For the past two days, 99 people took a close look at just how dynamic, diverse and occasionally dysfunctional the greater Richmond area is.

They were participants in the third annual Greater Richmond Challenge, a Greater Richmond Chamber program that puts community members into the field to explore five components of regional life.

They were assigned to 10 teams, two each that studied and talked about affordable housing, education, transportation, work-force development, and crime and safety.

The common theme was that no component of regional living could stand on its own.

"It makes you think," said Don Kappel, who was on one of the housing teams. "It makes you change some perceptions you have."

Sande Snead participated to learn more about the area. While she has lived here all her life, she said she's constantly amazed finding things she never knew existed.

A member of one of the education teams, she became enamored with a preschool program in Hanover.

"While some of us are juggling 10 different things, we saw people who were juggling 20," she said.

Her team's presentation focused on growth and development. Its message was targeted to the physical and social needs of the preschoolers and middle school students they visited, but the message carried over to the entire program.

"We can help things move along," said Mac McGinty, from one of the work-force development teams. "Maybe just a small piece, but we can help."
Contact Zachary Reid at (804) 775-8179 or zreid@timesdispatch.com.