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Better Together Creating a Shared Direction for Rockingham County

PREPARED BY THE HARWOOD INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC INNOVATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REIDSVILLE AREA FOUNDATION BY RICHARD C. HARWOOD AND MICHAEL PRIHODA

The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation

Reidsville Area Foundation

4915 St. Elmo Avenue, Suite 402

124 S. Scales St.

Bethesda, MD 20814

Reidsville, NC 27320

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Reidsville Area Foundation is

Innovation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan

motivated by a vision of a thriving

organization that equips people,

Rockingham County, where diversity

organizations, communities, and

and civility co-exist and all members

networks with the tools to bridge

of the community feel valued and

divides, build capacity, and tackle shared

supported. We actively pursue our

challenges. The Harwood Institute’s work

vision through our grantmaking,

is rooted in a philosophy of Civic Faith

supporting transformative

and the practice of Turning Outward.

initiatives, and strategic projects

Founded in 1988, the Institute’s approach

in early childhood and public

has spread to all 50 states across the U.S.

education, health and wellness, and

and 40 countries around the world.

community development.

Better Together: Creating a Shared Direction for Rockingham County was prepared by The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation in partnership with Reidsville Area Foundation Written by Richard C. Harwood and Michael Prihoda Research by John Conroy, Magaly Cobian, Marla Crockett, Oluwagbemiga Dasylva, Andrew Della Rocca, Joe Krushinsky, Kris Nelson, and Florence Rogers Edited by John Conroy and proofread by Peyton Rabb Assisted by Karina Burck, Erika Coon, and Lucas Powers Community engagement led by Dawn Charaba, Tango Moore, Bobby Jones, and A’lexus Monsanto-Harrison with support from the Reidsville Area Foundation Board of Directors, alongside The Harwood Institute’s John Conroy, Oluwagbemiga Dasylva, and Lucas Powers Community conversation hosts and partners include Dalton McMichael High School, Eden Boys & Girls Club, First Baptist Church of Reidsville, First Presbyterian Church of Reidsville, Huntsville Elementary School, Madison-Mayodan Recreation Commission, Morehead High School, N.C. Cooperative Extension, New Reidsville Housing Authority, New St. Paul Baptist Church (Eden), Reidsville Area Foundation, Reidsville High School, Rockingham Community College, Rockingham County High School, Sharon Community Outreach Corporation, The Salvation Army, Volunteer Fire Department of Bethany, and Williamsburg Community Building Design by Dresden Branding & Design Photography by Jameel Austin (Social Circle Content Marketing), Jamaal Davis (THEMiXXNETWORKLLC), Eden Chamber of Commerce, Jenny Edwards, Felton Foushee (RELC & NC-100), Jamie Jackson (Jamiejackphotography), Madison-Mayodan Recreation Department, Tango Barham Moore, Reidsville Area Foundation, Rhonda Lawrence (Town of Stoneville), Rockingham Community College, Rockingham County

Scan for more information about the initiative in

Economic Development and Tourism, Rockingham County Partnership for Children with contributions from photographer Adina Thompkins, Western Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, Marty Woods (McMichael Volleyball), Stephanie Wray ©2026 The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation and Reidsville Area Foundation

Rockingham

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Table of Contents Letter from Reidsville Area Foundation

Preface

A Guide to this Report

Introduction

Our Voices

Rockingham County’s Public Capital

Building the Community’s Civic Strength

Letter from Reidsville Area Foundation Dear Community Partners, Progress is never the result of one voice alone,

Our work is rooted in relationships—shaped by the lived experiences, needs, challenges, and aspirations of others. Over the past six

but the harmony of many. This report—Better

months, we have grown and strengthened our

Together: Creating a Shared Direction for

relationships with our community members

Rockingham County—reflects the strength,

as well as The Harwood Institute team.

creativity, and resilience that emerge when

Together with the Institute, we spent time

individuals come together to listen openly,

listening and learning across Rockingham

intentionally, and with a willingness to

County—facilitating eight roundtables, 18

understand one another. This report shows our

community conversations, and 36 one-on-one

community is ready for change—it captures

interviews. The numerous voices of individuals

the collective energy necessary to turn ideas

from diverse backgrounds now inform our

into action, challenges into opportunities, and

shared understanding of what matters most in

intentions into meaningful impact.

our community.

Reidsville Area Foundation was established

I appreciate the empathy, compassion, and

with the belief that Rockingham County can

thoughtfulness shown by Rockingham County

be a place where diversity and civility not only

residents. Even in moments of disagreement,

coexist, but where all people thrive—where

listening remained at the heart of each

every individual feels valued, supported, and

community conversation. What excites me

able to fully participate in the social, economic,

most is that this report demonstrates how

and civic life of our community. Yet we must

collaboration, trust, and unity expand our

be honest with ourselves. You will see in the report where too many of our neighbors still feel unseen. Too many lack access to the opportunities they deserve. And too often, the sense of connection and shared purpose that defines a truly thriving community falls short of what we envision. This acknowledgment is not a failure—it is a call to action. It challenges

potential—showing that what we achieve together is far greater than anything we can accomplish alone. We are better together. A stronger, more vibrant future is within reach and we invite you to help shape it. Will you join us? Yours in service,

us to recommit, to listen more deeply, and to work more intentionally. Because the future we believe in is still within reach—but only if we are willing to confront where we are and move forward together with renewed determination.

Dawn Charaba

Executive Director, Reidsville Area Foundation

Preface The people of Rockingham County

generate a stronger sense of shared

cherish their community. There’s a shared

purpose, and discover a more productive

history. Pride runs deep. And shared

way to move forward together.

values of faith and family shape people’s lives. Yet the area is dealing with pressing

During my nearly 40 years of doing this work, I have seen what it takes for

challenges and faces a fundamental

communities to move forward. New

choice: Stay on the current path and risk

initiatives and programs may be necessary,

decline or work together to address what

but they are not sufficient. They cannot

matters to people and restore hope?

be our sole focus. In Rockingham County, the community’s civic capacities—the

Every community has the ability to shape

relationships, networks, leaders and

its own future. But not all communities

organizations, and norms for working

seize this opportunity. The status quo

together—have weakened over time.

can create inertia. Meetings and actions may occur, yet fail to address the issues that truly matter to people and the need

Thus, the central task for Rockingham County is to grow its civic capacities to enable the community to effectively go

for leaders and organizations to work

together and take shared action that

together in more productive ways.

grows and spreads over time.

When you listen to the voices of

Our country desperately needs more

Rockingham County, it’s clear people

examples of communities coming

want to work together to address what

together to create a common future,

matters to people and strengthen the

especially amid people’s real differences. Here in Rockingham County, the

community’s civic culture. In a time of growing national division, this community yearns to overcome its separation and

opportunity is ripe to build on the good while creating a new trajectory of hope.

get on a shared path forward. This report

Now is the time for the community to go

doesn’t prescribe specific solutions to

together and get on a shared path forward.

meet particular challenges. Instead, it seeks to illuminate what this new path requires and enable people across the community to see and hear one another,

Richard C. Harwood President and Founder, The Harwood Institute

A Guide to this Report In 2025, Reidsville Area Foundation began discussions with The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation about how to help strengthen the Rockingham County community. As a down payment

civic culture so the community itself can

on this work, the foundation asked

come together to determine how best to

The Harwood Institute to help them

move forward.

learn more about the community by identifying strengths to build on and things to address moving forward. This report, Better Together: Creating

Over a six-month period, The Harwood Institute undertook a series of 18 conversations with residents from different areas of Rockingham County,

a Shared Direction for Rockingham

including conversations with high school

County, presents what we found. This

and community college students. These

report is only the beginning. Later in

conversations engaged a cross-section

2026, The Harwood Institute will partner

of community members. In addition,

with Reidsville Area Foundation to

The Harwood Institute conducted 36

launch a multi-year initiative to engage

in-depth interviews with community

community leaders and residents who

leaders, which included elected

wish to develop new ways to work

officials and leaders from nonprofits,

together to address local challenges. This report is not intended to be a scorecard on the community, nor does it prescribe specific solutions for moving forward. Instead, it is intended for the

neighborhoods, education systems, religious institutions, healthcare services, businesses, and other areas. There is one additional point to be made about how the report was done: Each individual quote was selected only

community to better understand how

if it represented larger patterns found

people across Rockingham County see

in the research. The selected quotes

and experience life in the community,

come from across all of The Harwood

and to offer key areas for strengthening

Institute’s interviews and conversations.

Here are the sections of the report that follow: Introduction — This section provides an overview of the report. In it, we outline four main themes that emerged from the conversations and interviews in Rockingham County. Our Voices — In this section, you will hear people in Rockingham County describe how they see and experience the community and share their hopes and concerns about the future. Rockingham County’s Public Capital — This section is a snapshot and analysis of the fundamental structures, networks, and norms of Rockingham County through the lens of The Harwood Institute’s Public Capital Framework. This snapshot reflects what it takes for a community to work together effectively. It was developed through the Institute’s research and on-the-ground work in communities in all 50 US states. Building the Community’s Civic Strength — This section lays out key recommendations for Rockingham County to invest in and develop its civic capacities alongside the steps the community can take to catalyze and grow efforts that build trust and a sense of possibility and hope. 4

Introduction People in Rockingham County are proud of where they live. They love the county’s “small-town feel all over,” there’s a deep history and heritage that binds people together, and people talk about their individual communities as if they are each a “family.” It’s why many people say Rockingham County is a great place to raise kids and settle down. But amid all the good, people’s concerns are rising. There’s a belief that the area continues to decline as challenges pile

Rockingham County faces a fundamental choice: Stay on the current path and risk decline or come together to address what matters to people and restore hope.

up. Some people feel neglected, as if there are winners and losers rather than a community that wins together. Today,

put their energy. One Stoneville resident

people are in search of change but don’t

voiced this widely-shared sentiment:

know what action to take or where to

“There’s a need for change. How to create the change and make the change come into fruition is the problem.” In turn, the community is asking important questions about its future. Is change possible? Will all people feel seen and heard? And will people step forward to move the whole community forward? Rockingham County faces a fundamental choice: Stay on the current path and risk decline or come together to address what matters to people and restore hope.

