NEWSMAKERS Jul - Dec 2014
Change makers - 60th Anniversary of the texas observer
Ernesto Cortes, Jr, IAF Co-Director
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Ernie's storied career is recognized by the Texas Observer that selected him one of the seven most important Texans over the past sixty years.
Go here for great pic and recognition. |
Amos delivers real work on crime and cops
AMOS is IAF in Iowa. AMOS work on crime, including juvenile crime, defies conventional police/community polarization in favor of real time impacts. No grandstanding here. Just inventive initiatives that bridge divides and improve relationships while addressing difficult social problems.
Go here for the DesMoines Register story. By THE REV. DR. BRIGITTE BLACK, Bethel AME Church, Des Moines; and the REV. DENNY COON, Walnut Hills United Methodist, Urbandale; are leaders of the AMOS Criminal Justice Research Team. This letter was signed by 13 other central Iowa ministers.
Go here for the DesMoines Register story. By THE REV. DR. BRIGITTE BLACK, Bethel AME Church, Des Moines; and the REV. DENNY COON, Walnut Hills United Methodist, Urbandale; are leaders of the AMOS Criminal Justice Research Team. This letter was signed by 13 other central Iowa ministers.
BUILD - 37 Years of organizing excellence in baltimore, md
not over yet by a long shot
A real accountability session with no bull from the candidates. Story here. Food desert transformed into food oasis. Story here. Mayor pressed to do the right thing on jobs program. Story here. Run down park restored with sweat equity and citizen initiative. Story here. Massive school construction initiative backed by ongoing accountability. Story here. Cutting edge analysis confronts political leadership question. Story here.
BUILD's hard, demanding work in Baltimore over nearly four decades reflects rich experience, expansive social knowledge, innovative strategic initiatives and a bright, power-political future. The living wage movement started here. Massive investments in children, youth and schools took root here, whole neighborhoods are being reinvented here (remember The Wire?). Communities struggling with where to go and how to organize would be well advised to look to BUILD (and IAF sister organizations) for a positive way forward.
BUILD's hard, demanding work in Baltimore over nearly four decades reflects rich experience, expansive social knowledge, innovative strategic initiatives and a bright, power-political future. The living wage movement started here. Massive investments in children, youth and schools took root here, whole neighborhoods are being reinvented here (remember The Wire?). Communities struggling with where to go and how to organize would be well advised to look to BUILD (and IAF sister organizations) for a positive way forward.
Keep an eye out!
Student Leadership Coalition shakes up status quo allied with COPS/Metro.
Young leadership talent emerges from Community College ranks. Story here.
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Colorado IAF examines power relationships in CO.
Colorado Organizing Team builds strategic foundation.
Iliff School of Theology plays big.
Unfolding now. A fresh approach to a key state. Analyzing power relationships at First Plymouth CC in Denver.
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Fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, grandfathers gather to address shared challenges. Deep work in schools by Greater Cleveland Congregations.
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Trade union leaders from Sydney Alliance, share their experiences and take a leadership role at the IAF Global Trade Union Leaders meeting in Seattle, Washington.
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Study UP!
Navigating Conflict. Ferguson Didn't. Durham CAN
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"Powder keg communities get that way for a reason. There is a thread of disconnection, broken or non existent relationships, a lack of will and skill to do hard things together. These are the conditions that offer themselves up to outsiders including a voracious media with interests entirely unrelated to the common good."
Excerpt from the Torchlight Blog. Read it here. 
By Frank C. Pierson, Jr.
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Durham is not Ferguson. Why?
Ferguson
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Durham
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Rev Mark-Anthony Middleton, Pastor, Abundant Hope Christian Church, Durham CAN Leader
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"DURHAM, N.C. — One month after a Latino youth died from a gunshot as he sat handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser here last year, 150 demonstrators converged on Police Headquarters, some shouting “murderers” as baton-wielding officers in riot gear fired tear gas." The New York Times story goes on with a startling reversal. Read it here.
Originator warns!
living wage watered down, min wage not enough either
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Jonathan Lange, Center
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"It pains me to say this, but I now believe that the effort going into raising the minimum wage and passing living-wage bills fails to address the fundamental cause of low wages and terrible conditions: a lack of worker power. Those who believe, as I do, that workers deserve a living wage and decent benefits, can’t ignore the fact that twenty years of mobilizing around higher minimum wages and legislated living-wage standards have not closed the wage gap." Read the full text by Jonathan Lange in the Nation Magazine here.
