NEWSMAKERS JAN-JUN 2014
WSJ: Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative "Hits"
The Wall Street Journal today published a chart showing CGHC enrollment numbers approximately tripled original projections.
Intractable? Who Says?
CONECT moves against gun violenceThe Rev. James Manship, Pastor, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in New Haven, Co-Chair of Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut, challenges gun manufacturers to improve gun safety and reduce gun violence. Governor, New Haven Mayor, Police Chief and more commit to Metro IAF Do Not Stand Idly By Campaign. Read New Haven Register story here.
Do Not Stand Idly By focuses on the owners and investors of the world’s gun manufacturers who have the power to make communities safer. 
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WIN organizes residents of DC General homeless shelter. Rats, roaches, power outages, rancid food plague facility. Rally for respect.
Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) conducted more than one hundred face to face meetings to uncover what's happening in this huge homeless shelter in our Nation's Capitol. Painful shared stories reveal disgraceful conditions. Abatement of rats and roaches, decent food, improved safety conditions at the building, protection of residents' First Amendment rights, increased funding for affordable housing, and in light of proposed legislation to close the shelter, a concrete plan to provide adequate emergency shelter and hold hearings on the future of the shelter on site. Washington Post story here.
Hundreds rally of respect for homeless in DC
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Dr. Vincent Harding: July 25, 1931 - May 22, 2014
I had occasion to meet with Dr. Vincent Harding eleven months before his recent passing. He was in process of moving into a new office on the grounds of Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO. I found him deeply engaged in his work and curious about mine. Towards the end of the meeting I posed my burning question bluntly: "You know IAF. You know Colorado. Should we establish a presence here?" His answer was swift and clear: "Yes!" We went on to discuss the why. He offered contacts and wise counsel.
After an hour I concluded the meeting. We shook hands and embraced. He stopped me on the way out, went to one of his half assembled book shelves and pulled two volumes. He opened one while seating himself behind his desk. "I want you to have these," he said, as he wrote something in one of them. He handed both books to me. I expressed my gratitude for the meeting and the gifts. Then we shook hands and embraced again.
On the sidewalk outside his office I scanned both titles. Hope and History, Why We Must Share the Story of the Movement and Martin Luther King, The Inconvenient Hero both by Vincent Harding. I found the page with his writing in bold, clear script in the MLK. It read: "For my brother, Frank, with great appreciation for your work in King's spirit. Go right on. Vincent H."
Krista Tippett interviewed Dr. Harding for her On Being program. Listen here. Those who knew him and those who didn't will be the beneficiary of a listen. Thanks to Paul Turner of the IAF for bringing this interview to my attention.
After an hour I concluded the meeting. We shook hands and embraced. He stopped me on the way out, went to one of his half assembled book shelves and pulled two volumes. He opened one while seating himself behind his desk. "I want you to have these," he said, as he wrote something in one of them. He handed both books to me. I expressed my gratitude for the meeting and the gifts. Then we shook hands and embraced again.
On the sidewalk outside his office I scanned both titles. Hope and History, Why We Must Share the Story of the Movement and Martin Luther King, The Inconvenient Hero both by Vincent Harding. I found the page with his writing in bold, clear script in the MLK. It read: "For my brother, Frank, with great appreciation for your work in King's spirit. Go right on. Vincent H."
Krista Tippett interviewed Dr. Harding for her On Being program. Listen here. Those who knew him and those who didn't will be the beneficiary of a listen. Thanks to Paul Turner of the IAF for bringing this interview to my attention.
Dr. Vincent Harding
A Reason to Believe
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A Reason to Believe
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Milwaukee Bucks Big Shots to Meet with Common Ground
"Edens also said he had read the letter sent by Common Ground, a local community organization that wants improved recreational facilities at Milwaukee County schools. The group requested a meeting with the two, and Edens said he would do so. Edens said, "I look forward to talking to them." Common Ground says that if public funds are going to be used to build a new arena, then $150 million in funds should be spent to improve recreational facilities in the county. If that is not done, the group says it will oppose a new arena." Here's the full story.
How about this?
Angelus covers big health care action.
One LA/IAF
Get the story here.