Where the Community Stands

with some even expressing neglect. There’s a lack of cooperation and collaboration. Prejudice and racism

People in Rockingham County care

are still present for many. And political

deeply about each other. As one leader

divisiveness has taken over the public

noted, “People often ask me what’s the

square, with many afraid to speak

best thing about Rockingham County.

up for fear of backlash or rejection. People have hunkered down and

I always say, the main thing here is the people. They treat you like family.”

retreated from much of community

Yet the area is experiencing significant

these underlying conditions is key to

challenges. High-wage jobs are scarce.

unlocking the community’s ability to

People struggle to access healthcare,

move forward together.

life in response. Directly addressing

transportation, childcare, and food. Not enough opportunities exist for youth. And separation and fragmentation hold people back from working together to

– The community needs to break out of its silos. Across conversations,

people talk about living, socializing, and working in silos. While people

address deeper issues.

say they frequently talk about the

Still, the community yearns to come

community’s needs and challenges,

together and find a more positive way

they note it’s almost always in private

forward. “I think we have common

with likeminded folks. There’s a need

purpose and common goals,” a Madison

to open things up more. Indeed,

resident shared. “How to attain it? That’s

people indicate they are looking

where the difficulty comes in.”

for more spaces for authentic community discussion, more leaders

We held in-depth interviews and

who are turned outward and have

conversations with residents, leaders,

the community in their line of sight,

youth, and people throughout

and more efforts that bring people

Rockingham County. They collectively

together across the county. If people

revealed four overarching themes:

remain closed off from one another, it

– Underlying conditions keep people apart. Throughout conversations,

change people seek. – People want to create change but

people voiced a number of

will be nearly impossible to create the

frustrations that shape life in

don’t know how. People in every

Rockingham County. Many residents

part of the county say that change

say they do not feel seen and heard,

is needed. The problem is, in the

To move forward in a more hopeful way, the people of Rockingham County must work together to create shared action.

words of one Rockingham Community

together.” As one Bethany resident

College student, “people don’t

said, “If we could just get together,

know what actions to take or don’t

we can roll on down the road.”.

have the outlets to take action.” Still, despite the lack of a clear path

People across Rockingham County

forward, there’s an “energy” in the

are calling out to tackle these themes

community that is ripe to be tapped.

head-on. If they don’t, the community

“I think the biggest challenge is

will remain stuck amid larger negative

getting everybody to the same table

forces. But if they do, they can get on

and rowing in the same direction,”

a different path, one that taps into why

a leader said. To move forward in

people love and value the community in

a more hopeful way, the people

the first place.

of Rockingham County must work together to create shared action and unleash people’s desire to make a difference. – The community needs to overcome its separation and “go together.” The community rightfully takes great pride in the way people across Rockingham County step up to help one another in response to individual needs. There’s an opportunity to extend that ethic of helping to create a stronger community rather than just supporting individual efforts. To do so, people must overcome their separation and find new ways to “go © The Harwood Institute/Reidsville Area Foundation

Which Path Will We Take?

There is no clear-cut way forward. Yet

For a community to be healthy and

directly with these difficult questions.

thrive, growth must occur in many forms

This requires work.

over time. This includes developing the civic capacities needed to engage with the hard issues, tensions, and challenges facing a community. Real, concerted

people want to deal more openly and

Moving Forward, Together Residents and leaders alike want Rockingham County to address the

action is needed to help people

community’s pressing challenges and

overcome their separation, restore

strengthen its civic culture—in essence,

hope, and make real progress together.

how the community works together and

If Rockingham County wants to get on

gets things done. But not all actions will

a more hopeful path, it must consider

effectively move a community forward.

these questions:

Over nearly 40 years, The Harwood Institute has learned that it’s at this very

– What needs to happen for more

point that people must face reality if they

people to be seen and heard?

are to create a new trajectory of hope.

– What will it take to strengthen the

Too often, those seeking positive change turn to old habits. They choose

community’s civic capacities?

a path of comprehensive, highly– How does the community build

coordinated plans, where they attempt

on the good things that are

to bring as many people and groups

already happening?

together as possible. Such efforts often

– How can the community catalyze and support more shared action? 8

fade away or fail outright due to the unwillingness or inability of many groups to work together.

Too many community efforts do not truly know, or choose to ignore, what really matters to people. They lean toward a one-size-fits-all approach, often imported from a different community with a different history and needs. Solutions are imposed upon communities, leaving change undelivered and people feeling that they’ve lost control over their lives and futures. There is a failure to understand and account for the community’s context. At the root of such approaches is an assumption that communities need to be “fixed”—as if people and communities are seeking to have someone fix them. As if the persistent challenges reflected in this report can somehow be easily solved. Communities move forward and thrive by growing themselves. They unleash a chain reaction that begins with small

Residents and leaders alike want Rockingham County to address the community’s pressing challenges and strengthen its civic culture.

actions and expands over time. Such actions, when they are strategic, address the community’s underlying conditions

Such hope is not based on wishful

and honor people’s shared aspirations.

thinking, nor is it a false hope made

They are designed to strengthen the

of unrealistic expectations or utopian

community’s civic culture, including

visions. What is needed is authentic

the relationships, norms, leaders,

hope—a hope built upon realistic

organizations, and networks that enable

promises and concrete actions taken and

a community to function. Taken together,

emerging over time.

these expanding actions grow the community’s civic confidence and belief

Now, the people of Rockingham County

in itself. A greater sense of possibility

have the opportunity to create a

and hope follows.

shared direction.

🟥

Our Voices “I like living in Rockingham County because it’s that small-town feel all over.”

Listen to the voices of those who make

challenges and build a stronger

Rockingham County their home. You’ll

community together. What follows is

hear many people express their affection

a series of themes that emerged from

for the community while also believing

our conversations with residents and

the area faces significant challenges that

interviews with leaders from across

are holding the community back. As

Rockingham County. Keep in mind that

you listen to these voices, you can sense

each individual quote was selected only

people’s aspirations to come together to work through their underlying

if it represented larger patterns found in the research.

A Great Community “I like living in Rockingham County because it’s that small-town feel all over,” noted a Williamsburg resident. A leader expanded by saying the community is a, “very rural, very family-feel type place, a good place with hardworking people who just want the best for their families.” Another leader added, “People in rural areas just care deeply about where we live. There’s a deep sense of belonging and loyalty to family and friends.” In every conversation across the county, people expressed how the area is “tight-knit.” “You know your neighbors and everything,” a Reidsville resident © The Harwood Institute/Reidsville Area Foundation

said. A leader added, “A lot of people

“You want to move here. There’s not a

have been here a long time so they

lot of crime.” That feeling was echoed

know the history, it’s generational.”

by a Stoneville resident who said, “We

Another universal refrain was, “We look

live in a safe community. I feel like I don’t

after each other.” That’s because, as

have to walk outside worried at night

one high school student said, “Around

by myself.”

here, we’re a family.” The idea of their

These qualities add up to a community

community being a family led one

that’s a great place to raise kids and

Bethany resident to say, “At the end of

retire. “I get people from all over the

the day, they’re caring, loving people

country that have connections here,

who want community. I think that’s

and they say, ‘I visited and this is a great

what’s important.”

place to live, retire, and raise kids.’ And

People also cherish “the natural

I was like, ‘Yeah, it is!’ That’s one of the

aesthetics with the rivers and the

great things about Rockingham County,”

beautiful land,” according to a leader. An

one leader shared. A high school

Eden resident noted how “the trails have

student simply said, “It’s a good place to

been really nice.” On top of that, “This

settle down.”

is a safe area,” a Mayodan resident said.

People Live “Separate and Apart”

Reidsville and Eden. I don’t know where that originally started but it is very territorial.” A Reidsville resident agreed,

Amid all the good things people

saying, “That river separates this county.

love about living here, the different

Once you cross that river, Eden is in its

towns remain separate. “Our county

own world.” This geographic separation

has five towns inside of one really big

applies to more than just Reidsville and

county,” a leader said. “There’s not

Eden though. For example, one Madison

a whole lot of intersection between

resident said, “When you talk to people

those populations.” An Eden resident

in Reidsville and Eden, they don’t really

emphasized, “I think there’s a separatist

know that Madison and Stoneville exist.”

mindset.” Another leader described how this plays out in people’s daily lives. “If you grew up in Eden, you didn’t really go to the western side of the county or to Reidsville,” they said. “And if you grew up in the western side, you never went over to Reidsville.”

