The Harwood Institute
Cart 0
Our Founder Resources Contact
Mission Approach The Studio on Community Impact Team Partners News Contact Us
Overview Speeches Training and Coaching Provocative Conversations Customized Solutions For Libraries For Australia
Upcoming Events 30th Anniversary News and Updates Rich Harwood Speaking Tour
Cart 0
About Mission Approach The Studio on Community Impact Team Partners News Contact Us Our Founder Work With Us Overview Speeches Training and Coaching Provocative Conversations Customized Solutions For Libraries For Australia Resources Events Upcoming Events 30th Anniversary News and Updates Rich Harwood Speaking Tour Contact
The Harwood Institute

Civic Faith: A very good place to start

“Global Communities” is one of 6 mosaics permanently installed on pillars at the entrance to the North Chevy Chase Elementary School. Teaching Artist, Carien Quiroga, worked with 6th grade students to explore the theme "Better Together" through the design and creation of a mosaic mural.    Photo courtesy of: Carien Quiroga    www.carienquiroga.com     https://www.facebook.com/carienquirogateachingartist/

“Global Communities” is one of 6 mosaics permanently installed on pillars at the entrance to the North Chevy Chase Elementary School. Teaching Artist, Carien Quiroga, worked with 6th grade students to explore the theme "Better Together" through the design and creation of a mosaic mural.

Photo courtesy of: Carien Quiroga
www.carienquiroga.com
https://www.facebook.com/carienquirogateachingartist/

By Sarah Goodwin Thiel, Studio Associate, Spring 2018

At the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, one is quickly introduced to civic faith. Civic faith is foundational to the Harwood Practice. As Rich Harwood explains it, civic faith is fueled by hope and rooted in the belief that we all have an innate capacity to shape our own lives as well as the lives we share with others. This idea of civic faith gives me a place to start that I hadn’t considered before. It helps me to better recognize and claim my own wisdom and strength; to see my past contributions and to understand my consequent and ongoing obligation to the public good.

Several figures throughout history have advocated for the sensibilities surrounding civic faith. A short-list of influential people identified by Richard Harwood includes Abraham Lincoln, Walt Whitman, Eleanor Roosevelt and Ralph Ellison.  Their writings speak of self-reliance and self-trust. They celebrate human potential and they advocate for collective action. I am moved by Lincoln’s lifelong belief in equal rights, his commitment to a united democracy and his unwavering empathy for ‘ordinary people.’ I am inspired by Walt Whitman and his celebration of individual worth. In his poem, “I Hear America Singing,” he embraces each voice while showing them all to be vital parts of the choir.  

When people bring their individual knowledge and life experiences to a shared idea, seeds are planted. Their collective strength can spark change and better things can and will happen. I know this works because I’ve seen it happen in my own life: through inclusive goal-setting with work colleagues, civic rituals with neighborhood friends, aspirational listening and planning with family. And though deep and cutting societal issues remain unresolved and solutions are illusive, I know that civic faith, and the self-trust, community strength and hope that come with it, is a very good place to start.

 

Turning Outward, StudioThe Harwood Institute TeamJune 11, 2018Harwood Studio, Civic Engagement
Facebook0 Twitter LinkedIn0 StumbleUpon Reddit Tumblr Pinterest0 0 Likes
Previous

Engagement - get a handle on it...

Turning Outward, StudioThe Harwood Institute TeamJune 19, 2018Civic Engagement, community, Harwood Studio
Next

The Studio on Community: A hub of innovation and thinking

Turning Outward, StudioThe Harwood Institute TeamMay 30, 2018Harwood Studio
The Harwood Institute
4915 Saint Elmo Ave, Suite 402,
Bethesda, MD 20814
Hours
Mon 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tue 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wed 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thu 8:30am - 5:30pm
Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
About
Mission Approach Impact Team Partners Resources
Our Founder
Rich Harwood Speaking Tour
Work With Us
Overview Speeches Training & Coaching Provocative Conversations Customized Solutions For Libraries For Australia
Events
Upcoming Events 30th Anniversary
Contact
Contact Us News and Updates Careers

Subscribe to our Newsletter

We send updates with upcoming opportunities, news, and more.

Subscribe

© 2019 The Harwood Institute. All Rights Reserved.