COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Twenty-nine figures gathered loosely in the auditorium hallway. Before now, they blended in with their peers, identical in appearance by profession, but not after today. Today they will be visible against any background, as beacons of HOPE.
The 14th Flying Training Wing Chapel hosted the inaugural graduation of the HOPE initiative in the newly renovated Kaye Auditorium on May 14, 2025, at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. The HOPE initiative is a program that focuses on creating specialists who are conduits for resilience and connection to community.
“Hope is a framework for action to pursue a desired outcome,” said Dr. Chan Hellman, guest speaker and founding director of the Hope Research Center at the University of Oklahoma. “Hope is one of the strongest predictors of our ability to thrive; to find meaning, purpose and deep connection in our experiences. One of the traits that HOPE ambassador specialists embody is the ability to develop meaningful and deep trusting relationships.”
Building on Dr. Hellman’s insights into the transformative power of hope, leaders at Columbus AFB are putting these principles into practice through the HOPE initiative.
“The CAFB HOPE initiative embodies all aspects of the Spectrum of Resilience,” said Lt. Col. Kristi Hopp, 14th FTW chaplain. “HOPE ambassador specialists cultivate a culture of hope to build connection and belonging through peer-to-peer support.”
Graduates from the program represented a majority of the units assigned to the 14 FTW, demonstrating a broad level of interest amongst Airmen of all ranks and jobs.
“When my Airmen approached me about going through the program, it was an easy yes,” said Tech. Sgt. Javier Cruz, 14th FTW Public Affairs noncommissioned officer in charge. “Our PA team literally goes everywhere and meets everyone on base through their normal duties. We’ve already seen positive returns from their involvement with the HOPE initiative here at home station and away on TDY (temporary duty travel).”
HOPE specialists complete approximately 20 hours of classroom instruction where they learn how to implement skills such as building connections, bringing awareness to helping agencies and resources, fostering community and resiliency.
“During a recent TDY to our schoolhouse, I came across an officer alone in a classroom, crying,” said Senior Airman Jessica Blocher, 14th FTW Public Affairs photojournalist. “Instead of hesitating because of rank, I approached him. Thanks to the skills I learned through HOPE, I was able to listen with empathy. We talked for about 45 minutes. I walked away with a new sense of responsibility to my Wingmen, and I felt prepared because of HOPE.”
The HOPE initiative is not just for service members. Civilians, retirees and spouses can join the program and help to positively influence their communities to build connection and a sense of belonging.
“The capabilities harnessed by our HOPE ambassador specialists will directly contribute to force development by enhancing resiliency and readiness,” Hopp said.
The next HOPE initiative class is scheduled to begin in August 2025. For more information or to register, contact the 14th FTW Chapel at 662-434-2500.