Over time, “Each community has developed its own identity,” according to a leader. Those unique identities are cherished across the different parts of the county. As another leader said, “People want to hold on to their special identity in the towns. There’s nothing

The Dan River is an important physical

wrong with that.” But this tendency

dividing line. One leader noted, “There’s

causes many people to stick to their own

something about the river between

rather than build a larger community

“Our county has five towns inside of one really big county. There’s not a whole lot of intersection between those populations.”

together. “People see themselves as separate and apart,” another leader added. As one Stoneville resident explained, “Madison people are Madison people. Mayodan people are Mayodan people. Stoneville people are Stoneville people.” This existing separation has led to a

People across the county feel the area is defined by decline, due in large part to the loss of major industries.

kind of negative competition across the county. “Everybody’s fighting for that dollar for economic development,” one Reidsville resident said. A leader echoed that, naming, “[Communities] don’t seem to want to work together; they seem

leave home to find work and other opportunities. “We’ve got more population going to Greensboro, Danville, Burlington, or wherever to

to be competitive against each other.” Amid this competition, an Eden resident felt that “there’s nothing that ties the

work,” a Williamsburg resident said. “We’re just becoming a bigger bedroom community.” That can put a real strain

entire community together as one.”

on some people’s daily lives. An Eden

Decline Amid Pressing Challenges

resident shared a common experience. “I drive an hour away because there was nothing here for me,” they said. “There needs to be more jobs.” A

People across the county feel the area

Reidsville resident added, “I believe

is defined by decline, due in large

there’s a lot of talent, but there’s not

part to the loss of major industries. “Rockingham County was always a textile and manufacturing area,” a Stoneville

enough opportunities.” This lack of “opportunities” is a particular concern in relation to youth, with one Williamsburg

resident noted. “A lot of those jobs

resident wondering, “If you don’t give

are gone.” Some areas feel hollowed

youth a reason to stay, then how do you

out as a result. “You see a lot of empty

get them to build in the community?”

buildings in town,” reported another

Increasingly, people feel they must

Stoneville resident. A Madison resident

Some residents and leaders point

added their own example: “There’s this

to a handful of recent positive

vacant block that’s been there ever since

developments—including the building

I can remember that is an eyesore and

of a new elementary school in Reidsville;

doesn’t look good for our town.”

the ongoing restoration of the Pennrose © The Harwood Institute/Reidsville Area Foundation

Mall; the development of Washington

like the community is stuck. “We’re

Mills Park in Mayodan; and the return

always in that figure-something-out

of some manufacturing jobs to the area

space,” they said. “And not, ‘We figured

through Purina and other employers.

that out, now let’s move on to the next

But these developments are insufficient

thing.’” It’s all adding up to an ingrained

for reversing the sense of decline

negative narrative where people no

people feel. Meanwhile, the decline is

longer believe that change is possible.

compounded by a series of pressing challenges. “There’s a lot of challenges across the county,” one leader stated.

Underlying Frustrations

“Probably more challenges than what I

The people of Rockingham County are

know of.”

experiencing numerous frustrations that rose to the surface during community

These challenges go beyond the limited

conversations and leader interviews

job market and lack of opportunities.

across the county. They are felt deeply,

They include issues like access to

not contained to a particular town or

healthcare, transportation, childcare,

group of people, and ultimately hold the

and food. Just making ends meet

community back from addressing what

is increasingly a challenge for many people. “Some families are in crisis mode,” declared a leader. Finding stable housing is another issue of growing concern. “The only homeless shelter right now in Rockingham County is the one in Eden,” a leader said.

matters to people. MANY PEOPLE FEEL NEGLECTED Many people across the county feel neglected. One Mayodan resident said, “I think the resources provided to our area are less than what we see in some

People feel it’s becoming more and

other areas of the county.” A leader

more difficult to make progress on these

added to that, saying, “The western side,

challenges. One leader reported feeling

I think a lot of times they feel like they’ve

been ignored.” But regardless of where people live, they share the sentiment that their area isn’t doing well or getting the support it needs. A feeling of neglect shows up within

“People feel like their voice doesn’t make a difference.”

individual communities too. One Eden resident had the Draper neighborhood in mind when they said, “This side of

than a community that wins together.

Eden has kind of gone down while the

As one Stoneville resident said, “It’s a

upper side near Washington Street has

zero-sum game.”

really grown.” A Reidsville resident noted

RESIDENTS FEEL UNHEARD

their own example, “It’s sort of been [the community’s] mission in the last

Residents across the community don’t

decade or so to make buildings within

feel heard, especially by elected leaders.

a block of Scales Street beautiful, but I

“We don’t feel like they listen to us,”

haven’t seen much development with

one Williamsburg resident said. Multiple

any buildings on the other side of the

people reported trying to voice their

railroad tracks.” And a Madison resident

opinions to local leaders with little

summed things up by voicing a common

effect, like this Bethany resident, who

feeling among residents there: “Unless you are in a certain part of town, you just aren’t important.”

related, “The last meeting I went to, they told me that I was not an expert, so nothing I said was pertinent.” But this isn’t contained to elected

This sense of neglect was pervasive across conversations. And it leads many residents to believe there are winners and losers in Rockingham County, rather

leaders alone as others speak more broadly about not feeling seen and heard. For example, one Madison resident said, “People feel like their voice doesn’t make a difference.” In fact, it’s leading many residents to feel getting involved isn’t worth it. A Reidsville resident said, “Sometimes we don’t want to get involved because we’re not heard, we’re not listened to. It doesn’t matter what we think.” This led an Eden resident to suggest, “Why talk

“We built up our walls and don’t want to go outside of our walls to collaborate and work together with others.”

about [the issues]? If we’re going to get

Many residents yearn for more leaders

something done, we have to go outside

of all types to work productively to move

of the system.”

the community forward. A Reidsville

A LACK OF COOPERATION “There’s just something culturally that has been here forever that prevents us from [working together],” a Madison resident noted. “Even if we want to work together.” Expanding on why this lack of collaboration persists, a Reidsville resident explained: “We built up our walls and don’t want to go outside of our walls to collaborate and work together with others.” Others mentioned how individuals, groups, and organizations tend to work in silos despite sharing

resident noted, “We need some changes, but it’s not going to happen until we have some cooperation from folks at the top.” Meanwhile, an Eden resident felt, “Some people may get together and talk about [change] and then it kind of just ends there.” They then asked a crucial question: “Who’s going to take the initiative to take action and take it where it needs to go?” PREJUDICE AND RACISM During conversations, people often hesitated to name prejudice and racism as an issue. For example, a Black

common goals. “I think everybody has

resident from Madison followed up a

similar goals,” another Reidsville resident

comment from another resident in one

said. But, they concluded, “They want

conversation by saying, “I think what she

to work in their own silos, in their own

wants to say… it may not be appropriate

geographical area.”

to say, but there is still a racial divide.”

This can also translate into whether or not public spaces feel welcoming. “It’s very rare to find somewhere around here that feels like they’re trying to get everyone in the door,” said a leader. “Most places do not want everyone inside the door and you can tell.” An Eden resident was more candid: “A

POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS

lot of things are being sugarcoated. I think the whole thing with the county is prejudice. That’s just keeping it real.”

“All conversations go back to politics,” one leader began. “There’s always

Given time and space to open up,

someone trying to raise their power

people across the county frequently

level and minimize yours.” The fact that

spoke to the influence of prejudice

“politics” is increasingly seeping into

and racism in community life. A Black

public discourse and how things work in

resident in a conversation at Huntsville

the community was top of mind for many,

Elementary shared, “When I grew up,

including a Mayodan resident who said,

my white friends were only allowed to

“There’s a lot of political division here in

stay with white people or they would

this community. Our national politics set

be in trouble. I don’t think that should

the tone.”

be something that’s normalized in this

People say these political divisions are

county.” A Latino resident noted, “I sometimes feel like I need to hide my

getting in the way of addressing shared

culture. It’s not something I can be loud

challenges. “Because of that division,

and proud about.”

we’ve lost sight of some of the most important things that we have in the

A white leader spoke to the broader

community, like our schools,” a leader

impact of prejudice and racism in

said. “They become caught in the

community life. “I do think race is a real challenge here,” they said. “There’s a lot

crossfire and they suffer.” Another leader

of things rooted in racism and prejudice toward minorities because it’s a very white-dominated hierarchy in terms of political power.” A Latino resident added, “There’s a lot of racism with some people. Unfortunately, people still

“There’s a lot of political division here in this community.”

talk to each other based on skin color.” 18

added, “Because we’re so polarized now

a Williamsburg resident explained. A

politically, you gotta try to consciously

Reidsville resident said this family feeling

stay in the middle or neutral to get

means, “If you need something, all you

people to come together.”

got to do is knock on the door or give them a call, your neighbor will be there

While the divisiveness frustrates

for you.”

residents, many resist despair. Take this Stoneville resident, who said, “We are so divided.” But, they continued, “If we can come together in unity, then we can accomplish a lot. With unity, you can accomplish a lot of things.”

People Step Up to Care For One Another

People repeatedly pointed to daily examples—from small to big—of everyday folks going out of their way to help when they saw someone in need. “I needed to move a car in my driveway and my neighbor happened to be walking down the street. I don’t know him but he helped me. My other neighbor across the street helped me

While these larger challenges and frustrations exist, a foundational ethic remains. Across the county, people step up to help each other in response to visible needs. In fact, in practically every conversation, people named a sense of “family” being strong in their area. “It’s

In practically every conversation, people named a sense of “family” being strong in their area.

more like family than it is just neighbors,”

fix my lawn mower. It doesn’t matter

Reidsville, one resident raised a final

what neighborhood I’ve been in, my

point they wanted to make sure they got

experience has been that they are good

across. “The thing I wanted to say was

people here,” explained a Williamsburg

Rockingham County people will give

resident. A Reidsville resident offered

you the shirt off their back. I don’t care

another example: “When [our block]

what race, color, whatever you got going

had a house fire last year, the family

on,” they said. “If you’re in Rockingham

was burnt out.” They then described

County, you’re part of the family.”

how the neighborhood sprang into action “getting together food, clothes, whatever they needed.”

An Opportunity to Support Youth

During a conversation with high school

People believe more needs to be done

students, one youth emphasized

to support youth. This was heard across

a common phrase for people in

all conversations. “If they’re not into

Rockingham County, no matter

sports, there’s no places for youth to

someone’s background or income or

go, no activity for them, no programs

political persuasion: “We’re a family.”

outside of school,” an Eden resident

And near the end of a conversation

said. A Bethany resident added, “We

at First United Baptist Church in

need more stuff for young kids around © The Harwood Institute/Reidsville Area Foundation

This desire and willingness to better rally around and support the area’s youth can be tapped to build momentum for moving forward in a new way.

here. We don’t have it.” And another

like living in Reidsville. The only issue I

Eden resident spoke to a general “lack

have is the job market is kind of bad.”

of resources for youth.” Given this lack of

Another high school student voiced a

resources, schools are feeling the weight

common refrain among youth when they

of issues being left at their door. One

said, “I would stay in my community,

education leader reported how, “We

but…” before describing the lack of

have large classes and we have kids who

activities and opportunities available

don’t have the services that they need.

to them.

Schools are asked more and more to provide mental health support and food support, but we’re asked to do it with less and less money every year.”

