How Do We Bring People Together When Our Society Is Breaking Apart?

A new and inspiring blueprint to rediscover what we share in common and actively build upon it

Many of us are frustrated by the divisive nature of our public discourse, mistrust and broken promises. We lack hope that we can bridge our divides, come together and get things done.

Rich Harwood offers a new path forward. He argues that we don’t have to accept the divisions, gridlock and negativity happening in our country. He knows, from working in communities for more than 30 years, that we can rediscover what we share in common and actively build upon it.

Stepping Forward shows us how to channel our frustrations, energies, and aspirations to get on a more hopeful path. This book shows us how we can step forward to —

• Turn Outward to see and hear each other again and afford ever person human dignity

• Rediscover what we share in common by focusing on our shared aspirations, even amid our real differences

• Recognize we must tap into our innate capabilities to produce meaningful change

• Forge a new shared responsibility to marshal community resources to solve problems and harness people’s yearning for genuine engagement

• Create a new can-do narrative by focusing on civic parables that remind us that we can be actors, shapers and builders of our shared lives

To get the country moving in a better direction, these efforts must start in our local communities. Then we can restore our can-do spirit and faith in ourselves. You don’t need to wait. Step Forward.

About The Harwood Institute

The Harwood Institute is in a long-tradition of small, catalytic organizations throughout American history that have worked to strengthen and advance our society to create a more hopeful future for all. For over 30 years, we have created breakthroughs on how to address the hardest and most vital societal challenges and strengthen our civic culture.