Momentum builds in 2017 and the unsung hero providing so much heart for our progress is the bold and giving nonprofit sector, woven tightly into the fabric of our Renaissance. These philanthropic organizations fill in the holes where government and business are not able, thus helping so many with medical care, housing, and even basic nutrition. All communities thrive when nonprofits thrive, lifting society up, and Spokane’s revival has certainly been spurred by our own nonprofits finding better ways to lend a hand.

Blessings Under the Bridge, founded by Jessica and Mike Kovac, is emblematic of the positive energy of local nonprofits. Serving more than 350 homeless people with nutritious meals weekly, its exciting outreach has been spurred by incredible innovation from a bright young boy named Avery Plank collecting pet food for homeless pets to the Kovacs’ boundless energy envisioning luaus and holiday gatherings, which grow exponentially in generosity. Delivering hope for homelessness in an equally generous manner, Union Gospel Mission under the inspiring leadership of Phil Altmeyer for 30 years recently moved their widely used women’s crisis shelter to a much larger and improved facility.

Help for every need is blossoming, including a new media lab in the downtown Spokane library which is helping patrons connect to technology, while the Country Library system unveiled a new magazine, Engage, which helps connect the dots on community togetherness. Our nonprofit hospital Providence pushes ahead in the uneven healthcare environment, initiating an Express Care Virtual to allow patients access to care without leaving their homes.

Famous servant-leader author Robert Greenleaf wrote: “Caring for persons, the more able and the less able serving each other, is the rock upon which a good society is built.” Our nonprofit sector is a force for good because they care, and because they care, our Renaissance continues.

Col. Brian Newberry, USAF ret. is current executive director of Leadership Spokane and former Commander, 92 ARW, Fairchild AFB.