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What Our Partners Say
Ron Butler
Executive DirectorUnited Way of Genesee County
I began [working with The Harwood Institute] as vice-chair of the United Way of Genesee County. Seven years ago, we reached a crossroads. As a result of a variety of societal changes, including mounting unemployment due to layoffs at General Motors, the needs of local residents were entirely different from what we focused upon. We realized that, in order to be relevant again... more...
Pete Hutchinson
Harwood Place for Public Ideas Faculty MemberFlint, Michigan
In February, 1999, 14 Flint stalwarts began a journey through the Place
for Public Ideas. The first session centered on identifying common
aspirations and building trust amongst the class. It should be noted
that many of us did not know one another prior to meeting in the Place.
There has been a community impact created by the Place. This impact can... more...
Karen Aldridge-Eason
Foundation Liaison to Michigan Governor Jennifer M. GranholmFlint has now become a place for public ideas.
We used to be a town where everybody had somebody to blame for what was
wrong. There was a general sense of things not going well. But I
remember in one meeting when things seemed to begin turning. After
everybody complained that somebody has to fix this, a man stood up and
asked, "What are we going to... more...
Deborah Alvarez-Rodriguez
President and CEO, Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo & Marin Counties Former Vice President for Direct Community Experience, The Omidyar FoundationWe were very impressed by the level and breadth of research of The
Harwood Institute. They are powerful at intellectual discovery and are
very good at applying it to real life communities.
Harwood offers something that is extremely important,... more...
Charles Irish
Consultant and Former Superintendent of Schools, Medina, Ohio I believe the key to saving our schools is reconnecting communities with schools.
What really moved me was watching people dig into their values and learn about themselves. Those were "aha!" moments.
Harwood gave us a way of talking with each other that we've never
experienced before. People moved from just talking about what... more...
Carolyn Akers
Executive Director, Mobile Area Education Foundation, Mobile, AlabamaI started out working with kids in our public school system.
My family has been in Mobile for many generations. I know this
community very well. I love Mobile in some very important ways. But Iím
very frustrated too, especially about education.
What excites me is that I know progress can be made. I know that when I
go into a classroom and... more...