The Hope Herald

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year from Hope CDA!

I’m excited to announce that Dr Rob Pannier has been named the new Executive Director of Hope CDA. Rob has served faithfully as our Program Navigator and will provide great leadership into the future.

As I retire after 31 years working in the non-profit world, I plan to volunteer at Hope CDA and serve in whatever way I can. No goodbyes. There is nothing quite like Hope CDA and serving here has been the greatest experience of my life.

The future is bright and because of you, we celebrate these 2024 highlights:

• We sold a record five homes, all to low-income families.
• We opened a new Stability House, giving five graduates a fresh start and new hope.
• Nearly 700 people attended the annual “All In” gala event, our biggest crowd ever.
• Our volunteer army continues to grow every year……what a faithful team!
• Several area churches are working with Hope CDA in a variety of ways.
• Our partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids and Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association continues to serve as a catalyst for changing our community (over 30 houses completed since 2008).
• Two men were recently baptized and we hired three new staff members in 2024.
• Many participants are growing spiritually and getting involved in a local church.
• 16 men have graduated over the past three years—and we have plans to touch even more lives through our life transformation program: “Offering Hope. Building Lives.”

To see some great pictures from the past year, please click here.

Wishing you and your family the Lord’s richest blessings in 2025!

Your teammate in Christ,

Carl Gonder
Executive Director
(retired on December 31, 2024)