About Us
Partners For Positive Change Building Communities. Empowering Lives.
Our Story
“Embarking on our mission, three convictions propelled us forward: the imperative to support children in need, the belief that local community members must lead the charge for change, and the realization that immediate action was essential,” declared Reverend Dr. Richard Nelson,
pastor of Greater Open Door Church on Chicago’s West Side.
With steadfast resolve, a Catholic priest and a small group of clergy initiated a grassroots movement in 1981 to revolutionize foster care adoptions across Illinois.
Their vision was ambitious yet clear: to address the growing backlog of youth awaiting placement within the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. They rallied African-American families, faith-based leaders, and congregants, presenting a bold initiative: to enlist every church in Illinois, beginning with Chicago, to open their hearts and homes to foster children from their own communities. From this vision, One Church One Child of Illinois was born.
“For decades, OCOC—now One Family One Child—has been a beacon of hope, tirelessly working to secure nurturing foster homes for homeless youth,” said Chairman Walter Bauldrick, Presiding Elder of the Chicago North District of the AME Conference. In 2006, the organization expanded its mission to address the needs of foster youth who encountered the juvenile justice system for the first time. Now renamed Illinois One Family One Child (IOFOC), it has served as a lifeline for over 40 years, guiding inner-city youth toward brighter futures by helping them return to school, secure employment, and access higher learning opportunities.
Board of Directors
The innovation behind our programs and services is driven by one simple truth: they are essential for the communities we serve.
Chairman
Walter R. Bauldrick, Sr., Presiding Elder, AME Conference, Northern District
Vice Chairman
Dr. Richard Nelson, Pastor, Greater Open Door Baptist Church, Chicago
Secretary
Sarah Thompson, Chicago Public Schools (Ret.)
Directors
Tyson J. Parks, Presiding Elder, AME Conference
Reanetta Hunt, M.Ed., CFRE, CEO, HMMG Consulting
Cozette Buckney, Ed.D., Chicago Public Schools and Chicago State University (Ret.)
Diana Harris, CEO, North Harbor Designs
Gary McCants, Presiding Elder, AME Conference
Christopher C. Craft, MMA, Program Manager, Access Youth
Director, Foster Care & Homeless Assistance Services – Hamilton House, Gerald Hamilton, Chicago Police Department (Ret)
With Your Help, We are Making The World a Better Place
Hundreds of once ‘at-risk’ youth have transformed their lives, graduating from high school and pursuing further education, becoming productive citizens. From our archives, Cornelius McDade, shares how Partners for Positive Change, formerly IOFOC, played a pivotal role in shaping his future.
TESTIMONIAL
Our Mission & Approach
Partners for Positive Change empowers vulnerable individuals by providing foster care placement, mentoring, and life skills development for at-risk youth, while also assisting the homeless in securing employment and achieving long-term stability. We are committed to creating pathways to brighter futures and stronger communities.