Homers -- What's going right

DIVERSE PARTNERS: Diversity Focus, Four Oaks and the General Mills company have partnered to launch a new initiative called Project Thrive, which aims to diversify our region's work force. Project Thrive is aimed at major Corridor employers who want to reach diverse segments of the population who may not be aware of job opportunities at those companies. The first event was held Saturday at the Paul Engle Center in Cedar Rapids' Wellington Heights neighborhood. The collaboration fits the mission of Four Oaks, a non-profit agency that works to stabilize the lives of children and families.

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PATTERSON'S LEGACY: Indian Creek Nature Center and this region were beneficiaries of Rich Patterson's 35-year run as the center's director. Patterson, who just retired, led the center into prominence, stabilized its finances and was a tireless proponent of protecting natural resources from excessive development. He brought a constructively critical voice and a passionate educator's message to the public arena without pushing an all-or-nothing approach.

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UI HELPING OTHERS: The University of Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities, five years old, is ramping up its work in Cedar Rapids, Washington and Muscatine. Students and teachers of roughly 10 academic disciplines such as engineering and public health will work on about 25 different community projects this year - the most ever.