In turn, people express a desire to step up on behalf of youth. “I think any mom, grandma, aunt, uncle would agree that they want the children in their lives and

Thinking beyond high school, adults

their families to be successful,” one

and youth alike worry about future job

Reidsville resident said. Going a step

prospects. “I think we lose a lot of our

further, a Reidsville resident shared a

youth to bigger communities and better

simple statement heard throughout

opportunities because they don’t feel

different conversations: “If it’s for

they have the resources here to come

the kids, people will show up.” Some

back to for a career,” shared one leader.

even offered examples of this already

A high school student put it this way: “I

happening in small ways, like this

A Desire for Change

Reidsville resident who said, “There’s been times where one of the moms will call me and say, ‘Hey, can you get my son to practice?’ I’m going to do it because it’s for a kid. There’s villages around

moving forward in a new way. As one

things to be better.” This yearning including by this Stoneville resident who

This desire and willingness to better rally can be tapped to build momentum for

Wentworth resident said. “We need was heard across Rockingham County,

each kid.”

around and support the area’s youth

“There needs to be a change,” one

concluded, “I think we all know that a change needs to happen.” Yet while the yearning for change is strong, people aren’t sure how to get started.

Reidsville resident noted, “Everybody

“I think we have common purpose

wants a better future for their kids. You

and common goals,” said a Madison

got that shared sense of a goal.”

resident quoted in the introduction. © The Harwood Institute/Reidsville Area Foundation

“How to attain it? That’s where the difficulty comes in.” Others noted similar challenges with knowing where and how to get started. For example, a Rockingham Community College student said, “A lot of people see eye to eye, but they don’t know what actions to take or don’t have the outlets to take action.”

“I think we have common purpose and common goals. How to attain it? That’s where the difficulty comes in.”

Still, amid this lack of a clear path forward, leaders and residents both voiced how there is an “energy” to tap

really matters to people. As one leader

into. “There’s energy that people want

said, “People are working hard in this

to give,” one Rockingham Community

community to make the community

College student noted, “Everyone wants

better. Just separately.” It’s time for

to help.” Meanwhile, a leader said,

the people of Rockingham County

“There’s a lot of energy throughout the

to overcome their separation and

county. There’s an appetite for how we

“go together.”

make our community better.”

The good news? It can be done, if more

Rockingham County has an opportunity

people answer the call voiced by this

to tap into and unleash this energy.

Bethany resident: “If you want to see

Doing so will require leaders and

change, you’ve got to show up. You can’t

residents from all walks of life to come

be a pew warmer. You’ve got to get up

together in a new way to address what

and show up.”

🟥

Rockingham County’s Public Capital

The Harwood Institute’s research and

While trying to picture how public capital

on-the-ground initiatives in communities

works, keep in mind an ecosystem that

across the US and elsewhere suggest

exists right outside your door—or put

that for a community to work effectively,

more simply, think about how our air,

it needs a web of fundamental

water, land, and habitat interact daily.

structures, networks, and norms. “Public

On their own, each of these factors

capital” is what we call this rich, complex

seems quite simple and isolated at

system. Nine factors make up The

times. Indeed, each is often talked about

Harwood Institute’s definition of public

as an independent element. Yet what

capital, each of which a community can

makes an ecosystem work is not only

actively develop.

the robustness of each element, but

In this section, we offer a close look at Rockingham County through the lens of public capital. This framework should be thought of as a touchstone—not a scorecard—for understanding the community’s current conditions and how to strengthen them to better tackle

the healthy relationships between and among them. Public capital operates in much the same way. The nine factors are both independent and highly interdependent. It is the rich, complex interaction between them that makes a community work.

challenges and create a greater sense of possibility and hope. © The Harwood Institute/Reidsville Area Foundation

Public Capital An Abundance of Social Gatherings — that enable people to learn about what is happening in the community and begin to develop a sense of mutual trust. Organized Spaces for Interaction — where people can come together to learn about, discuss, and often act on common challenges. These spaces help a community begin to identify and tap resources to address concerns. Catalytic Organizations — that help engage people in public life, spur discussion on community challenges, and marshal a community’s resources to move ahead. These organizations help lay the foundation for community action, but do not act as the driving force. Safe Havens for Decision Makers — where a community’s leaders can deliberate and work through community concerns in “unofficial,” candid discussions. Strong, Diverse Leadership — that extends to all layers of a community, understands the concerns of the community as a whole, and serves as a connector among individuals and organizations throughout the community. Informal Networks & Links — that connect various individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions together to create the cross-fertilization effect of experiences, knowledge, and resources. People carry and spread ideas, messages, and community norms from place to place. Conscious Community Discussion — where a community has ample opportunity to think about and sort through its public concerns before taking action. People play an active role in helping decide how the community should act. Community Norms for Public Life — that help guide how people act individually, interact, and work together. These norms set the standards and tone for people’s engagement. A Shared Purpose for the Community — that sends an explicit message about the community’s aspirations and helps reinforce that everyone is headed toward a common goal.

An Abundance of Social Gatherings An Abundance of Social Gatherings— that enable people to learn about what is

“We have such a strong sports culture here in the county.”

happening in the community and begin to develop a sense of mutual trust. These are usually seedbeds of trust, though they can also be ways in which people stay within their own circles. WHAT’S GOING ON The community gathers around sporting events. “In Rockingham County, sports are a big deal,” said

gets together,” shared a third leader. “They tend to bring that pride of the community.” A Reidsville resident offered a particular example: “We have a strong athletic program at Reidsville High School, so people from all walks of life are there sitting in the stands.”

one leader. Another leader added, “We have such a strong sports culture here in the county.” Many kids start playing sports at a young age. As one Bethany resident noted, “Youth sports have always been a very big part of the community. They bring people together.” Local sports culture is especially prevalent in the county’s high schools. “High school sports is a great melting pot where the community © The Harwood Institute/Reidsville Area Foundation

People get together over food. “We

Outdoor spaces and events bring

people together. People across the

like to eat,” joked one Reidsville resident.

county cherish the unique outdoor

“I mean, people like gathering to break

spaces, festivals, and parks in their

bread in general.” Mom-and-pop places,

area. Market Square in Reidsville, a

chain and fast food restaurants, and

downtown park and theater, brings

coffee shops are all major gathering

the community together with frequent

places. “There are groups, mainly

events and family-friendly activities.

retirees, that go to the local fast

The Dan River also provides “a good resource for recreation,” according to a leader, while another leader noted how “all the municipalities have festivals.” For example, Eden’s annual RiverFest

food restaurants in the mornings and have their social gatherings,” noted one leader. Another mentioned how restaurants are where people gather to

celebrates the area’s art, history, and

“talk about different things occurring

river heritage and “appeals to all

in the community.” Meanwhile, a

generations and ethnic groups,” said a

high school student named places

leader. People across the county also

like Starbucks, Cook Out, and Sheetz

value the local parks and trails.

as where they get together. “Those © The Harwood Institute/Reidsville Area Foundation

are main meetup spots for people,” they said. “It’s what really brings us together.” Churches are important gathering places. When asked about what brings people together, one leader simply noted “church happenings.” Another

we stayed in Reidsville.” Meanwhile,

leader added, “Churches are one of

a Williamsburg resident reflected on

those places where we all kind of come

why people stick to their own. “It’s like

together.” Indeed, many residents

families. This community, we help each

noted the importance of local churches

other. In the other communities, that’s

for connecting and socializing with

another family that is not physically

others. One Eden resident said, “I meet

connected to us,” they said. “So there’s a

people at church.” Another in Reidsville

different feeling even though we’re all in

mentioned, “If you don’t go to church on

the same county.”

Sunday, you very seldom get to socialize with people.” But what churches offer

People want more social gathering

isn’t limited to Sundays alone. Thinking

places. Despite the gathering places

of what happens through their church, a

that do exist, people across the county,

leader said, “They have something going

including this Rockingham Community

on every night.”

College student, often said, “There’s not

WHAT LIES BEHIND People stick to their own. One leader noted how this tendency plays out in relation to social gathering places by

a lot to do here, unfortunately.” A leader expanded on that, noting, “There’s not a ton of social places or activities we can take advantage of in our community.” Many people talk about leaving the

saying, “The people that live in Eden

county to access things to do in Danville

go to the ones in Eden, the people in

or Greensboro as a result. One Madison

Reidsville go to the ones in Reidsville. We

resident said, “There’s a lot of things you

need that central something.” Another

can do in Greensboro, but it’d be nice if

leader described the different towns

you had things that you can do locally.”

and communities around Rockingham

This concern is leading some people to

County as each being in a “small silo.”

consider leaving. “I don’t plan to stay

They explained, “You don’t really cross

because I want my kids to have things to

over. If you lived in Bethany, you stayed

do and not have to go 30 minutes to do

in Bethany. I grew up in Reidsville,

it,” one Stoneville resident said.

Organized Spaces for Interaction

noted how the Digital Inclusion Coalition works to “get everybody in the community broadband access, free

Organized Spaces for Interaction—

Wi-Fi locations, digital devices, and

where people can come together to

training.” The Food Council also aims

learn about, discuss, and often act on

to coordinate food pantries and other

community challenges. These spaces

service providers to ensure people’s

help a community begin to identify

basic needs are met, and the KidsReady

and tap existing resources to address

Initiative works to convene leaders

common concerns.

to find solutions to a lack of quality

WHAT’S GOING ON Various spaces bring leaders together around key issues. Some spaces tackle economic development concerns, including those organized by Rockingham County Economic Development, Rockingham Community College, and local chambers of

childcare options. Some spaces have created important impact. One education leader highlighted how, “We worked with the Rockingham County Economic Development to start a brand-new career and technical education high school housed on the Rockingham

commerce. Meanwhile, Rockingham County Health Collaborative formed because “there needed to be a coordination of services” to address issues like “active living, behavioral health, and substance misuse,”

“There’s more talk and appearing to act than action.”

according to a leader. Another leader 30

Community College campus that had its first class of freshmen enrolled this year.” The Rockingham County Health Collaborative “identified lots of needs in our community” and is now trying to “drive some projects forward,” according to another leader. On top of that, a leader noted what the Digital

There’s a feeling among many leaders that different entities rarely work together effectively.

