Communities Under Social & Economic Siege After 9/11
Institute provides training and assistance in Dallas September 10th -- 13th
In response to the enormous social and economic ills facing communities in the wake of 9/11, the Faith & Philanthropy Institutes (FPI) Moving Beyond the Walls: Repairing the Breach National Institute - an intensive training for faith-based and community leaders, will convene September 10-13 at the Omni Park West Hotel in Dallas Texas.
The national institutes training will teach critical skills to start, manage and grow faith-based organizations for the work of community revitalization.
Contact: Bob King, III
Covenant communications
972-335-6357; 972-712-5061 (fax)
covenantcorp@aol.com
DALLAS -- August 21, 2002: From Portland, Maine, to Seattle, Washington, cities are facing hard choices as rising post-9/11 costs collide with shrinking revenues. Increasingly strapped for cash, localities are struggling to cope with growing demand for security and other social services.
In response to the enormous social and economic ills facing communities in the wake of 9/11, the Faith & Philanthropy Institutes (FPI) Moving Beyond the Walls: Repairing the Breach National Institute - an intensive training for faith-based and community leaders, will convene September 10-13 at the Omni Park West Hotel in Dallas Texas.
The national institutes training will teach critical skills to start, manage and grow faith-based organizations for the work of community revitalization. Leaders of new, emerging and established organizations will learn to:
- understand their role in community development and organizing,
- strengthen decision-making capacities and organizational planning,
- construct effective programs and services,
- develop and enhance sound administrative systems,
- secure financial support from diverse funding sources, and
- build thriving business and community partnerships.
Economist Max B. Sawicky points to harder times ahead for cities, big and small, throughout the country, as they struggle to maintain essential services. Sawicky notes that long before the disaster of September 11, most local governments were anticipating belt-tightening measures because of the economic downturn that began in March 2001. The events of September 11 made this problem far worse.
Why Train Faith Based Leaders for Community Revitalization...
Our centers of worship and faith-based institutions have always been at the core of building our communities -- whether it be on the economic, social or spiritual levels," said Ben Kinchlow, noted Christian author and lecturer.
Faith-based and community leaders within their own neighborhoods and communities- base their concept of community development on moral and practical principles. The result is a strong commitment to serving others and working to improve the quality of life for the disenfranchised. However, in order to provide innovative, quality assistance to address the current community ills and attract both public and private partnerships, faith-based organizations are realizing the need to develop core competencies in strategic planning and funding procurement to successfully lead and manage their non-profit operations.
Faith & Philanthropy Institute is an intermediary to link community-focused organizations with the essential skills and resources to accomplish the work of community redevelopment," said Sherrye Willis, founder and president of FPI.
The Timing is Critical...
Before the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the nation was already focused on the weakness in the U.S. economy and the means to stimulate it away from or perhaps out of a recession. The economic aftermath of the attack -- a historic drop in stock values, massive layoffs by airlines, and signs of an accelerating decline in consumer confidence -- has erased most doubts among forecasters as to whether the U.S. economy is in recession. The question now is how to deal with it where it hurts the most-our urban communities across America.
We were headed for a downturn even in the absence of the attacks, though the attacks have certainly sharpened the rate at which we are losing ground. Typically in a downturn like this, those who are hit first are those most vulnerable to swings in the economy-minorities, you see the sharp increase in black unemployment. Single moms trying to leave welfare for work." Jared Bernstein, Economic Policy Institute
In light of the new challenges that face our nation, it is even more important that faith-based leaders be diverse in their abilities to assist communities with wisdom, thoughtful guidance and proficiency in managing resources and funds," said Linda Evans, president and chief executive officer of the Meadows Foundation of Texas.
Important Information about the Training...
The Institute, in collaboration with the Fannie Mae Foundation, will offer a free Train-the-Trainer session on September 10th to provide necessary tools for planning and implementing financial education seminars for the community.
Upon completion, attendees will receive training resources to include a financial tool kit featuring the seminar curriculum and participant booklets.
Also, in remembrance of the 9/11 Attack on America, a Prayer Breakfast on September 11th will begin a special day of reflection and healing. Session highlights will include "Repairing the Breach through Racial Harmony" with Coach Bill McCartney of Promise Keepers and a Memorial Luncheon with Christian author and lecturer, Ben Kinchlow." This special day of healing is sponsored by the Foundation for Community Empowerment.
Other keynote speakers during the four-day training institute include: Dr. Kathryn Tenpas, Dr. Amy Sherman and Dr. Robert Franklin.
This is an appointed window of opportunity to develop and bring the work of faith organizations to the forefront and create real change in the communities we serve," said Albert Martin, founder of Changing Directions Ministries, and co-founder of the Institute. It is our moral responsibility to provide the necessary training and expertise to developmental organizations on the front lines of urban renewal as they move beyond the barriers of economic and social blight to change the lives of people in their communities."
There are a limited number of partial scholarships available to attend the training. Leaders must submit a scholarship application by August 31 and agree to attend all four days of the Institute.
Now that the dedicated work of faith-based organizations has commanded new attention in the public square, the need could not be greater for organizations like the Faith & Philanthropy Institute. Through its training institute, FPI provides invaluable, 'nuts and bolts assistance to non-profit organizations seeking to serve their communities more effectively. The Institute has encouraged and equipped many community-serving organizations to take their work to the next level," said Stephen Lazarus of the Center for Public Justice in Washington, DC.
About the Faith & Philanthropy Institute...
The Faith and Philanthropy Institute (FPI) begun its work in April of 2000 to address the growing need nationally to inspire and equip leaders, faith-based organizations and communities with the essential tools to increase capacity and effectiveness in community development and funding.
The Institutes founders, Pastor Albert Martin of Changing Direction Ministries and Sherrye Wills of WillisPartners, Inc. has amassed overwhelming public and private sector support for its educational initiatives for developmental organizations in our communities.
The national institute for leadership development that convenes every year in September has attracted the support of major sponsors including- Washington Mutual, Fannie Mae Foundation, Foundation for Community Empowerment, Bank One, and Guaranty Bank.
Our Alliance Partners also include- Changing Directions Ministries, Dallas Affordable Housing Coalition, Enterprise Foundation, Fannie Mae Foundation, Foundation for Community Empowerment, and WillisPartners: Strategists in Philanthropy.
For more details on Moving Beyond the Walls: Repairing the Breach National Institute," contact Sherrye Willis, 817.685.6597 or 1.888.316.0430; email info@fpiweb.org; or visit the web site at www.fpiweb.org.
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