Civi Coalition (Genesee Valley, NY)

Who Are They? A politically diverse team of educators addressing the urgent issue of political and social polarization by equipping fellow educators and students with the tools of civic education to foster understanding across differences. They believe that civic readiness—grounded in dialogue, inquiry, and informed action—is essential to bridging divides and strengthening democratic culture.

What Do They Do? Through the Civi Coalition (and awards), the team supports educators in modeling civil discourse and empowering students to engage in conversations that build empathy, common ground, and community resilience. Their work helps schools shift from avoidance of hard topics to spaces where civic engagement becomes a unifying force.

How are they walking “a patriot’s path”? Just as George Washington valued the inclusion of diverse perspectives, often bringing differing viewpoints to the table within his staff and cabinet to arrive at the best possible solutions, this value is foundational to the Civi Coalition.  In a time of deep division, the Civi Coalition sees the “push and pull” of perspectives in classrooms and communities not as a threat, but as a necessary process for achieving outcomes that serve the greater good.

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Farmington Bridge Builders (Farmington, MI)

Who Are They? A team of committed community members working to address and dispel the racial biases within the city government that historically influenced many aspects of community life in Farmington and Farmington Hill, Michigan.

What Do They Do? Through intentional connection and conversation - and by creating inclusive community events that bring diverse voices to the table - the team builds understanding and acceptance in the community. They have made great progress in addressing deep mistrust and tension between law enforcement and the black community by bridging gaps and building understanding across different racial, ethnic, and generational groups.

How are they walking “a patriot’s path?” Like George Washington, the group believes leadership means facing discomfort, recognizing the value in others across lines of difference, and working together for the greater good. This requires resilience, humility, and a long-term commitment to the well-being of all, even when the path forward is uncertain or challenging.

Needham Resilience Network (Needham, MA)

Who Are They? A team of diverse community leaders with significant influence in their own areas and networks of the community, all of whom were committed to working across differences with other leaders to drive toward solutions that increase belonging and wellbeing in Needham, MA.

What Do They Do? In 2020, the town of Needham, MA was at a boiling point. There was widespread distrust across partisan lines, racial lines, town official vs. resident lines, and a real lack of communication about how issues were being addressed, by whom, and how. It was clear that relationships of trust needed to be built - and institutionalized - across all lines of difference in Neeham. The Needham Resilience Network (NRN) thus established as a mechanism for bringing together cohorts of diverse community leaders to heed this call and address critical issues in the community, such as preventing and countering hate in Needham, as well as building awareness and education around emotional health and mental health.

How are they walking “a patriot’s path?” Much as George Washington ensured the founding of our nation included diverse voices and ideas that contributed to the co-creation of our democracy, the NRN recognizes the need for connection, the importance of diverse perspectives and a culture where people can disagree and still feel valued, and the practice of co-creation. 

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Walworth County Uniters (Walworth County, WI):

Who Are They? A team of individuals of different races, religions, and sexual orientations who span generations, education levels, political beliefs, and socioeconomic backgrounds, yet all have a common goal of making a positive difference in their community. Together they are committed to addressing the growing risk of targeted violence by tackling the root causes—particularly social isolation, untreated mental health challenges, and breakdowns in community trust.

What Do They Do? In Walworth County, where mental health resources are scarce and stigma remains high, people in crisis often slip through the cracks. To address this challenge, the team has not only created space for honest dialogue and building relationships across divides, but takes action to promote and support early access to local mental health resources for community members in order to prevent situations from escalating. Through community events that encourage fun, belonging and connection, the team is creating a safer, more connected county where all residents feel seen, supported, and valued, and have access to the mental health support they need.

How are they walking “a patriot’s path?” By intentionally crossing lines of division—whether political, social, or cultural—to foster understanding and unity within Walworth County. Just as Washington worked to bind a fractured nation through courage, dialogue, and shared purpose, the Walworth County Uniters engage diverse voices and build trust to tackle complex issues. They are strengthening the fabric of their community and laying the groundwork for a more productive, resilient society where everyone has a stake and a voice.

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We the People Warwick (Warwick, NY): 

Who Are They? We the People Warwick (WTPW) is an all-volunteer organization that embraces the richness of diverse perspectives and works to bring people together across lines of difference to co-create collaborative solutions to community problems. Since its founding in 2021, WTPW has transformed from a grassroots response to community tension into a trusted, cross-partisan force for connection and healing.

What Do They Do? The town of Warwick has experienced underlying political and racial/ethnic tensions for many years. In early 2021, a group of concerned residents came together with a shared purpose: to address the growing anger, mistrust, civic division, and fear affecting the community.  This led to the founding of WTPW and the creation of their Dialogue Series as well as participant-led Action Teams that organized to address the issues of greatest concern in the community, including polarization, social emotional wellness, and youth engagement. The Action Teams host regular programming, produce valuable resources to foster bridging, belonging and trust in the community, and have fostered strong partnership with numerous local organizations and businesses to ensure the sustainability of their mission and volunteer-driven action.

How are they walking “a patriot’s path?” By embracing the richness of diverse perspectives and remaining grounded in the belief that meaningful solutions arise when the full range of community experiences is acknowledged and valued. By staying true to their mission—to empower individuals, strengthen community ties, and foster positive change - the team is laying the groundwork for a lasting and meaningful impact in Warwick.

Learn More Here.