Inclusion Coalition has been able to accomplish with support from Reidsville Area Foundation. “I led a project to

wondered, “What does collaboration

provide broadband internet to 4,000

look like to where we’re all actually doing

houses,” they said. “We finished the first

something and not just talking about it?”

phase and then started a second and third phase for 2,000 more houses.” WHAT LIES BEHIND Spaces need to produce more action.

There isn’t a widespread ethic of working together. There’s a feeling among many leaders that different entities rarely work together effectively.

Despite some spaces producing

“The municipalities in the county do not

meaningful action, one leader felt,

work well together,” a leader noted. That

“There’s more talk and appearing to

lack of collaboration keeps growth from

act than action.” In fact, the tendency

happening.” This pattern of working

for organized spaces of all kinds to be

in silos rather than collaborating goes

mostly talk came up repeatedly across

beyond municipalities. One leader

leader interviews. A second leader

explained how they tried and failed

described their experience with one

to get local organizations to “come

group this way: “I have never seen

together.” “They’re still separate

progress from that group. I went to four

because I guess someone doesn’t want

or five meetings, they said the exact

to give up their territory or whatever,”

same things. It just wasn’t moving, so

this leader said. What’s more, limited

I have not attended any more.” Yet

resources lead some groups to “put

another leader noted, “I go to a lot of

their head down and do the work,” in

organization meetings and it’s the same

the words of another leader. Even when

people at every meeting. They are a

leaders do get together, follow-up can

group of people that want to talk but

be weak. One leader captured it this

never do anything.” Another leader

way: “When we get together, it’s great,

it’s fun, we kumbaya. But then, after the

involved in organized spaces, one leader

events are over, it’s like, ‘You’re over

said, “I guess if we’re talking about

there, we’re over here.’”

regular individuals that don’t have a

Spaces are limited to a small circle of

leaders. “Those involved in discussions about community issues are somewhat

even know where to start.” Another leader attributed the lack of residents being included in spaces to “default”

of a closed loop of individuals with

rather than “design” because of where

titles associated with institutions,” a leader explained. Indeed, many people say organized spaces are composed

spaces are held and who organically gets invited. “It’s not that anybody says or implies that you’re not welcome,” they

of the same small group of leaders

said. Residents, meanwhile, don’t feel

where “everybody is the director of

included and don’t think their voices

something.” One leader said, “You

matter. One Rockingham Community

generally see the same people just

College student said: “If [a suggestion]

about anywhere you go.” Others note how this small group of leaders can lack

comes from the right person, then it gets

diversity. “You’re not seeing new people,

heard and acted on. If not, it just gets

you’re not seeing younger people. You’re

pushed away.”

seeing an older generation of people doing these things,” one leader said. “If others showed up, they definitely would feel unwelcomed.” Residents’ perspectives are usually

leadership position, I think they wouldn’t

Catalytic Organizations Catalytic Organizations—that help engage people in public life, spur discussion on community challenges,

not included. On whether or not

and marshal a community’s resources

residents and their perspectives were

to move forward. These organizations

help lay the foundation for community

is when “the foundation coordinated

action, but do not always act as the

with the county to conduct a massive

driving force.

behavioral health analysis of the county,”

WHAT’S GOING ON The Reidsville Area Foundation convenes leaders and catalyzes important efforts. “The Reidsville Area

shared one leader. “We’re now creating a plan and implementing a plan.” Churches and faith-based organizations serve those in need. Churches are widely lauded for their

Foundation brings everybody to the

service efforts within and beyond

table,” said one leader. The Foundation’s

their congregations. “Churches do a

convening power is widely felt across

lot and support a lot of Rockingham

the county, including through its Racial

County,” a Wentworth resident said. “I

Equity Learning Community. One

think they’re doing more than a lot of

leader explained, “If the Reidsville Area

other organizations.” People offered

Foundation didn’t exist, I don’t know if

various examples—from collecting

community leaders would get together.”

clothing donations to supporting the

And the Foundation’s efforts go well

homeless population to holding blood

beyond convening. They have helped

drives and other community events.

spark multiple important efforts to

But many people especially noted the

address community needs. One example

work churches and local faith-based

organizations do to meet people’s

Development Center, which is really

basic food needs. “L.O.T. 2540 is a faith

great, really state-of-the-art.” People

ministry that does food pantries and

also see Rockingham Community

other programs in the county,” noted

College working hard to engage the

a leader. Another leader pointed to

entire county. As another leader said, “It

how churches work together to meet

doesn’t matter where in the county you

students’ food needs through backpack

go, Rockingham Community College

programs, saying, “There’s a really well-

reaches out to businesses to ask, ‘What

organized effort by a lot of our churches

is your workforce pipeline? What is

to make sure that kids get food on

something you need? How can we help

the weekends.”

you be successful?’ They listen and it’s amazing.”

Rockingham Community College is

a key asset. “Rockingham Community

Residents name other key

College is fantastic. That’s our strength,”

organizations. Each of the three

said one leader. This sentiment is

chambers of commerce in the county

widely shared. As one Eden resident

was highlighted for convening,

said, “the opportunities, the education,

connecting, and developing leaders

the things that they’re providing are

across different sectors. The United

amazing.” One leader recalled how

Way of Rockingham County “plays

the sales tax referendum to expand

an important role” in helping meet

Rockingham Community College was

people’s needs countywide. NC 100 is

“one of the rare times where both

also respected and appreciated, with

sides of the political spectrum came

leaders noting their S.O.A.R. program,

together. We constructed this Workforce

the key role they play in the Digital

Inclusion Coalition, and how they “support anybody in the community who wants to start something.” Meanwhile, Home of Refuge Outreach does critical work to serve the area’s homeless population. Other important organizations include local healthcare providers Cone Health Annie Penn Hospital, Ancora Compassionate Care, and UNC Health Rockingham; local fire stations and food pantries; the Salvation Army; Aging, Disability & Transit

There’s just not a spirit of collaboration

Services of Rockingham County; and the

and cooperation here,” they explained.

Rockingham Partnership for Children.

Still, some efforts seek to create stronger

WHAT LIES BEHIND

ways of working together. “We are really trying to bring the nonprofits together

Many organizations are focused on

more from different areas of the county

“are working mainly independently,”

“It’s a work in progress.”

one leader reflected. “They don’t see

Organizations compete for limited

their own work. Most organizations

that advantage to collaborate.” Another leader explained different reasons for this: “Sometimes they don’t have the time or resources to collaborate. Sometimes it could be that they just want to start a program or initiative and don’t take the time to consider other people’s thoughts.” Meanwhile, a third leader shared frustration trying to get two different groups to work together. “We can’t even get them to talk together.

into the same space,” one leader said.

resources. “Everybody’s competing

for finite dollars. There’s always a little bit of competition under the surface,” a leader shared. Another leader said, “We have multiple organizations trying to tackle the same problem in the county. They’re probably competing for the same grant money, the same resources.” Some leaders, like this one, feel the competition over scarce resources leads

“How do we break down the silos and really partner together?”

organizations to be “protective over

Coalition, the Health Collaborative,

what they perceive as valuable resources,

NC 100, and other local groups have

so sometimes that may prohibit

accomplished. Yet there’s an appetite

information sharing.” Still, yet another

to unleash more catalytic efforts that

leader felt, “We’d be a whole lot better if

more deeply address the community’s

we would just all work together and not

pressing challenges. “It seems like

compete for resources.”

there’s a lot of energy throughout the

There’s a desire for more shared efforts. “I think organizations want to work together,” one leader felt. “Sometimes they don’t know how.” Many people feel the community could do and accomplish more if organizations worked together better. But working together is not the norm. As another leader quoted in the introduction explained, “I think the biggest challenge is getting everybody to the same table and rowing in the same direction. There are so many groups working on stuff but it’s not collective and it’s not done in partnership.” “How do we break down the silos and really partner together?” wondered a different leader. They didn’t know. Still, the community’s future depends on more organizations finding stronger ways to work together. A final leader said, “That’s the whole key right there: Collaboration.”

county. There’s an appetite for how we make our community better,” noted one leader. Another built on that by saying, “I think that we have a community who is ready to do something big. They just don’t know how.” The community can start by building on the good efforts that already exist.

Safe Havens for Decision-Makers Safe Havens for Decision-Makers—here a community’s leaders can deliberate and work through community concerns in “unofficial,” candid discussions. WHAT’S GOING ON Some leaders have trusted circles. “Whatever is on my mind, I typically feel pretty safe within the circles that I run in,” reported one leader. Often,

The community can build on

these trusted circles have developed

existing catalytic efforts. As noted

“organically from working in the

earlier, Reidsville Area Foundation,

community,” according to another

local chambers of commerce, and

leader. They continued, “There’s

Rockingham County Economic

leaders I worked with that will go to

Development have catalyzed important

lunch together and say, ‘What are you

efforts. The community is also rightfully

seeing? This is what I’m seeing.’” Others

proud of what the Digital Inclusion

note particular coffee shop gatherings

“Open discourse is not welcome and it’s not worth the effort to try. So people stay in their likeminded groups.” WHAT LIES BEHIND

or regularly-scheduled meetups with leaders in similar positions to them as

Leaders feel they must watch what

important safe havens. “The municipal managers have lunch monthly to keep a close relationship and discuss common issues with positive outcomes,” a

havens, others fear what they say won’t be held in confidence. “Stuff’s being discussed in what you would think will be

leader shared.

a safe place,” one leader said. “Then the information gets out.” This means many

Leaders feel most comfortable in certain spaces. “A lot of times restaurant settings,” a leader noted before rattling off examples of places they’ve seen leaders get together that qualify as safe

leaders feel they must tread carefully during conversations. “I feel like I live in a glass house,” a leader shared. “One wrong move, and people will cast stones at you.” Another leader said, “If I was

havens: “Bob’s Restaurant in Madison,

to tell the truth and someone doesn’t

Mom’s Country Kitchen in Wentworth,

agree, they might not talk to me again,

the Bojangles in Eden.” Another leader

and then they’re spreading rumors.”

provided their own example, saying, “A

Ultimately, there isn’t widespread trust

bunch of people go to Sanitary Cafe a

between and among leaders.

few mornings a week and we’ll discuss

Leaders tend to stay in likeminded

the world’s problems.” Others echoed

spaces. Given the prevailing fear and

the larger sentiment, with one saying,

lack of widespread trust, leaders “stay

“The [safe havens] you have are like

in their group of people that think like

these little mom-and-pops. There’s

they say. While some leaders find safe

they do,” according to one leader.

certainly networks connected to that.