Pics from around the IAF Network - Peerless, Pragmatic, Non Partisan
Thousands Moved to High Wage Jobs in Texas Cities
Project QUEST leaders and supporters
In 2013, QUEST served 976 program participants with 241 graduates that represented 16 demand occupations ranging from Healthcare to Information Technology to Professional Trades. The 2013 graduates were enrolled in a training, licensing and job placement program on average for 2 years. The average starting wage per hour for QUEST graduates in 2013 was $19.50. Since its inception QUEST has enrolled approximately 6,000 individuals seeking training for high wage employment.
Project ARRIBA leaders and supporters
Project ARRIBA celebrated 1,000 graduates as leaders learned that the labor market intermediary won a Texas Innovative Adult Career Education (ACE) grant. Half a million dollars will move 300 more El Paso Community College students into living wage careers. EPISO and Border Interfaith helped establish the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education grant to support projects that prepare low-income workers to attain degrees and certificates in high demand occupations including nursing and information technology.
Capital IDEA/TMO leaders and supporters
The labor market intermediary established by The Metropolitan Organization of Houston, Capital IDEA-Houston, won a Texas Innovative Adult Career Education (ACE) grant for half a million dollars to train hundreds more community college students for living wage careers in Houston. TMO, with their sister organizations in the Texas IAF, helped establish the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education (ACE) grant to support projects that prepare low-income workers to attain degrees and certificates in high demand occupations including nursing and information technology.
One LA/IAF Drives Health Care Agenda Forward
Boisterous, brassy, talented, targeted. Health care for hundreds of thousands at stake in Los Angeles.
One LA went into action yesterday, packing the hearing room - and then some - at the Board of Supervisors meeting! Together the churches, schools, and synagogues demonstrated broad-based support for a proposal to invest an additional $95 million in the Healthy Way LA 2.0 program! That would mean coverage for more than 200,000 people who've never had it before.
One LA went into action yesterday, packing the hearing room - and then some - at the Board of Supervisors meeting! Together the churches, schools, and synagogues demonstrated broad-based support for a proposal to invest an additional $95 million in the Healthy Way LA 2.0 program! That would mean coverage for more than 200,000 people who've never had it before.
BROAD BASED POWER AT WORK IN TUCSON
JobPath, Arizona's most prolific and successful workforce development strategy, depends on Pima County Interfaith Council's broad based power to survive and thrive. Persistent grassroots support from PCIC member institutions is reflected above in testimonials before the Pima County Board of Supervisors. PCIC collaboration with the Tucson Bus Riders Union delivers rate increase block to benefit low income bus riders and foster expanded use of public transportation. JobPath's 15 Year Celebration last night broke records for attendance (400) and number of graduates (80).
Big Win for Sydney Lift Campaigners
Sydney Alliance battle for public transit improvements bears fruit. Story here.
EBC in the streets of Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC
Get the story from this NY Daily News piece that describes what, why, where and how of the battle for better parks for children, youth and families. Yes, it's the same IAF organization that delivered Nehemiah Housing depicted in the photo below. Go here.
Iconic Photograph of Nehemiah Housing Launch
East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC)
Nevada Leaders
You Have to Read This
Priceless WaPost Article on Huge MD IAF Action with Gov Candidates
Nevadans for the Common Good Convention 2
Huge Crowd and Key Politicos Embrace Ambitious Agenda
Read the story in the Las Vegas Sun.
IAF leadership training - the best.
In Seattle, WA and Sydney, Australia now.
IAF organizing saves lives
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The Massachusetts Health Plan never would have happened without the grassroots engagement of Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO). This institutionally based IAF organization brought the policy brains, power relationships and persistence to the negotiating table of legislative action. Story here.
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Nation of Ingrates?
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“They are our neighbors, our friends, they go to church with us, they join us at the park, the rodeo, our restaurants and museums, and their children go to school with our children,” Quezada told Supervisors. “Together we inhabit this great community. But our broken immigration system has left them on the margins for health care.” Ms Quesada is a leader with COPA, a Northern California IAF organization. Read the story from the Salinas Californian.
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Just how messed up is it?
They served. They fought. They were deported. Betrayal by any measure.
