The Hope Community Development Association, one of New Covenant's Local Partners, is growing and making a difference for God's kingdom in Cedar Rapids. Hope CDA strives to demonstrate Christ’s love by equipping individuals to transform their lives through gainful employment and skillful living. The ministry provides training and work experience for men with employment barriers who have a desire to be successful in the workplace and in all of life. Long-time New Covenant member Ron Ziegler serves as the volunteer full-time Executive Director of Hope CDA. Ron shares how CDA is transforming lives through this ministry.
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Ron's been involved with Hope Community Development Association since it was formed in 2010. Hope CDA has changed a lot over the past year. St Mark's Lutheran Church has become a very active partner, providing volunteers and offering the Alpha course (basics of the Christian faith) for everyone in our organization to participate in.
Ron shares, “The most gratifying aspect of my involvement with Hope CDA is seeing someone's life really change. This doesn't happen instantaneously. It happens over a year or more. We have had several men accept Christ as Savior or rededicate their lives to Him. Over the last several months, we have seen a huge increase in the spiritual aspect of our ministry. For example, now one of the participants leads devotion each morning rather than us leaders always doing it."
Hope CDA now has three program houses where men can live in community. Ron says, “It is exciting to see the ‘band of brothers’ really take hold, where the men truly care for and help support each other.”
Hope CDA is growing and it’s making a difference in our city. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that this growth brings the need for more volunteers to come alongside men. The ministry needs:
- Coaches (Mentor)
- Allys (just be a friend)
- Fellow job site workers
- Help with some data entry or other office tasks
- Grant writing assistance
- Teachers for a class or a short course on some topic during life skills on Friday mornings
- Drivers to help participants get to and from appointments
- Help onboarding new men (shopping, help get state/county services)
- A volunteer coordinator
- Help with maintaining vehicles and small engines (lawnmowers/snowblowers)
- And so much more.
Ron adds, “Volunteering is a great way to show God's love to men that have not experienced that in their past." Often these men say their success was because "Ron says that he sees something in me." The power of hope and encouragement can literally change the course of a person's life. If you are interested in volunteering, you can contact Ron for more information at HopeCDA.ron@gmail.com
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Thank you, Ron, for your willingness to walk alongside people until they’re able to walk productively out of destructive cycles and into constructive forward movement. It’s a rare gift.