Common Ground Stuns
with Health Coop Enrollment Numbers
Milwaukee Business Journal Story. Go here.
Together Baton Rouge Irrigates Food Desert
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Fast food, junk food and no food to give way to healthy food at reasonable cost. TBR steps into food gap in Baton Rouge. Story here.
Campaign Against Gun Violence gathers steam
 The Rev. James Manship, left, co-chairman of CONECT, speaks at a press conference announcing a joint effort with Do Not Stand Idly By to leverage the purchasing power of state and local governments to pressure gun manufacturers to adopt gun safety technology, Monday at the Morton Government Center in Bridgeport. Arnold Gold — New Haven Register
BRIDGEPORT >> Advocates of reducing gun violence are turning to the basic market forces of capitalism to win the day.
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A total of 63 jurisdictions in 13 states have joined the strategy, “Do Not Stand Idly By,” to push gun manufacturers to promote smart gun technologies if they want municipalities and states to continue buying from them to equip safety personnel.
Full New Haven Register story here. |
Building a Gun Violence Strategy from the Bottom up
Just when you thought the NRA was cleaning everyone's political clock along with their guns, along comes Metro IAF and West Chester United with a smart strategy that leverages broad based local power with a national vision. Have a look here.
Durham CAN plays big in North Carolina!
From the Triangle Tribune: "Durham CAN has achieved a lot in 2014, including launching a comprehensive early plan for affordable housing around the transit station, beginning a review of the zoning incentives for affordable housing, Durham Public Schools expanding the Universal Free Breakfast program to all students in the district, the city council’s recently implemented recommendations on police profiling, and more". Triangle Tribune story here. Durham News weighs in here. Want more? Visit Durham CAN website and get up to speed: http://www.durhamcan.org
EXploding population of oldsters with nowhere to live
Crisis Looms in NYC
Rev David K. Brawley, pastor of St. Paul Community Baptist Church, and Rev Getulio Cruz, pastor of Monte Sion Christian Church, are co-chairs of Metro Industrial Areas Foundation. In this New York Daily News piece they charge local political leaders with deafening silence in the face of a pending tsunami of need for senior housing. Read the Daily News story here.
And guess what? NYC isn't alone in the denial of generational needs.
And guess what? NYC isn't alone in the denial of generational needs.
Common ground Battles Hedge Fund Mega Bucks for Fair Play
A New York Times story captures the battle for better playgrounds, parks and schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin being waged by Common Ground v. hedge fund mega bucks. Required reading for anyone interested in how to engage big power and money on a matter of great local importance to local residents.
"Then there’s another proposal. Southeastern Wisconsin Common Ground — a splendid coalition of churches, community groups, mosques and synagogues — stifled the temptation to shout “No!” to the prospect of funneling precious tax dollars to billionaire owners and millionaire players and coaches.
We like pro hoops, they said. But our children’s playing fields and recreation centers and schools are in dreadful shape. (The Milwaukee school system projects a $32 million funding cut this year). If we’re to invest in an arena, let’s insist on a roughly similar amount for our recreation centers and public school playing fields.
Keisha Krumm, an organizer for Common Ground, offered brutal realism. “They are going to get their arena — I don’t have any doubt about that,” she said. “So let’s get something out of it.” For the full story go here.
"Then there’s another proposal. Southeastern Wisconsin Common Ground — a splendid coalition of churches, community groups, mosques and synagogues — stifled the temptation to shout “No!” to the prospect of funneling precious tax dollars to billionaire owners and millionaire players and coaches.
We like pro hoops, they said. But our children’s playing fields and recreation centers and schools are in dreadful shape. (The Milwaukee school system projects a $32 million funding cut this year). If we’re to invest in an arena, let’s insist on a roughly similar amount for our recreation centers and public school playing fields.
Keisha Krumm, an organizer for Common Ground, offered brutal realism. “They are going to get their arena — I don’t have any doubt about that,” she said. “So let’s get something out of it.” For the full story go here.
