_on_event_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "events", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "events", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
-    t.text "description"
+    t.text "description", size: :medium
     t.datetime "end_date", precision: nil
     t.boolean "publicly_visible", default: false, null: false
     t.datetime "registration_close_date", precision: nil
@@ -156,17 +155,17 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "facilitator_organizations", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "facilitator_organizations", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+    t.datetime "created_at", null: false
     t.bigint "facilitator_id", null: false
     t.bigint "organization_id", null: false
-    t.datetime "created_at", precision: 6, null: false
-    t.datetime "updated_at", precision: 6, null: false
+    t.datetime "updated_at", null: false
     t.index ["facilitator_id", "organization_id"], name: "index_facilitator_organizations_on_ids", unique: true
     t.index ["facilitator_id"], name: "index_facilitator_organizations_on_facilitator_id"
     t.index ["organization_id"], name: "index_facilitator_organizations_on_organization_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "facilitators", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "facilitators", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "city", null: false
     t.string "country", null: false
     t.datetime "created_at", null: false
@@ -183,7 +182,7 @@
     t.string "zip", null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "faqs", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "faqs", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.text "answer", size: :medium
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.boolean "inactive"
@@ -192,7 +191,7 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "footers", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "footers", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "adult_program"
     t.string "children_program"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -201,7 +200,7 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "form_builders", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "form_builders", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.text "description", size: :medium
     t.string "name"
@@ -211,7 +210,7 @@
     t.index ["windows_type_id"], name: "index_form_builders_on_windows_type_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "form_field_answer_options", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "form_field_answer_options", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "answer_option_id"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "form_field_id"
@@ -220,7 +219,7 @@
     t.index ["form_field_id"], name: "index_form_field_answer_options_on_form_field_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "form_fields", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "form_fields", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "answer_datatype"
     t.integer "answer_type"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -235,7 +234,7 @@
     t.index ["form_id"], name: "index_form_fields_on_form_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "forms", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "forms", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "form_builder_id"
     t.integer "owner_id"
@@ -244,7 +243,7 @@
     t.index ["form_builder_id"], name: "index_forms_on_form_builder_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "images", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "images", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "file_content_type"
     t.string "file_file_name"
@@ -257,7 +256,7 @@
     t.index ["owner_id"], name: "index_images_on_owner_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "locations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "locations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "city"
     t.string "country"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -265,7 +264,7 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "media_files", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "media_files", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "file_content_type"
     t.string "file_file_name"
     t.integer "file_file_size"
@@ -274,7 +273,7 @@
     t.integer "workshop_log_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "metadata", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "metadata", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "legacy_id"
     t.string "name"
@@ -282,7 +281,7 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "monthly_reports", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "monthly_reports", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "best_call_time"
     t.boolean "call_requested"
     t.text "comments", size: :medium
@@ -305,7 +304,7 @@
     t.index ["project_user_id"], name: "index_monthly_reports_on_project_user_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "notifications", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "notifications", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "noticeable_id"
     t.string "noticeable_type"
@@ -313,41 +312,41 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "organizations", charset: "utf8mb3", force: :cascade do |t|
-    t.string "name", null: false
-    t.boolean "is_active", default: true
-    t.date "start_date"
-    t.date "close_date"
-    t.string "website_url"
+  create_table "organizations", charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "agency_type", null: false
     t.string "agency_type_other"
+    t.date "close_date"
+    t.datetime "created_at", null: false
+    t.boolean "is_active", default: true
+    t.text "mission", size: :medium
+    t.string "name", null: false
     t.string "phone", null: false
-    t.text "mission"
     t.string "project_id"
-    t.datetime "created_at", precision: 6, null: false
-    t.datetime "updated_at", precision: 6, null: false
+    t.date "start_date"
+    t.datetime "updated_at", null: false
+    t.string "website_url"
   end
 
