How We Started

In 1974 in San Antonio, Texas, dozens of Catholic parishes and community institutions formed a coalition that became Communities Organized for Public Service, now COPS/Metro.

Beginning with thousands of conversations, COPS leaders organized to address the city's historic failure to invest in public services and infrastructure for low-income, largely Latino and African-American neighborhoods. They delivered major improvements in infrastructure, public education, and access to living-wage jobs. More than the victories, COPS transformed everyday people into effective community leaders, developing the courage and skills to accomplish more than they thought possible.

The success of COPS marked the beginning of the modern IAF network and inspired the formation of a network of Broad-Based Organizations throughout the West and Southwest US.