Unlikely alliance calls for greater refugee acceptance in UK
Rabbi Danny Rich, Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism, Iman Suliman Gani, Muslim Chaplain of St. George's Hospital and The Rt. Reverand Jonathan Clark, Bishop of Croydon at the Kindertransport Monument at Liverpool St. station
Citizens UK practices a different kind of politics. British-based faith leaders will use next week’s Jewish festival of Sukkot – when temporary shelters are built to remember how Jews fled persecution - to call for the UK to offer shelter to refugees from the war-torn country. Story from the Mirror here.
PCIC puts the public back in Arizona politics
PCIC Accountability Action, Sept 28, 2014 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Tucson, AZ
The list of candidates present was long, the education focussed issues many and the turnout huge. PCIC (Southern Arizona including Tucson) made it all work by driving forward a series of initiatives that will make Arizona a much better place to live and learn. Adult education, K-12, Family Literacy, JobPath, Pima Community College and the University of Arizona - all stepped forward together with religious and non profit leaders to build power and galvanize change. For local media go here.
Aussies step up Down under
Sutherland-St George Assembly, 24th September 2014
A packed hall of leaders from across Sutherland and St George gathered to get commitments from the Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian about transport, and local MPs about the Sydney's housing affordability crisis. If you wonder what the future of social movements should look like around the globe look here.
A packed hall of leaders from across Sutherland and St George gathered to get commitments from the Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian about transport, and local MPs about the Sydney's housing affordability crisis. If you wonder what the future of social movements should look like around the globe look here.
Crank It UP! Politics done right
One LA
At Mary Immaculate Church in Pacoima. Commitments from both Sheila Kuehl and Bobby Shriver, who are running for LA County Supervisor in District 3, to: Increase funding for My Health LA to guarantee coverage of all those eligible; Make the 405 corridor a transit priori tie; Convene a working group on affordable workforce housing near transit; Tour the juvenile home in Sylmar with One LA leaders.
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Greater Cleveland Congregations
At Fairmont Presbyterian Church. Do Not Stand Idly By: Attacking gun violence through sharp power analysis, political accountability and public action.
Greater Cleveland Congregations on the cutting edge of change. Here come the smart guns. Hot story! #DoNotStandIdlyBy |
Austin Interfaith
At Temple Beth Shalom AI challenges mayoral and county judge candidates to confront 30% rate of child poverty. 300 leaders convened candidates for teach in and accountability session on child poverty, housing affordability, immigration reform and human development investment.
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"Fair play" is no ordinary campaign
Common Ground presser highlights new study that bolsters campaign to benefit children, youth and families. Research that matters.
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Common Ground released it’s newest report entitled ‘Envisioning Fair Play’. It includes estimated costs for the first 11 fields and play spaces identified as being in need. It also includes renderings that show what they could look like. Read more here >> http://bit.ly/EnvisionFairPlay
The African Immigrant Caucus Steps up on Ebola crisis
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African immigrant leaders are finding their voice through the African Immigrant Caucus. This is an organizational venture to watch, learn from and support. Pay special notice to the institutions and leaders leading the "We Are All Brothers and Sisters" fundraising event in Washington, DC on September 28.
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Immigrant BAsher resigns
Russell Pearce in 2011(Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)
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Russell Pearce pursued a national audience on his trips to the Nation's Capitol (AP Photo) to deliver his message targeting the undocumented.
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Seeks to Advance Forced Sterilization on Own Radio Show
"You put me in charge of Medicaid, the first thing I'd do is get [female recipients] Norplant, birth-control implants, or tubal ligations. Then, we'll test recipients for drugs and alcohol, and if you want to [reproduce] or use drugs or alcohol, then get a job."
Resigns Key AZ State Republican Party Position. WaPo story here.
"You put me in charge of Medicaid, the first thing I'd do is get [female recipients] Norplant, birth-control implants, or tubal ligations. Then, we'll test recipients for drugs and alcohol, and if you want to [reproduce] or use drugs or alcohol, then get a job."
Resigns Key AZ State Republican Party Position. WaPo story here.
Cathy Mahaffey - common ground ceo
featured in milwaukee business Journal
Cathy Mahaffey, CEO, Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative
Cathy Mahaffey...“The reason I love the co-op business model is it’s all about the mission ... to serve your members.” Isn't this what ALL healthcare providers should be about? Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative proves out a winner on all fronts. Read the story here.
