Local leaders from the nonprofit, government and faith sectors attended the Annual Global Peace Foundation Forum in Billings, Montana on October 28 to explore “The Role of the Family in Developing Moral and Innovative Leadership.”

Now in its third year, the annual forum is a model of community collaboration. The diverse group of leaders use the forum as a platform to not only highlight the greatest challenges facing the community, but also expand their network and share resources to solve them with collaborative long-term solutions.

“We are in need of reviewing our vision for family,” said Northwest Regional Director for GPF USA Michael Yakawich, “We see the need to support already existing institutions and organizations that have been working tirelessly to address the family. This forum offers more insights from the community and provides greater opportunities for collaboration and sharing of best practices.”

Government representatives from the state and local levels shared words from Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines, Congressman Greg Gianforte, and City of Billings Mayor Tom Hanel.

Directors from the nonprofit sector shared tools for success, including the Center for Children and Families, the Family Tree Center and Community Leadership and Development Inc. Forum attendees had the opportunity to engage in breakout sessions to workshop the tools and content with their peers and listen to personal testimonies from participants in the recovery and support programs provided by the GPF forum partners.