Further explaining why, that leader

People go there every day.” Outside of

continued: “Open discourse is not

restaurants, multiple leaders pointed to

welcome and it’s not worth the effort to

how Reidsville Area Foundation provides

try. So people stay in their likeminded

a “safe haven where people gather.”

groups.” For some, this tendency to © The Harwood Institute/Reidsville Area Foundation

stay in “likeminded” spaces is a result of

“definitely one of those people who

politics. “The political environment here

gets others involved.” These sentiments

in the county has driven a lot of divides,”

came up repeatedly across different

felt a leader. A third leader said, “People

conversations. In addition, many see

feel like they’re right and they want

leadership present in their local churches

people to agree with them so I think they

among laypeople. For example, one

surround themselves with people that

youth said, “I know my old teacher at

agree with them.”

elementary school, she still helps out at

Strong, Diverse Leadership Strong, Diverse Leadership—that extends to all layers of a community, understands the concerns of the community as a whole, and serves

the church.” And a Williamsburg resident spoke about a woman in their church who stood out as a leader, saying, “She knows the heartbeat of the community and knows how to connect people with resources.”

as a connector among individuals

“We trust the people we see.” Beyond

and organizations throughout

faith leaders, residents across different

the community.

parts of the county point to people in

WHAT’S GOING ON

their local area they see stepping up. In Madison, one resident mentioned a

People see leaders at church, both

school resource officer because, “He

clergy and laypeople. Pastors and faith

takes care of our children ever since my

leaders are noted as “highly respected”

son was in middle school at Western

for their work serving the community.

Rockingham.” Over in Bethany, a

Residents in Eden highlighted a local

resident highlighted someone at the fire

pastor as “one of the biggest voices

department for being “a big community

in this community.” And a faith leader

person” and “a walking history book.”

whose congregation draws from

An Eden resident named someone

Western Rockingham was noted as

involved with NCWorks Career Center

because, “She cares. She makes a difference. I’ve seen the impact she’s had on people who were in prison who are now home.” And for people in Western Rockingham, a “Ms. Mary” rose to the fore because, “She’s a person that will

“It’s a very small group who hold power and control in the county.”

involve the entire community.” Many residents feel disconnected from

with that group… ‘I ain’t got time to

elected leaders. “Our politicians won’t

deal with you.’” Many feel this “small

talk to us unless it’s election season,” a

power structure” holds the community

Williamsburg resident reported. People widely feel elected leaders fail to keep

back. One Wentworth resident said, “A person can be in a position for too long,

the community in their line of sight. An

they become complacent and forget the

Eden resident felt, “Some of them may

reason they’re there, which is to serve the

listen to their constituents, but most of them don’t.” Some people thus believe that “people are making decisions for us and not asking us until after it’s done,” according to a Williamsburg resident. Others feel promises get made without any follow-through, like this Madison resident, who said, “When you say you’re going to do something for me and my community, do it. Don’t sugarcoat it. Don’t sell me ice cream and when you get in there give me sugar-free ice cream.” It’s adding up to a disconnect that frustrates residents. There’s a closed power circle. “It’s a very small group who hold power and control in the county,” named one leader. “Others often feel that, because of this, they don’t need to get involved or it’s hopeless to try.” An Eden resident added, “You got the good old buddy buddy system. If you’re not associated 40

community.” Meanwhile, a leader said,

affects the way people interact more

“The people who are in charge surround

broadly. They said, “There’s such

themselves with likeminded people. It

a strong political connection that

helps them stay in power, it helps them

anyone who speaks about the need for

build influence.” But, they concluded,

collaboration and working together feels

“That’s not healthy.” WHAT LIES BEHIND

almost threatened.” Leaders see a need to pull the

Politics gets in the way of leaders

community together. “Are they pulling

working together. “Politics has

together or pulling apart?” one leader

become more of a divide,” said a leader.

wondered. “They probably want to work

“There’s no way that [some leaders] can

together to benefit Rockingham County

come together to continue moving us

as a whole, but I think people want to

forward.” Another leader noted how

hold onto their special identity.” Another

the community was “in the middle of a political pull right now that just keeps everybody on edge, whoever they voted for.” These fractures get in the way of more leaders pulling

leader called for people to “put politics aside and work together as a team.” But, they admitted, “That’s very difficult to do.” There’s no clear-cut way forward.

in the same direction. As one said,

Leaders are asking, in the words of one,

“If you don’t have a unified group in

“What can we do? What strategies,

government and leadership, it does

what resources can we pull together

affect where we’re going.” Another

to help?” There’s an opportunity here.

built on that by speaking to how it

As a Rockingham Community College

student said, “There’s more steps that

having the same leaders doing all the

could be taken to bring the community

same things, then I don’t think it’s going

closer together.”

to change a whole lot.”

Residents seek more present, the current conditions, the community

Informal Networks and Links

is calling out for more leaders of all

Informal Networks and Links—that

types to step forward and lead the

connect various individuals, groups,

community in a more hopeful direction.

organizations, and institutions together

During a conversation in Bethany,

to create a cross-fertilization effect of

residents rattled off descriptors for

experiences, knowledge, and resources.

what leadership should look like and do:

People carry and spread ideas,

“Communicate with the community.”

messages, and community norms from

“Be comfortable being uncomfortable.”

place to place.

engaged leaders of all types. Amid

“Transparent and visible.” People in a

WHAT’S GOING ON?

conversation at Huntsville Elementary

shared similar phrases, with one

Local chambers foster strong business

addition: “Representative of everyone.”

networks. “The Chamber does a good

There aren’t yet enough leaders in the

job with their outreach towards business

community with these characteristics.

in the community and employees of

As one leader reflected, “If we stay stuck

businesses as well,” a leader said.

Another leader summed up a recurring

Party holds a monthly “Coffee and

sentiment: “The Chamber is my place for

Conversation” in downtown Reidsville

networking.” Leaders readily highlighted

where “elected officials come and

different events and programs offered

speak to us, and people get to ask

by the three chambers in the county

questions.” This network also fosters

where this networking occurs, including

a leadership pipeline to local elected

the annual Women’s Conference, the

offices. “The Rockingham Republicans,

Business Expo, annual chamber dinners,

they line up who’s going to run for

and monthly coffee meetups. Leadership

which office,” a leader said. “It’s very

Rockingham—launched through a

organized to maintain their control of

partnership of all three chambers

the county.” In fact, many people voice

working together—stands out for the

concerns about the political dynamics

way it develops “newer talent from

driven by this network and how it can

across the county.”

feel divisive and discourage broader

Faith networks are important.

participation. As one leader said, “The political dynamics in this county have

“Churches in the community are still a

substantially impacted our community.

huge part of bringing people together,

They fight so much that, if anything, we

helping the community,” one leader

take steps backwards instead of moving

said. The Dan Valley Missionary Baptist

forward.” These concerns highlight an

Association is a faith network that

opportunity for local political networks

another leader described as “woven

to embrace a different approach to help

throughout Rockingham County. They

the community move forward.

are just the hands and feet, like making things happen.” A third leader noted how the community is home to both “formal and informal ministry alliances” that connect faith leaders and seek to meet people’s basic needs. Meanwhile, the official Ministerial Alliance plays an important role in fostering a network of faith leaders—especially Black faith leaders—that spans congregations in

An important nonprofit network is

developing. “There’s a growing network involving nonprofits, some churches, and foundations that interact, form partnerships, support each other, and spread norms of how to operate in the community,” a leader shared. “Reidsville Area Foundation and NC 100 have been instrumental in developing this group.”

the county.

Others noted the “really strong grantee

There’s a powerful conservative

has fostered, especially in recent

political network. One leader

years. And a third leader highlighted

described how the local Republican

something called Working Wednesdays,

network” that Reidsville Area Foundation

“which is a group of nonprofits that get together, centered around making sure organizations aren’t overstepping each other and doing the same things.” Describing what they see happening broadly among local nonprofits, one

“There’s not a bunch of crossover between groups.”

leader concluded, “There’s a push to bring those organizations together and coordinate instead of competing over the same dollars.”

know.” One leader named a prevailing

WHAT LIES BEHIND

to be in the loop or have somebody

sentiment when they said, “You have adjacent to you that’s in the loop to

People tend to stay in their comfort

get involved.” Eden and Wentworth

zones. “I think people are comfortable

residents used the same phrase to

in their comfort zone with likeminded

describe people’s ability to know what’s

folk,” explained one leader. “You’ve

going on and get involved: “Depends

got these little pockets,” echoed a

on who you know.” A Rockingham

Reidsville resident. “I’m sure there’s other organizations that I’m not involved with that do similar things. You’ve got folks talking, but we talk in silos.” A high school student spoke to how they see

Community College student shared about how their family moved to the community years ago and struggled to get involved “solely because they weren’t related to certain people or

this phenomenon at school. “You’re gonna have people who are all active in sports, you’ll have people who do more of the artistic stuff, the STEM stuff…”

didn’t have childhood friendships with certain people.” “You got cliques,” is how a Bethany resident summed up the way local networks operate. “It’s

they said. “There’s not a bunch of crossover between groups.” Meanwhile,

Networks are driven by “who you

unfortunate, but you do.”

a leader reported an experience they

Civic networks have waned. “Our

had trying to foster a network across

different civic clubs are important,”

different towns. “We created what we

named one leader, thinking of groups

called Lunch Bunch. We all have lunch

like Kiwanis, Rotary, and the Lions Club.

together and go to different areas of the

But, they continued, “I see a lot of

county,” they explained. “Nobody from

members getting older and you don’t

the Madison area participated. Nobody

see quite as many members as you

from the Eden area participated. I never

used to in these civic groups.” Noticing

could understand that.”

leader to say, “I think their impact has

taking action. People play an active role

kind of waned over the decades.” People

in helping decide how the community

offered various explanations for this.

should act.

