Rich Harwood in Colorado Springs Gazette about community event
Pikes Peak United Way to celebrate partnerships at luncheon
Colorado Springs Gazette
By Billie Stanton Anleu
May 30, 2015
The man who helped Pikes Peak United Way sharpen its focus is returning to town a year later, even as the nonprofit celebrates its partnerships and community projects.
Rich Harwood, president and CEO of the Harwood Institute, will speak at the agency's Community Celebration Luncheon on Thursday.
The institute's philosophy has inspired the nonprofit to reclaim the community one project at a time, said Jason Wood, president and CEO of United Way.
"Pikes Peak United Way is in the business of changing lives and making greater impact. We are more than just a fundraiser; we are a convener around issues that matter in our community," Wood said.
"We've had 105 organizations working with us over this process," he said. "Those that started with us are still engaged in the process."
During more than 50 "community conversations" in 2013 and 2014, people voiced their hopes for the city.
Then Harwood arrived and challenged the community to end its divisiveness, change its narrative and do business differently.
Discussions with more than 40 task force members, from business, education, foundations, government and the military, created a vision that led to focus areas on needed career education and skills and creating jobs and economic development.
