Initiatives of Change - The Future of Hope in the Cities USA by Robert Corcoran, United States

As we enter this New Year, I would like to share exciting news. Don Cowles and I have been appointed to serve as joint leaders of Initiatives of Change USA, the parent body of Hope in the Cities. As National Director I will have primary responsibility for national program development, public outreach and communications. Don, as Executive Director, will oversee the legal, financial and human resource aspects of the organization. We will share responsibility for strategic direction and fund development. Of course we have a wonderful team to work with.

Don has been a close and trusted colleague for the past four years and shares my commitment to racial reconciliation and justice. He has served as co-chair of the Hope in the Cities board, and led our current effort in Richmond to generate community conversation on the subject of school integration. His involvement with Initiatives of Change began in 2002 when he took early retirement from Alcoa/Reynolds Metals Company where he served as chief legal officer, chief human resource officer and president of one of its business units.

In asking us to lead the organization, Initiatives of Change (IofC) has affirmed its mission to work for hope, healing and transformation in America’s increasingly diverse national community. We are developing a focused and cohesive strategy which makes better use of our human and financial resources. In this way, Hope in the Cities will become more fully integrated into the national program of IofC.

Building trust and new visions across the divides of race, religion and class is a vital part of our work. We will continue to promote dialogues and collaborative citizen action. Offering leadership formation and skills building to individuals and groups who are attempting to address key issues in their communities is a priority.

Don and I will continue to base in Richmond. However, in the coming months you will receive communications from us from the IofC Washington office as well as from Richmond. Breakthroughs, the bi-monthly newsletter will carry news of Hope in the Cities and all of IofC’s local, national and international activities. You can continue to find news of our activities on www.hopeinthecities.org as well as www.us.iofc.org

The new leadership arrangement provides a wonderful opportunity for Richmond and Hope in the Cities to contribute even more actively to the development of a vibrant national network. Initiatives of Change connects change in individual lives with social change and draws on the best of all faith traditions to enable communities to heal historic wounds and move towards reconciliation. America needs this now more than ever.