Photo by Sandy Huffaker, Getty Images News
Bishop Gerald Kicanas, Diocese of Tucson
Border Pics Deserve Attention
Have a look. These pics tell a powerful story.
Nevadans for the Common Good: Convention 2
May 13, 6 PM, Cashman Theater, 850 N. Las Vegas Blvd
NCG will bring together a second Las Vegas Valley convention almost two years to the day after the first. The event promises to advance a multi-issue agenda for community betterment while continuing to build relationships across race, class, faith and geography. NCG will tackle elderly concerns, human trafficking, immigration, public education, health care and mental health.
May 22, 2012 featured a huge crowd, dynamic leadership and moving musical interludes. Convention 2 promises a more ambitious agenda, inspiration and creative action proposals.
May 22, 2012 featured a huge crowd, dynamic leadership and moving musical interludes. Convention 2 promises a more ambitious agenda, inspiration and creative action proposals.
Arizona IAF organizations take another big step against sex traffickers; build on Nevada breakthrough
The bill signed into law by Governor Brewer sets the penalty for prostituting a child age who is 15-17 at between 10 years and 24 years in prison. It also targets those who recruit sex trafficking victims from high-risk places such as shelters serving runaways, foster children, homeless people or victims of domestic violence. Pictured here are Arizona Interfaith Network leaders and organizers with Governor Brewer at the signing. IAF in Nevada - Nevadans for the Common Good - worked with a bi-partisan alliance to achieve breakthrough legislation in 2013. Cindy McCain, wife of Senator John McCain played a key role in driving the Arizona legislation forward. Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and Assemblyman John Hambrick were instrumental to the Nevada breakthrough.
United Auto Workers (UAW) and Religious Leaders in Mississippi
Create a Bond of Solidarity and Faith
Alana Semuels, a reporter for the LA Times, captures an extraordinary story in the making. Breaking out of "labor" and "community" silos UAW leaders find common cause with religious leaders in Mississippi. Here the usual "rent a collar" relationship that often characterizes labor/community relationships doesn't seem to apply. Mutual respect, shared interests, and interdependence augur a brighter future for Mississippi workers, families and communities.
Reweaving the fabric of community
Legislators get Bible lesson as debate during payday lending bill reignites
Together Louisiana Leaders
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Grace and Judgment
The Bible has much to say about usury. Here ministers bring the message directly to the Louisiana Legislature as the battle with payday lenders heats up. The Louisiana Capitol is flooded with industry lobbyists advocating for Mammon while citizen lobbyists and their religious leaders stand strong.
Long Road for Vets to Healthcare in Las Vegas Valley
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Leaders from Nevadans for the Common Good find out how hard it is for veterans to access health care by bus from Henderson, Nevada. NCG is organizing the Second Las Vegas Valley Community Convention on May 13, 6 PM at Cashman. This issue is sure to figure prominently. Story here.
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Interfaith seeks support for payday lending reforms
Pushing hard on payday lenders
Mr Breaking Bad Breaks Open LBJ
Kelly Candaele Breaks Open Playwright Robert Schenkkan
Thoughtful interview in Los Angeles Review of Books by Kelly Candaele with Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan whose play - All the Way - now on Broadway explores LBJ's Presidency. All the Way stars Mr. Breaking Bad man himself Bryan Cranston! IAF teaching on anger is lifted up by Candaele during the course of this must read conversation. Broadway visit anyone?
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Kelly Candaele
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Howard Schenkkan
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Phillip Morris Nails It
Phillip Morris
- So who the heck is Phillip Morris? A columnist who writes for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. When it comes to gun violence he gets it. Cleveland, Ohio isn't a major media market but the perspective put forward here deserves to be broadcast far and wide. No surprise that Greater Cleveland Congregations is the protagonist here. Part of Metro IAF, GCC and other networked citizen organizations are breaking open a national strategy grounded in local experience and strategic insight. DO NOT STAND IDLY BY.
- Mr. Phillips writes: "The lion with the lamb: There’s a compelling new school of thought emerging on how best to confront the epidemic of gun violence in America."