-  create_table "permissions", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "permissions", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
     t.string "security_cat"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "project_obligations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "project_obligations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "project_statuses", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "project_statuses", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "project_users", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "project_users", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "agency_id"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "filemaker_code"
@@ -360,7 +359,7 @@
     t.index ["user_id"], name: "index_project_users_on_user_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "projects", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "projects", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.text "description", size: :medium
     t.string "district"
@@ -382,7 +381,7 @@
     t.index ["windows_type_id"], name: "index_projects_on_windows_type_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "quotable_item_quotes", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "quotable_item_quotes", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
     t.integer "quotable_id"
@@ -392,7 +391,7 @@
     t.index ["quote_id"], name: "index_quotable_item_quotes_on_quote_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "quotes", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "quotes", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "age"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "gender", limit: 1
@@ -406,7 +405,7 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_quotes_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "report_form_field_answers", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "report_form_field_answers", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.text "answer", size: :medium
     t.integer "answer_option_id"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil
@@ -418,7 +417,7 @@
     t.index ["report_id"], name: "index_report_form_field_answers_on_report_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "reports", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "reports", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "adults_first_time", default: 0
     t.integer "adults_ongoing", default: 0
     t.integer "children_first_time", default: 0
@@ -448,7 +447,7 @@
     t.index ["windows_type_id"], name: "index_reports_on_windows_type_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "resources", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "resources", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "agency"
     t.string "author"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -473,7 +472,7 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_resources_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "sectorable_items", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "sectorable_items", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.boolean "inactive", default: true
     t.integer "sector_id"
@@ -483,14 +482,14 @@
     t.index ["sector_id"], name: "index_sectorable_items_on_sector_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "sectors", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "sectors", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.string "name"
     t.boolean "published", default: false
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "user_form_form_fields", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "user_form_form_fields", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "form_field_id"
     t.text "text", size: :medium
@@ -500,7 +499,7 @@
     t.index ["user_form_id"], name: "index_user_form_form_fields_on_user_form_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "user_forms", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "user_forms", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "form_id"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -509,7 +508,7 @@
     t.index ["user_id"], name: "index_user_forms_on_user_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "user_permissions", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "user_permissions", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "permission_id"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -518,7 +517,7 @@
     t.index ["user_id"], name: "index_user_permissions_on_user_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "users", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "users", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.string "address"
     t.string "address2"
     t.integer "agency_id"
@@ -567,7 +566,7 @@
     t.index ["reset_password_token"], name: "index_users_on_reset_password_token", unique: true
   end
 
-  create_table "windows_types", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "windows_types", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "legacy_id"
     t.string "name"
@@ -575,7 +574,7 @@
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
   end
 
-  create_table "workshop_age_ranges", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "workshop_age_ranges", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.integer "age_range_id"
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -584,7 +583,7 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_workshop_age_ranges_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "workshop_logs", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "workshop_logs", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.text "challenges", size: :medium
     t.text "comments", size: :medium
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -609,7 +608,7 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_workshop_logs_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "workshop_resources", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "workshop_resources", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.integer "resource_id"
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: nil, null: false
@@ -618,7 +617,7 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_workshop_resources_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "workshop_variations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "workshop_variations", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.text "code", size: :medium
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: nil, null: false
     t.boolean "inactive", default: true
@@ -631,7 +630,7 @@
     t.index ["workshop_id"], name: "index_workshop_variations_on_workshop_id"
   end
 
-  create_table "workshops", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_0900_ai_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
+  create_table "workshops", id: :integer, charset: "utf8mb4", collation: "utf8mb4_unicode_ci", force: :cascade do |t|
     t.text "age_range", size: :medium
     t.text "age_range_spanish", size: :medium
     t.string "author_location"
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 1cd917a11..507654aa1 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ services:
       - 3306
     volumes:
       - mysql-data:/var/lib/mysql
+      - ./docker/mysql/charset.cnf:/etc/mysql/conf.d/charset.cnf:ro
       - ./db/init:/docker-entrypoint-initdb.d
     environment:
       MYSQL_ALLOW_EMPTY_PASSWORD: 1
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ services:
       # If you prefer traditional keys, set DB_* in .env and configure database.yml accordingly.
       RAILS_ENV: development
       RAILS_LOG_TO_STDOUT: "true"
-      DATABASE_URL: trilogy://root@database:3306/
+      DATABASE_URL: trilogy://root@database:3306/?encoding=utf8mb4&collation=utf8mb4_unicode_ci&variables[collation_connection]=utf8mb4_unicode_ci
 
     ports:
       - 3000:3000
diff --git a/docker/mysql/charset.cnf b/docker/mysql/charset.cnf
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..727b70091
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker/mysql/charset.cnf
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+[mysqld]
+character-set-server = utf8mb4
+collation-server     = utf8mb4_unicode_ci
\ No newline at end of file