April marked a period of transition and reflection as our formal partnership with the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation came to a close. This moment represents an important milestone in the evolution of the community-driven For Alamance Initiative, as the For Alamance Action Teams—made up of residents who’ve emerged as agents of hope in our community—step forward to continue driving this work.
The For Alamance Initiative is a grassroots effort rooted in the belief that real change happens when community members work together to take action on the issues that matter most to them. Since first partnering with the Harwood Institute in 2022, we’ve worked together to train local changemakers in the Harwood Approach, a philosophy of community change centered on shared ownership, collective action, and trust-building. Over the past four years, the five resident-led For Alamance Action Teams have been hard at work across Alamance County. Team members have spent countless hours listening deeply to neighbors from all walks of life, uncovering shared aspirations and values, and taking meaningful action to help build a stronger, more connected Alamance County for everyone, regardless of background, zip code, or socioeconomic status.
The important work of the For Alamance Action Teams, along with the impact of this initiative on our community over the past four years, culminated in the release of Alamance County’s Ripples of Change report in early April. The report highlights how local changemakers are laying the foundation for sustainable, positive change in our county while establishing new norms for reaching across differences to build something new together.
To celebrate this report and the partnership that made it possible, we hosted a community event at North Park’s Mayco Bigelow Community Center on April 27th. Nearly 70 people from across the county gathered to hear from Rich Harwood, founder of the Harwood Institute, as he reflected on what we have accomplished together, the challenges we have overcome, and the trust we have built along the way. Attendees also heard from residents who have been part of the work since the very beginning, who shared how the For Alamance Initiative helped them recognize their own leadership potential and step forward as agents of hope in Alamance County.
The following morning of April 28th, members of the For Alamance public innovators reconvened at Impact Alamance for the sixth Harwood Workspace, facilitated by Rich Harwood and his team. Together, we uplifted our wins, reflected on challenges faced and lessons learned, and rallied around a shared vision for the future of the For Alamance Initiative. This gathering provided space for both Impact Alamance and the For Alamance Action Teams to reaffirm our commitment to the work, as guidance and stewardship of the initiative shifted from the Harwood Institute to the residents who make up its heart.
On April 29, we extended these conversations through three Roundtables with elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and business leaders. These discussions offered an opportunity to explore the impact of the For Alamance Initiative more deeply and to reflect on the value of the Harwood Approach at a systems and leadership level. Together, participants considered how this work can continue to move forward across sectors, challenging long‑standing ways of working and imagining new possibilities for collaboration, partnership, and shared leadership in Alamance County.
Looking ahead, we are excited to see how the For Alamance Initiative will continue to grow and evolve, welcoming new voices and perspectives into the work. At Impact Alamance, we remain deeply committed to supporting the For Alamance Action Teams and the volunteers who bring this initiative to life. As we move forward, we will continue to host gatherings that build on the momentum of the past four years, creating space for learning, connection, and action, inviting new people into the work, and investing in those who are doing the day‑to‑day groundwork to turn our shared vision for Alamance County into reality.
To get involved and learn more, contact our Program Director, Jewel White, at (336) 221-0011 or jewel.white@conehealth.com or visit For Alamance Initiative – Impact Alamance.
