Building Communities

Describing the significance of the Transform Capital internship, part of the center's Community Development branch, Paul Hawkinson C’92, associate professor in the School of Business and Nonprofit Management and cofounder of the organization, refers to 2 Corinthians 9:

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.'"

“It reminds us of the calling of the church to be a generous people,” he said, “while also and equally experiencing the mutual transformation that comes with proximity to neighbors in need. We hope that exposure to the Transform Capital mission provides tangible evidence of the power of commerce when used for the benefit of others—and of the deep power in listening to, and learning from, our neighbors.”

Transform Capital, a nonprofit lending movement which aims to ignite generational advantage for others on the journey of asset ownership, provides internships each semester to North Park students.

After 17 years on Wall Street, Hawkinson, a former executive director of finance for the Evangelical Covenant Church, has devoted much of his time in the service of disinvested local communities.

Students in the cohort learn about asset based community development—a strategy to recognize the strengths and talents of individuals and communities, rather than their deficits, and to use those assets as building blocks for stronger communities. Collectively, students learn about innovation in nonprofit models and examine systemic issues that create the conditions for so many forms of injustice. They also identify specific projects of interest for deeper exploration, and they spend time engaging with the community for their project.

“Working through the center and Transform Capital has allowed me to look at what it means to serve and to work. It has shown me the power of being in relationships and sharing our stories. Through these relationships I have been able to see how God is working through the lives of those serving and being served. I hope to continue using a faith-based lens when learning to navigate the workforce in the future,” said Alana Nicholas C’23, a former intern.

The internship program has served 24 students so far and has been funded through a generous grant from Covenant Initiatives for Care.

“Our goal is to make this a perpetual opportunity for North Park students,” said Hawkinson.