February 9, 2018

“If I am to leave a legacy, what do I really want that legacy to be? It’s not going to be a building, and it’s not going to be wealth. I’d like to leave behind youth that are empowered to be changers. World changers.”

– Rev. Dr. W. G. Hardy, Jr.

Today, Nick was honored to attend the celebration of life for Reverend Dr. W. G. "Will" Hardy, Jr. at the Highland Christian Center.

Hundreds of community members and faith leaders gathered to pay tribute to Will’s life and legacy.

Pastor Hardy was a model "servant leader," dedicating a lifetime of service to our community. He served as Highland Christian Center’s senior pastor and founder of Highland Haven, a local non-profit.

A Portland native, Pastor Hardy advocated for the most vulnerable in our community. He worked to provide social services, including substance abuse treatment, to underserved Portlanders, to improve the well-being of African-American youth and families, and to change the conversation about mental health.

Nick was honored to co-host a day of appreciation for Pastor Hardy at City Hall in 2015.

Pastor Hardy's family is in our thoughts and prayers.