A Reidsville resident felt there was a

WHAT’S GOING ON

stronger ethic of “volunteerism when we were young.” Meanwhile, a second Reidsville resident felt, “They’re not recruiting. They all stand for a sense of

Government spaces exist but aren’t designed for real discussion. “People have the opportunity to come to City Council,” one leader reported. “But

community, but they’re not getting out

as far as a true community meeting of

here in the community to make other

any kind, there is not one of those.”

people a part of it.”

One problem with government spaces being people’s main opportunities for

Conscious Community Discussion Conscious Community Discussion— where a community has ample

engagement is, “you have a limited time in which you can respond, they may not be able to get to the gist of what they really want to say,” according to one leader. Others reinforced how the legally-mandated structure of

opportunity to think about and sort

public meetings impedes authentic,

through its public concerns before

productive discussion. “When people go

to school board meetings, nothing gets

off examples, like “listening sessions”

solved because it just turns into a big

hosted by the health department or

argument,” a Wentworth resident said.

forums by local political parties “in which

A leader summed up the constraints this

people are talking about the problems

way: “It’s not really even conversation.

of the community.” But “as far as the

Just comments.”

general population, there’s not really

Deeper discussion happens in isolated pockets. Some examples of community discussion do exist. But, according to one leader, “It’s very much in isolation.”

a lot,” one leader indicated. As to why that’s the norm, another leader felt, “In my experience, very rarely does the public come.”

In their part of the county, another

People want more community

leader went so far as to say, “There’s

discussion. During a conversation in

never really been an open forum to talk

Bethany, residents were asked about how

about issues people are concerned

often people get together to talk about

about.” Still, some people offered one-

what matters to them. “All the time,” one

“If you say anything dissenting, you get absolutely eaten alive, so why do that?”

resident chimed in. But, a second noted,

get discouraged talking about it.”

“Not really at an organized meeting.”

Meanwhile, a Madison resident saw

Someone in a Williamsburg conversation

a need for “getting people involved”

underscored the importance of having

and helping more people understand

these conversations with the community,

“your voice does make a difference.”

rather than in private circles. “I think

But right now, many people feel

these are conversations that we’re having

speaking up won’t make a difference.

at home anyway, but when they’re more

As one Wentworth resident wondered,

public they have the opportunity to

“What’s the point of my ideas if I’m

make a difference.” One high school

constantly rejected?”

student emphasized a similar point, saying, “[Conversations] could inspire

Fear of backlash undermines

somebody. They could pick up on

engagement. One leader simply said,

something they hear, stand up, and

“Fear is a big factor” as to why people

choose to be that change.” Still, many

don’t engage. One Reidsville resident

people, including this Eden resident, are

added, “If you say anything dissenting,

left wondering: “Where is the table? So

you get absolutely eaten alive, so why do

that whoever wants to come, it’s open for

that?” That led another leader to explain

them to have these conversations.”

what they felt it would take for people

WHAT LIES BEHIND People feel their voices don’t matter.

to engage: “There has to be some really defined ground rules for people to feel safe and not be repercussions from that

“It doesn’t matter what we think,” a

conversation,” they said. “And I really

Wentworth resident claimed. “We

don’t feel like the county’s anywhere

are not heard, we are not listened to.”

near that right now.” Some residents

This sentiment came up across nearly

called on themselves to engage

every conversation in the county. As

regardless. “Yes, it’s scary. Yes, you may

one Eden resident said, “We have

get shut down. But at some point, we

solutions and you take it to the powers

just have to speak up and say what we

that be… nothing is done. So people

need to say,” a resident in the Huntsville

conversation said. Nonetheless, the prevailing fear of backlash speaking up stops many people from engaging. People tend to talk with likeminded people. “There’s not a lot of discussion between individuals that may have

“Our national politics set the tone for conversations in this community.”

different opinions on things,” explained one leader. A Rockingham Community College student concurred, saying,

more productive kind of discussion is

“You’re going to cling to the people

possible. “If we try to have a more open

who like you.” A leader reinforced that,

mind to everyone’s ideas and differences

saying, “Different people are in their

of opinions, then we could possibly

own place. Again, I’m going back to

enact change,” a Wentworth resident

that silo idea.” Meanwhile, an Eden

said. “But it takes all of us.”

resident spoke to a common tendency they see. “A lot of people get together where friends are. You talk amongst your friends,” they explained. “But your friends are not going to go out and do

Community Norms for Public Life—that

anything. We can all talk about it but it

help guide how people act individually,

stays in the room.”

interact, and work together. These

Politics gets in the way. “What divides, in this county, is politics,” a Bethany resident said. A resident in the Huntsville Elementary conversation expanded by

Community Norms for Public Life

norms set the standards and tone for civic engagement. WHAT’S GOING ON

saying, “There’s a lot of political division

People take care of each other.

in this community. Our national politics

A Williamsburg resident said, “If

set the tone for conversations in this

somebody’s having a problem, you let

community.” The tendency for national

somebody know and word spreads.

divisiveness to seep into local discussion

People will do what they can to help

led one Stoneville resident to say

out.” This ethic of helping others in

every conversation feels like a “battle.”

response to individual needs is universal

“Who do you voice your opinions to

across the county. As one Bethany

that’s going to have an impact?” they

resident said, “People care for each

wondered. Despite the political divide,

other. They will reach out to help each

people are hopeful that a different and

school student noted how, “When something happens to someone, we come together. I think our community is better than almost any out there. We really feel like a family.” “We live in our silos.” One leader put it simply when they said, “Truly, the communities are silos.” But, as a second leader noted, “Those little micro

“There are so many different groups of people working on stuff, but it’s not collective and it’s not done in partnership.”

communities, they’re very tight-knit.” Yet another leader described the effect that having “close-knit community in

for a common goal,” voiced one leader.

pockets” produces. “So Reidsville,

But that’s not currently happening

you know all about Reidsville things.

often enough in Rockingham County.

Madison or Mayodan, you know all about

Another leader explained, “I don’t think

those things,” this leader said. But ties

there’s a successful track record of

between different areas are few and far

pulling people from across the county.

between. As one leader said, “You’re either Western Rock or you’re Eden or you’re Reidsville. You kind of don’t go into those other places.”

[Efforts are] very much isolated in the organization that you work in.” Others emphasized an earlier point about how “silos” prevail. “There are so many

“We don’t work together.” “If you

different groups of people working on

want to get things done, you gotta

stuff, but it’s not collective and it’s not

collaborate, you gotta work together

done in partnership,” one leader said.

Despite this norm, many want to figure

“We’re not in it together.” During

out new and more productive ways to

conversations, residents were asked on

work together.

a scale of one to 10 how “in it together” the community is. “Well, when you’re in

WHAT LIES BEHIND

Madison, they’re in it together in that city. It’s a seven. Reidsville’s a seven.

People feel stifled. “When you try

Eden’s a seven,” a Reidsville resident

to be involved in things, you just face

explained. “When you put it as a county,

rejection every time,” one Rockingham

it’s a negative four.” A Mayodan resident

Community College student explained.

shared a similar thought: “I think at

“You get used to that mentality of, ‘Well,

the town level, it’s almost eight, nine,

I’m just going to look out for myself.’” A Madison resident spoke to a similar sentiment: “When you hear ‘can’t’ so many times, it just gets tiring.” Leaders and residents across the county related experiences of getting shut down when trying to create change or propose new ideas. “People don’t get out front and do things because once you start pushing things forward, everybody in the community wants to dog you out,” said

“I think a lot of people see eye to eye, but they just don’t know what actions to take or they don’t have the outlets to take any action.”

an Eden resident. 50

“I think we all know that a change needs to happen.”

or 10 to me. Locals want the good for

trying. As one leader said, “People that

the community. The county is a little

would be open…don’t want to fight

different to me.” People offered various

the fight.”

reasons for this. As one leader noted,

A Shared Purpose for the Community

“People are willing to go the extra mile in their family, church community, and organization. But if they’re not associated with something, I think there’s very much not a willingness to do that.”

A Shared Purpose for the Community— that sends an explicit message about the community’s aspirations and helps

As one high school student said, “As a

reinforce that everyone is headed toward

community, we should come together,

a common goal.

but I feel like we don’t really have strong ties.” People want to re-engage but don’t know how. A Reidsville resident felt, “We have people that want to better

WHAT’S GOING ON People express a desire for change. “I think we all know that a change needs to happen,” said one Stoneville resident. People across the community share this

the community, but the problem is the

yearning to create change that will help

ideas are old and we’ve continued to

the community thrive. “At the end of the

push more of the same old, same old,

day, we all live in the same community

same old.” Many people don’t know

and we want this ideal of a better life

where to go to make a difference. “I

and that should bring people together,”

think a lot of people see eye to eye, but

said a Rockingham Community College

they just don’t know what actions to take or they don’t have the outlets to take any action,” explained a Rockingham Community College student also quoted

student. Another Stoneville resident noted their aspiration was “creating community.” “It’s about creating what you want in your hometown,” they said. While people aren’t yet creating this

earlier. Other pressures—like divisive

change amid the community’s broader

politics, not feeling seen and heard,

challenges, many remain hopeful that

and fear of backlash—stop people from

change is possible.

