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Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Former President Barack Obama on Tuesday unveiled a new initiative to encourage change on the local level through a mentorship program that encourages political adversaries "to work together." "Our country is changing," Obama said in a video. "But I still believe there is more that unites us than divides us.
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"Our physical communities, from neighborhoods and schools, to offices and churches, bring us together, and they give us a reason to work together, even when we don't always see eye-to-eye on everything," the former president said in making the announcement.
In its first year pilot program, the Change Collective initially will be available to applicants in Chicago, Detroit and Jackson, Miss. The program will be part of Civic Nation, a nonprofit founded by Obama administration alumni that works on activism on issues including voting rights and fighting sexual assault.
The aim is to create a network of civic leaders who can help each other during crises.
The former president and his wife, Michelle Obama, have been working on programs to encourage leadership since leaving office, through their Obama Foundation. The Obama Presidential Center being built in Chicago also aims to be a hub of activism.
The six-month enrollment for the Change Collective runs from June through January and targets meaningful change on a community level. Participants will be exposed to learning modules, a collection of case studies and practical exercises, all while being given access to resources. Influential business executives and thought leaders are among the guest speakers and experts.
Work includes remote and in-person learning, with required amounts of time dedicated.
The goal is to build on work or ideas that have already been conceived.
"Participants in the Change Collective will gain access to resources and a national network of local change-makers impacting in their communities," the program says in its description. "Our goal is to effect change by bringing together leaders spanning cultural, religious, educational, professional and political backgrounds."
To be accepted, applicants must demonstrate they are already working to change the place they live for the better.
The organization is encouraging applicants from all backgrounds to apply and will subsidize the $950 cost of the mentorship program, which includes monthly travel to the collective's office and lab in Detroit.
The program aims to "develop, connect and elevate change-makers across the country who are already working to strengthen their communities," Obama said in the introduction video.
"It's a way to bring emerging leaders from different identities and backgrounds together, and help them build relationships and solve problems in their own communities."
The application window is open until April 14.