What it takes to build, sustain and grow an IAF organization
A Civic Academy in Austin, Texas on unaccompanied minors from Central America. Causes, conditions and organizational responses.
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COPS pushes back against an attempt by San Antonio City Council to hide from the public on key issues.
Ever vigilant, COPS/Metro continues to thrive as new challenges confront metropolitan San Antonio.
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The Sydney Alliance engages diverse leaders in preparation for a major assembly.
The Sydney Alliance brings IAF organizing to Australia. In refashioning IAF methodologies to fit new contexts, relational organizing for power to make change gathers steam.
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Race and Fear
IaF Organizer Perkins digs deep into a very personal history
Read Perkins on Race Fear here. |
Perry Perkins, center. IAF Supervising Organizer, Louisiana and Mississippi
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Cleveland Guns
Gun Trace data targeted
Greater Cleveland Congregations plays big in this editorial in major Cleveland media.
IAF: A UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC LIFE
TEX SAMPLE LEADS SEMINAR ON SELF INTEREST IN DES MOINES, IOWA
EQUAL/IAF Beats Back 40 Years of Flood Waters
Queens, NYC Organization Makes Huge Gains
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Forty years of surging flood waters have finally met their match in EQUAL. The story in City Limits documents major progress with more to come. Here IAF confronts an intractable problem with indomitable citizen organizing.
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TMO (IAF) Unites Faith Community
Calls for Humane Treatment of Migrant Children/Youth
Bishop Michael Rinehart
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Dynamic story from Houston Chronicle up here. Buzzfeed captures story nationwide through pictures, including United Methodist Church Bishop Minerva Carcano and narrative. Oracle, AZ story and pics are the closer. Go here for Buzzfeed.
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Migrant Hunt in Texas - Militias Turned Loose
Vigilantes mobilize to track migrants
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Vigilante groups slap down feds in pursuit of alien invaders.Houston Chronicle story and pics here.
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Oracle, AZ is not Murietta, Ca
Here's Why
For more, take a look at this video by Dennis Gilman. "Oracle, AZ Is Not Murietta, CA" here.
Read a statement by Bishop Gerald Kicanas, Catholic Diocese of Tucson, here.
Read a statement by Bishop Gerald Kicanas, Catholic Diocese of Tucson, here.
Dallas Area Interfaith Hits Target
Brilliant Localization of Immigration Reform
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Read the story from diverse news sources here. Multi-prong approach includes response to child migrant crisis, exploitation of construction workers, engagement of religious leaders and more.
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AZ Sheriff Tweaks Congressional Candidate into Action -
OOPS...
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The Grand Instigator
Source: Paul M. Ingram/TucsonSentinel.com
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Wannabe congressman Adam Kwasman mistakes campers from a local school district for child refugee terrorists. Makes national news stepping on Sheriff Babeu's heroic fight against child alien invaders. For students of how not to recoup in the face of disaster watch this. Video here.
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Pinal County Sheriff Incites Blockade of Refugee Children
Launches Shameless Chase for Dollars
Source: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images North America 7/14/2014
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MEANWHILE IN BROWNSVILLE, Texas –
"Thousands of immigrant children who have entered the U.S. illegally are being held in crowded, foul-smelling holding cells in South Texas until they're transferred to shelters." -USA Today
"The little children in great danger, holding hands, staring blankly ahead, are pawns in a larger game. That game is run by adults. How cold do you have to be to use children in this way?" -Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal
"The little children in great danger, holding hands, staring blankly ahead, are pawns in a larger game. That game is run by adults. How cold do you have to be to use children in this way?" -Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal
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IAF Responds to Border Refugee Crisis - Breaks in to National Dialogue
On Line Letter and Petition Up
"Dear President Obama and Members of Congress,
We are distressed by the cries of the young mothers, children and adolescents now detained under terrible conditions at our southern borders. Moreover, we suffer with them. We remember that in many ways, our own government policies have contributed to the untenable conditions now driving the refugees to our gates. They are refugees fleeing the drug and gang wars in homelands that currently boast the highest murder rates in the world." READ THE COMPLETE LETTER/ON LINE PETITION HERE. Act now, act fast!
