Happy Holidays from Initiatives of Change USA!
Dear Valued Friends Throughout the IofC USA Network,
On behalf of the entire IofC USA Team – Board and Staff members one and all – we send you this message of holiday tidings as both the year 2021 comes to a close and the advent of 2022 approaches. While this letter may herald the traditional salutations, holiday greetings, and best wishes for the coming year, that’s about all in the usual sense. As usual, it’s the unusual things which present challenges to our call to service and we make those into opportunities.
First, at the end of 2019, we didn’t get to fully benefit from the expected pivot toward “a new IofC USA” after our experiences and learning from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth Racial Healing Transformation (THRT) work. Instead, we are now excitedly working toward a future IofC USA by bringing forth the valued traditions of our history while innovating deeper connections with the intergenerational community.
Second, it’s also not the end of Covid we were expecting and it continues to affect all our programming since 2020. In response, we have shifted how we work and this has allowed us to tap into our creative potential by pivoting online with virtual programming. We continue to work flexibly and have a new Richmond office in a co-working space in the arts district that is affording unique community-building opportunities with other organizations and individuals.
Finally, in early 2021, we commenced a leadership transition with the voluntary departure of our executive director. We’ve viewed this both as an imperative and an opportunity to reflect on optimum transition. Our immediate response was to establish a baseline of continuity in the IofC USA Staff Team operations.
Then, we retained Dr. David Anderson Hooker as our Transition Consultant to guide the development of strategies for a relevant, sustainable IofC USA, including stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships on multiple levels.
Now, as we look into 2022, here are several key prospects on which we intend to build:
We will have numerous strategic decisions to address in early 2022 including leadership, staffing, and governance structures, as well as potential revenue streams and our best relationship with IofC International.
Initial word from IofC Switzerland tells us Caux Palace will be open in Summer 2022 and, subject to pandemic factors, we will be able to hold at least a limited in-person Caux Scholars Program in July 2022 along with hopefully a return to our Winter CSP at Asia Plateau in December 2022. Learn more about the work of IofC USA’s Global Alumni Initiative (GAIN) here.
IofC International’s International Trustbuilding Program with financial support of USA-based Fetzer Institute is entering its 3rd year, was recognized in November 2021 by the UN Office of Project Service and BMW company; and, also, IofC International’s Sustainability Initiative in 2021 has shown very positive signs which can benefit the entire global IofC network of the International Association.
Finally, we are proud to have been honored recently as a recipient of a $200,000 grant from Allstate Foundation focused on developing youth leaders through racial equity practices. Launching in Spring 2022, IofC USA will work together with leading innovators in intersectional youth engagement in Richmond, VA including RISE for Youth, ART 180, Drums No Guns Foundation and Alfonso Perez Acosta to inaugurate a 2-year cohort program, entitled The Freedom and Healing Community Cohort (FHCC). We look forward to working with our trusted partners to serve and support Richmond youth in expanding their visions of racial equity.
So, yes, we may have challenges, but with our collaborative spirit and our collective strength, we are stronger than those challenges. We are exploring ways to build access to new communications platforms while staying engaged with our IofC USA network to see how best to access and benefit from your ideas, participation, and resources.
And, with your support we can meet these challenges and make them opportunities. By working together, etc., we can build on our values, through sharing our experiences, strength, and hope.
Please consider a gift to our general fund – whether it be a year’s-end 2021 contribution or a 2022 “giving forward” – by simply clicking the link below.
You can also mail your contribution to us at the following address:
Initiatives of Change USA
ATTN: LaDora Carter
P.O. Box 11304
Richmond, VA 23230
We hope you will join us in our collective journey and mission for personal transformation which can lead to community transformation around the USA –all the while building connections across historical divides, and expanding networks.
Please know your generosity is appreciated and that it elevates not only our work but also our thinking and especially our inspiration.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to All!
With Respect and Appreciation for Your Service and Your Support,
Bill Hamilton
Board Chair and Interim Executive Director
Initiatives of Change USA