Phase One of Capital Campaign Announced
As Elm Heights School Restoration Begins
ITwas a sunny morning on May 18 when Steve “Roc” Bonchek, Executive Director of Harmony Education Center (HEC), welcomed a crowd gathered for ceremonies and a press conference on the grounds of the old Elm Heights Elementary School.

After welcoming everyone he described the first phase of HEC’s new Capital Campaign. “We’re calling this $6.5 million dollar first phase of our national Campaign for Harmony the ‘Leap Into the Future’ phase and it includes goals of $4.5 million dollars to restore and maintain the Elm Heights building and $2 million dollars for a scholarship fund for Harmony School students so Harmony can continue our long-standing policy of being accessible to children regardless of their ability to pay.”

He then went on to explain why this campaign is so important.

“The reason we’re taking this leap at this time is because there are millions of children throughout this country who are not being well served by our nation’s schools.”

He quoted statistics offered by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which state “One million children drop out of school each year - one million - that’s 3500 per school day! This building’s eight decades of service to educating children well is a testament to the fact that we know that schools can do better.”

He also quoted Daniel Baron, NSRF Co-Director and Bonchek’s partner for the last 27 years, who said, “Harmony Education Center is dedicated to helping all students throughout the country realize their full potential as individuals and as contributing members of their communities.”

Bonchek concluded by quoting the award letter from the New York City-based Bay and Paul Foundation that made a $2.5 million dollar lead-gift challenge commitment to the campaign in order to “...establish Harmony Education Center as a permanent national institution that will lead the charge to transform K-12 schools across America into democratic, collaborative learning environments.”

Harmony intends to accept this challenge while supporting future generations of children from this historic, yet vibrant, Elm Heights building for at least another 80 years.


Three Leaders Help Chair Campaign for Harmony
Many volunteers and leaders will participate in the Campaign for Harmony, headed by a leadership team consisting of three special people.

The co-chairs are Carl Cook and Frederick Bay, and honorary chair John W. Ryan. Carl Cook, a lifelong resident of Bloomington who attended Elm Heights Elementary, is now Vice President of Cook Group in Bloomington.

Fred Bay is Executive Director of The Josephine Bay Paul and C. Michael Paul Foundation in New York City.

John Ryan is a retired educator, President Emeritus of Indiana University, and former Chancellor of the State University of New York.


Foundation Offers $2.5 Million Challenge Matching Grant
The Josephine Bay Paul and C. Michael Paul Foundation has pledged $2.5 million for the Harmony Challenge Program.

Fred Bay, Executive Director of the foundation, has also agreed to serve as one of the campaign co-chairs.

The foundation’s board intends the award to be “in support of the Harmony Education Center's momentous effort to become a permanent national institution, leading the charge to transform K-12 schools across America into democratic, collaborative learning environments.”

This commitment is a match against the first $5 million to be raised by Harmony in its campaign. Additional local donors have pledged up to an additional $1 million in matching funds to help Harmony achieve a successful result.

“We are so pleased and proud of the initial commitments we have received from national and local friends of Harmony,” said Steve Bonchek, Executive Director of the Harmony Education Center. “These matching funds will help other donors leverage their support to help meet our funding goals.” Bonchek, along with Daniel Baron and Jesse Goodman, were the catalysts for Harmony’s outreach to public schools that began in 1990.

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