We are distressed by the cries of the young mothers, children and adolescents now detained under terrible conditions at our southern borders. Moreover, we suffer with them. We remember that in many ways, our own government policies have contributed to the untenable conditions now driving the refugees to our gates. They are refugees fleeing the drug and gang wars in homelands that currently boast the highest murder rates in the world." READ THE COMPLETE LETTER/ON LINE PETITION HERE. Act now, act fast!
Border refugee crisis nets thousands of children
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Children, children, children. Detention in TX
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How it works right now
Bright Lights, Powerful Voices
IAF Breaks the Mold to Rebuild Democracy
IAF Nuns Get It Right
Lives devoted to lifting up community leaders link faith to public life in a transformative mode. Read Global Sisters Report here.
Sr Christine Stephens
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Srs Gabriella Lohan and Pearl Ceasar
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Parks Campaign Bears Fruit in Brooklyn
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East Brooklyn Congregations makes waves. Campaign for park improvements gains steam. New York Times story ties it all together. Read it here.
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St Albans, Queens, NYC Gets Storm Sewers
EQUAL Prevails
Photo by Christina Santucci, Times Ledger
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Over a period of years EQUAL fought for a massive public works project to stop recurrent, catastrophic flooding of homes and businesses in Southeast Queens. Read the inspiring story here.
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Capitol Hill Collapse on Immigration Reform
Austin Interfaith/IAF Presses Local Action
Austin City Hall
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With DHS Bureaucrat in Chief Jeh Johnson, Deporter in Chief Barack Obama and Speaker of the Mouse that Didn't Roar John Boehner cowering in full view, Austin, Texas steps up. Look for more local action like this reported by The Horn.
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What's Up with IAF in United Kingdom:
Citizens UK Advances Living Wage
Community Land Trust Solve Housing Crisis?
Citizens UK Campaigns for Living Wage
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Citizens UK Response to Housing Crisis
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Guns, Guns, Guns
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Greater Cleveland Congregations is a national leader in the Do Not Stand Idly By campaign for gun accountability. Along with other Metro IAF organizations, GCC is spearheading an imaginative initiative with great promise to curb gun violence plaguing many regions of the country. Key editorial from Cleveland.com up here.
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JobPath - 15 Years of Excellence
JobPath 2014 Graduates Celebrate Achievement
It's not rocket science but moving individuals from low wage or no wage jobs to high wage jobs in Arizona takes a big political constituency - in this case Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC) - a sound concept, dedicated staff and a sharp eye for job trends. JobPath delivers on all fronts. As a consequence Tucson and Pima County are much better off. No surprise that attendance at the 15 year anniversary celebration topped 400.
IAFCraft - It Takes Practice
Ernesto Cortes, Jr
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IAF is a University of Public Life that teaches and practices relational skills. Read more about IAFCraft here.
Ernie leads relational meeting training captured in 13 minute clip here. |
African Immigrant Caucus Launch
MD IAF/Action in Montgomery help bring remarkable event together. Super pic roll here from Baltimore Sun.
IAF Organizer Nuns Celebrate 50 Years of Service
This week Sr Christine Stephens celebrated 50 years as a woman religious with the Sisters of Divine Providence (CDP). Her storied organizing career includes building or growing every IAF organization in Texas, the Texas IAF Network itself and the West/Southwest region of the Industrial Areas Foundation.
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Sr Pearl Ceasar (CDP) pictured at right is an equally accomplished organizer and currently serves as Executive Director of the nations leading job training program - QUEST - in San Antonio.
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EBC in the Streets of Bushwick...Again!
Hard Press NYC for Better Parks for Families
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"On two different Sundays, one in May and one earlier this month, a combined 700 parishioners from St. Barbara's and St. Joseph Patron of the Universal churches descended upon Green Central Knoll Park at Central Avenue and Noll Street and Heckscher Playground on Linden Street off Central Avenue — part of a campaign by the community organization East Brooklyn Congregations to get city officials to ante up $11.7 million for capital improvements at the parks." Read the full story in City Limits.
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Local Initiatives - National Impact
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Look here at American Banker re payday loans and community pressure. Fierce debate covered here in Times-Picayune.
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Houston Chronicle editorial boosts big Texas IAF training initiative. Here.
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PCIC launches response to crisis conditions of immigrant children. Story here.
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