- "A national team of religious leaders, including Rev. Richard Gibson, formerly an attorney with Squire Sanders, and now pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church, and Donna Weinberger, a psychotherapist affiliated with Greater Cleveland Congregations, went to the world’s second largest gun show in Nuremberg, Germany last month. They went with the stated intention of meeting with gun manufacturers to talk about a market for smart guns (weapons that only fire in the hand of the registered owner) as well as strategies to keep illegal guns off the streets."
Nothing But Ugly
Photo by Leslie Davis, The New York Times
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More Deportations Follow Minor Crimes, Records Show
For New York Times story go here. |
Big Arena Fight Brewing in Milwaukee
Common Ground demands better school facilities or no support for arena
Read more from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A Day of Action to End Deportations
April 5, Oracle, Arizona
Working Together Jackson
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Sydney Alliance
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Democratic practice is being renewed in diverse locales like Jackson, Mississippi and Sydney, Australia. Ventures such as these - the largest non partisan political events in their respective communities - suggest the Koch Brothers don't always own it and the consulting class don't always control it. IAF organizations in Jackson and Sydney embody the kind of local initiative that vitalizes the democratic faith and resources the future.
UAW and Churches working together in Mississippi?
With the continuing slide of the middle class into economic oblivion, stories about fresh institutional relationships that offer real prospects for new and powerful collaborative ventures merit close attention.
This is one fascinating story buried in the LA times unearthed here. Read it.
Nissan Tech Jeffrey Moore: "It's about fairness..."
Taking on Gun Violence Where it Counts
This initiative continues to gather momentum. Follow the thread here.
Together Louisiana/IAF Advances Payday Loan Limits at Louisiana Legislature!
For complete story go here.
Thelma Fleming trapped by $300 loan
Workforce Breakthrough in DuPage County, Illinois
The DuPage County Chairman made a public commitment to $200,000 county funds for a dynamic workforce labor market intermediary. Career Connect Metro West will be a new 501(c)3 focused on recruiting qualified candidates for job training working with two other non-profits. DuPage County will be "first funders" in the effort. Matching state money is in the works. This is driven by DuPage United, IAF. Pictured on left is Amy Lawless Ayala, Lead Organizer. Ms Ayala previously worked with IAF in Tucson (PCIC) and Northern Arizona (NAIC).
Guess Who Put This Hearing on Detention/Deportation Together?
Nevadans for the Common Good, IAF challenges detention/deportation practices in the State of Nevada. Read the story here. And another here. Organized by NCG and Congressman Stephen Horsford in North Las Vegas Council Chambers. Pictured from right to left: Rev Camille Pentsil, Episcopal Bishop Dan Edwards, Catholic Bishop Joseph Pepe and Episcopal priest Fr Bernardo Iniesta.
EBC Advances NYCHA Change
Democraticfaith.com is following several major stories. Here East Brooklyn Congregations is getting results as this IAF organization engages housing authorities with decisive impact. Get the skinny here.
Follow This Story
Leaders from Nevadans for the Common Good will be testifying in a Congressional Hearing on Immigration, Detention and Deportation in Southern Nevada. NCG has found a way to enter the detention/deportation debate in a highly constructive way. Here are the details.
Congressional Ad Hoc Hearing on Monday, Mar 17, 2014, 6 pm.
Location: North Las Vegas City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Congressional Ad Hoc Hearing on Monday, Mar 17, 2014, 6 pm.
Location: North Las Vegas City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Who is this man? Why is he worried?
Does the National Rifle Association represent gun owners or gun manufacturers? Ponder the question.
“Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is shed.”
Leviticus 19:16
This campaign, launched by the faith leaders and citizens who make up the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation (Metro IAF) network, is based on two simple premises:
Read all you need to know here!
Leviticus 19:16
This campaign, launched by the faith leaders and citizens who make up the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation (Metro IAF) network, is based on two simple premises:
- We can’t end the plague of gun violence in America until the manufacturers of guns make safety and responsible sales among their highest priorities.
- The companies that step up to lead in these areas will thrive. They’ll tap a growing demand for safety, and expand their market share among major public-sector gun buyers.
Read all you need to know here!
Greater Cleveland Congregations Challenges Gun Manufacturers:
Improve Safety!
