The mission of Kairos: the Center for Religion, Rights and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary is to contribute to transformative movements for social change that can draw on the power of both religions and human rights. Recognizing that thought and action should not be separated, the Kairos Center’s work combines rigorous scholarship, applied research, reciprocal education, and shared practice. The cornerstone of the Kairos Center is the Poverty Initiative whose mission is to raise up generations of religious and community leaders dedicated to building a social movement to end poverty, led by the poor.