The community wants to better

“People want to make a difference.”

support youth. While some people

Now, it’s time for more people to

speak about a need for change broadly,

step forward.

others lean toward a desire to create change for youth. This Bethany resident

WHAT LIES BEHIND

offered a typical response about

An ingrained negative narrative says

people’s hopes for the future: “We want our kids to do well.” A Mayodan resident

change can’t happen. “We can voice our opinion but I don’t think nothing

added, “Everyone in this room would

will ever change,” a Stoneville resident

agree we want the best for our children

said. “That’s what discourages us.”

and the youth in our community.” But

Despite a widespread desire for change,

the community says they currently aren’t

a negative narrative that “nothing’s

doing enough to support youth. “Most

going to change” holds people back.

of the young people, after they graduate,

“People look at this community like,

they don’t come back here,” an Eden

‘There’s nothing in Rockingham County.

resident said. People urgently want to

Nothing good comes out of here.’ I

address this concern over youth leaving

know that’s not true,” one Reidsville

and not having enough to do while here.

resident said. Still, it’s a narrative that’s

There’s a need for more leadership of all kinds. “When I was a kid, it seemed

taken hold due to the decline people feel, the numerous challenges facing the community, and the barriers people

like maybe 30% of the community did

experience to getting involved. It’s also

100% of the work. Now, it’s maybe 10%

part of why many people have retreated

of the community,” a Reidsville resident

from community life. “There’s definitely

felt. Today, people are looking for new

a lot of apathy,” one leader noted. Past

leadership of all kinds to better carry the load and energize the community. “Everyone wants to help. We just need the leader to take the leadership position,” a Rockingham Community College student said. Relatedly, a leader emphasized how being a leader didn’t require an official title. Instead, they said, a leader, “is someone that finds the problem, finds the need, moves forward with it, and motivates people to make

Despite a widespread desire for change, a negative narrative that “nothing’s going to change” holds people back.

change.” A second leader simply said, 52

failures have deepened this apathy. “I think we try to swing for the fences and when we miss, it just leads to more apathy,” another leader said. Many people are seeking just to get by. “It’s just a rat race,” one Reidsville resident said. “Everyone’s so busy with their lives.” Others echoed that refrain,

People across the community voice a yearning to move from being “divided” and “separate” to “united.”

including this Williamsburg resident who said, “Everybody’s so busy. The kids take dance, soccer, travel ball,

one leader said, “I don’t think there’s

so parents are busy.” Still others feel

a lot of opportunity for people to

families face pressures beyond just

come together.” Beyond just needing

being “busy,” including this Reidsville

more opportunities, others feel a lack

resident who said, “I need my energy to

of communication gets in the way of

go towards staying okay with my current

coming together. “There’s so many

circumstances.” Those “circumstances” for many border on a kind of “survival mode.” Either way, the outcome is that

things that all of us would like to see and know about and work on,” a Williamsburg resident said. “But nobody

many people focus on themselves.

knows because the information is not out

There’s a need to come together.

to find a way to come together. As one

People across the community voice a

resident in the Huntsville conversation

yearning to move from being “divided”

said, “We can push forward and start

and “separate” to “united.” But as

thriving if we work together.”

where we can see it.” Still, people want

🟥

Building the Community’s Civic Strength The people of Rockingham County cherish their community. They’re proud of where they live and how they show up for one another in times of need. Yet the area is facing many challenges and its civic culture has weakened over time. This report, Better Together: Creating a Shared Direction for Rockingham County is about how the community can overcome its silos, develop stronger

see meaningful progress, civic faith is

ways of working together, and create

renewed and a more positive narrative

a new sense of authentic hope by

begins to take root, grow, and spread.

going together.

In order to move forward, Rockingham

Let’s be clear: there’s a difference

County must grow its civic capacities and

between false hope and authentic hope.

pay attention to how change happens.

False hope is rooted in wishful thinking

This section outlines critical levers for

and setting unrealistic expectations that

accomplishing each. Doing one without

fail to deliver results. But when people

the other will continue to fragment the

see real action being taken on issues

community. Challenges will mount.

that matter to them, authentic hope

Frustration will deepen. Hope for a

grows. And as people work together and

better future will diminish.

In order to move forward, Rockingham County must grow its civic capacities and pay attention to how change happens.

None of that is inevitable. Rockingham

These civic capacities cannot be

County has strengths and assets to

developed by one entity; no single

build on as it seeks to move forward.

organization, leader, or group can do

Yet if people are really going to move

this alone. Nor can simply launching new or expanding existing strategies,

in a shared direction—and begin to

programs, and initiatives be the answer.

more deeply address the pressing

Communities need stronger civic

challenges facing the community—the community must create a new trajectory of hope. That starts with growing civic capacities and paying attention to how change happens.

Growing Civic Capacities

capacities to effectively move forward. Nothing can replace these. The good news is that building Rockingham County’s civic strength is actionable, doable, and achievable. Here are four areas to focus on: – Create more ways for residents to

Rockingham County must invest in and

be seen and heard. Throughout this

develop its civic capacities. Otherwise,

report, many residents express how

the community will remain stuck and

they do not feel seen and heard—

unable to get on a more hopeful path.

by one another, by leaders, and by different organizations and groups. What’s more, existing conversations are too often plagued by divisiveness and backlash toward those who offer different opinions. Thus, people need more opportunities to articulate their aspirations for moving forward and work through the tensions and tradeoffs that come with differing views. – Develop more leaders—and more

who are “turned outward.” Overall,

people say there aren’t enough leaders in the community, with too much placed on the shoulders of too few. Rockingham County thus needs more leaders of all types—and across all levels of the community—who are turned outward, have people 56

in their line of sight, and focus on

– Foster a stronger sense of shared

residents’ aspirations and concerns.

purpose. People love living in

Moreover, leaders must take people’s

Rockingham County and readily step

diverse perspectives into greater

forward to help each other in times

account in decision-making. This is

of need. But there remains a broader

critical to rebuilding deeper trust and

tendency for people to live separate

connection between the community

and apart, with different areas even

and its leaders.

in a kind of competition. That’s made

– Move from “getting together” to “working together.” People across Rockingham County name pressing issues that the community needs to address. But silos, a lack of cooperation, and negative public discourse get in the way. When leaders and organizations do get together, they report that meetings tend to produce a lot of talk but too little action. Today, there is an opportunity for the community to more broadly

shared purpose hard to come by, even within particular areas. Still, many people voice a desire—and a need— for change. To create this change, the community needs enough people to come together to cultivate a stronger sense of shared purpose. That can lay a foundation for more shared action that unleashes chain reactions of change.

How Change Happens

move from “getting together” to

Communities that are fragmented yet

actively “working together.” To do so,

seek to shape their own future must find

Rockingham County must develop new

ways to create a new trajectory of hope,

norms of having hard conversations,

with growing momentum and ever-

strengthening working relationships,

expanding civic confidence. Coming

and taking shared action.

together to take actionable, doable, and

achievable steps forward is critical. Then,

opportunities for youth. But the initial

it is possible to unleash a chain reaction

emphasis must be placed on creating

of actions and ripple effects that grows

wins. Starting too big, or taking on too

over time and spreads like a positive

much, will cause efforts to collapse

contagion. Through these actions, shared

under their own weight. As noted

purpose emerges.

throughout this report, actions that are already in motion can and should

Make no mistake: none of this happens all at once. There is no quick fix. Change only happens over time. Here are five important guideposts for how change can happen as Rockingham County seeks to go together:

real progress. – Demonstrate concrete action, however small. Taking real, concrete actions that address residents’ concerns are a down payment on

– Focus on areas that are ripe for

creating a new trajectory of hope. They

making progress. Right now, it is

serve as a foundation for making

critical to build civic confidence by

are also a requirement for generating

proving it is possible to address

lasting trust. For now, such actions

people’s concerns and that different

can be small. What matters most is

organizations and groups can work

that action occurs and that additional

together in more productive ways.

actions grow from there. This will

Efforts should focus on issues that are

demand disciplined, vigilant follow-

ripe for action, where the likelihood of

up from conversations and meetings.

creating momentum is high. This can

Silence, or further inaction, only

include hard, critical issues like a lack of

confirms people’s lack of trust.

– Build together, not apart. People

possible. Yet too often, the progress

develop trust and a sense of possibility

being made remains invisible to the

when they build together. This can

wider community. Sometimes it is even

take many forms, but make no mistake:

obscured from those who are helping

Building together is not about simply

to create it. Making the invisible visible

activating more volunteerism. It is

enables people to see that progress is

about forging new, common efforts

possible and that it’s happening. This

that go beyond one-off service projects

requires intentional efforts to identify

to more deeply address issues that

where progress is already happening in

matter to people. Nothing replaces

the community and where new actions

discovering the innate capabilities

are being taken. Then, it means lifting

and shared humanity of other people.

up and spreading those stories. One

Efforts should begin with those who

caution: Overstating results or glossing

are ready and willing to engage and

over challenges will undermine

grow through a series of intentional

authentic hope.

steps. At each turn, people must be open to discovering new partners and contributors who want to be a part of forging this shared path. – Make the invisible visible. Civic

– Be prepared for resistance and

actively address tension. Making progress will not magically eliminate disagreements, overcome people’s separation, or allay everyone’s

confidence and belief grow from

concerns. In fact, making progress

people seeing that progress is

might even intensify disagreement

in the short-term. Those who seek to move Rockingham County forward in a new way must prepare themselves for such resistance. Tension must be named and addressed, even though full consensus is not the goal. The work ahead is difficult. Finding allies for support and persevering through resistance are both imperative.

Rockingham County can come together and choose a shared direction, one that creates a new trajectory of hope.

The Path Forward Rockingham County is at a critical

What’s more, the solutions are right here

moment in its history. Staying on the current path will only deepen mistrust and disengagement. The good news is that Rockingham County can come together and choose a shared direction, one that

in the community. Rockingham County has the ability, the assets, and the people to create this shared direction. Now is the time to go together.

creates a new trajectory of hope. The investments highlighted above are key to doing so. 60