Payday lending dominates Black Caucus town hall
Forget Governor Bobby Jindal. The real action in Louisiana is happening because of Together Louisiana. Here the emerging statewide power takes on the all powerful payday lending industry and challenges the Black Caucus to shape up. Don't miss the story from the Daily Reveille.
Wildfire!
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A change in the way federal funding is dispersed to fight wild fires is long overdue. President Obama has initiated what appears to be a bipartisan approach that will not diminish prevention efforts when responding to catastrophic fires. Read the NY Times story here. Want two great reads? The Big Burn by Timothy Egan and Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean. In Oracle, Arizona we continue to mourn the deaths of 19 wildland firefighters in the Yarnell Hill fire blow up earlier this year. Honor their sacrifice.
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Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith Education Summit
Breaks New Ground
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The slow, patient and highly effective work of organizing for positive change. The IAF in Louisiana is moving mountains with faith, power and action. Great coverage here.
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Surprise! An Immigrant Welcoming County in Arizona!
Yes, this really happened in Arizona thanks to the work of a well crafted alliance. Persistent, thoughtful organizing continues to deliver positive outcomes and inspire hope.
Read the story here from the Arizona Daily Star.
Read the story here from the Arizona Daily Star.
Together Baton Rouge Opposes Breakaway
ONE LA/IAF on Healthcare:
Learning , gaining power, acting
Public housing in NYC desperately needs rescue plan
Living Wage and Beyond. Go here Mr. President!
“... once elected Barack Obama turned his back on the very community organizing tradition that for a few years played an important role in his life journey. He lost touch with its vital center of innovation and impact. Now, in the twilight of his presidency, he has a fresh opportunity to mine a tradition that has delivered remarkable outcomes across a broad front of concerns voiced by poor and middle class alike.”
“It’s late in the game for President Obama to awaken to the creative opportunities advanced by a tradition he once briefly practiced. But it’s not too late. His legacy may well depend on it.”
Read the entire commentary here.
“It’s late in the game for President Obama to awaken to the creative opportunities advanced by a tradition he once briefly practiced. But it’s not too late. His legacy may well depend on it.”
Read the entire commentary here.
Honor BUILD, Mr President. Baltimore IAF ...
conceived and launched the first living wage campaign in 1994. Your anticipated move to tie federal contracts to a $10.10 per hour wage minimum was first initiated by BUILD - Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development, a broad based IAF organization that continues to set the standard for innovation and community impact. It is vital to our democracy for citizens to understand how change actually happens, where ideas are developed and tested. In this case BUILD deserves enormous credit for a ground breaking initiative that has been adopted by municipalities all over the country and now, if advance reports are correct, by your executive order at the federal level.
President Obama to Systematically Ignore ...
...workforce training that really works. You can bet your bottom dollar you won't hear anything in the State of the Union about scaling up Project Quest, Project Iowa, JobPath or any of the other remarkably successful labor market intermediaries dotted around the country. They're simple in design, cost effective and proven. The Obama Team has been holed up in the White House bubble for way too long to scheme up anything that builds on dynamic local initiatives like these.
This one's practically in the the President's old Chicagoland back yard: Last week was a watershed week for DuPage United. After 30 months of research, presentations, relationship building, and power analysis, the DuPage United Jobs Task Force received a commitment from DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin for a 6 figure pledge to financially support the formation and funding of Career Connect Metro West (CCMW) & the Metro West Manufacturing Workforce Collaboration!
Really, it was my idea all along...
IAF's Washington Interfaith Network is doing highly creative work in multiple issues areas. A DC water bureaucrat has a strange way of acknowledging it in this story. Thanks for the support but it was my idea all along. Really?
Read here and see what you think.
Read here and see what you think.
The Weirdest Deep Six So Far in 2014
EPISO and the Border Organization recently did some amazing work addressing payday lending in El Paso, Texas. The practices of unscrupulous lenders were sharply curtailed by actions directly attributable to the two IAF organizations working in consort with other community allies. What qualifies as really weird is the fact that nowhere is this key role referenced much less expanded upon by the reporter, Cindy Ramirez, and/or her editor at the El Paso Times. Their otherwise decent story reads like a drama without a protagonist. What are these people thinking? That political decisions like this happen because of a vague constituency called "opponents of the practice"?
