“Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage.  Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” Augustine of Hippo

Covid-19 turned our world upside down and stirred the murkiness that sits below the surface.  There was not equitable access to resources in our society and those who are poor, rural, & communities of color did not get their health needs met during Covid-19. Families and communities were pitted against each other, and polarized individuals dug into their beliefs. Truth in all things has been questioned.  We no longer know what or who to believe.  Science is questioned, librarians are threatened, and freedom of speech has been used as a weapon.  The mud of a racist history is swirling around us all. Anger is all around us; anger at the way things are and anger at the way they used to be. I see American individualism and exceptionalism that leave us alone to forge ahead and face blame and uncertainty with little support from others.

Where do we find fresh air to breathe?

I have been walking the mountain paths this summer and noticing the weekly changes. The cold wet weather in June held back the wildflower blooms until much later than normal.  July brought a riot of flowers and grasses surging growth forward, for a while.  The sun burned hot, and no rain came, so soon the hills turned brown and crispy and dry.  Throughout this season of intense climate, I still encounter little pockets of lush and moist gardens.  They are tucked away amidst rocky slopes and tiny streams that give shelter and precious water.  Just yesterday I found an uncommon plant, Grass of Parnassus flower, brilliant white and delicate blooming with abandon in a verdant garden at 12,000 feet in August when most plants have gone to seed.  Parnassus is a sacred mountain in Greece and home to the Muses, who in ancient Greek Mythology were the protectors of the arts, learning, and creativity.  Natural structures create an ecosystem that also protects a tiny gem from intense sun and a drying climate.  We would be wise to learn from nature.

Ecosystems create environments where all can thrive.  Human ecosystems are working throughout Colorado because the answers emerge from the collective.  The Civic Canopy is in a unique position to support a multitude of collaboratives, coalitions, and communities who bring compassion and expertise to pivotal issues that impact civic life.  Our political and social environment is parched like sun-baked earth, but small collaborations are bringing life to new ideas, honest conversations, and hope for thriving communities.  Human ecosystems and collaborations change and adapt to new conditions building on the interconnectedness that holds the collective in place.

The infinity symbol serves us well as we see the fluid work of collective impact.  An idea championed by passionate leaders brings people together who have deep, and lasting relationships forged over time and through hope for their community. A collaborative is birthed with entrepreneurial spirit and structures developed to contain the energy for success.  Aligning ideas toward the same North Star and tracking the milestones along the way allow successful groups to recognize the path forward and to shelter the emerging solutions so they may flourish. Time, obstacles, and changes in leadership are all natural evolutions of collective work and can bring fresh ideas and new resources to the collaborative to sustain the ecosystem of community change.

There are traps along the way that can derail a collaborative and it is helpful to note when the group is in a certain mindset and work together to navigate these pitfalls.  The Scarcity Trap (too few resources to explore new ideas) may call for relationship-building and collective visioning.  The Rigidity Trap (the resistance to change) may call for re-grounding the group in values and guiding principles.  The Charisma Trap (over-dependence on original founder or leader) may need some structural shifts in leadership development.  The Chronic Disaster Trap (so much change results in spinning our wheels) may need a celebration of accomplishments. Successful coalitions have the courage to recognize the traps and The Civic Canopy has found these tools to help move a coalition forward.

Hope is flourishing throughout Colorado.  Housing Coalitions are uniting to find solutions to affordable homes for all. Public Health agencies are strengthening the collective response to COVID-19 by expanding the collaboration to seek solutions to a system that did not work for all.  Food coalitions engage all of us impacted by unhealthy food systems to nurture local people and produce. LGBTQ communities invite us all to include all voices in our organizations. Leadership is emerging from people of color to craft solutions in our own communities.

There are those of us who envision communities that function for everyone. Political vitriol and retaliation have stirred rage and divisiveness. Anger can however be a motivator to act. Perhaps anger at our current disillusionment will motivate us all to have the courage to join with those who are building ecosystems of hope and creating shelter from the storm.