|
February 23, 2012
... speaks about St. John UCC
... scriptural reflections daily
... practical spiritual lessons
... if you want to learn more Members Login Who's Online |
Community Renewal Society Civic Action Network
Hundreds of People of Faith Win Victories for Affordable Housing, Education Funding and Jobs for Ex-offenders!
The Platform for Renewal, developed through a listening campaign encompassing more than 1000 1-on-1 meetings and focus groups, includes adequately funding public education through a progressive income tax, unfreezing the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the Rental Housing Support Program Fund, and expanding sealing of non-violent felony records to create jobs for ex-offenders. At the Assembly, we also celebrated a tremendous win. In recent weeks, after Community Renewal Society leaders met with the Illinois Housing Development Authority and sent thousands of postcards and made hundreds of phone calls, Governor Quinn unfroze the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, making $15 million dollars immediately available for the development of affordable housing! The collective power of congregations in action made this win possible. In the coming months, CRS, in partnership with Access Living and Housing Action Illinois will work to meet directly with Governor Quinn and to expand access to the Rental housing Support Program Fund which provides rental assistance to low-income, homeless, and disabled people throughout the state. But on Monday, we celebrated a terrific victory, moving our state one step closer to making Dr. King's dream a reality. Also, at the Assembly, congregations pleged to distribute over 10,000 report cards to inform other leaders and community members about the responses of elected officials. Leaders also donated more than $2,000 to continue to work of Community Renewal Society and set plans to travel to Springfield for CRS Day of Faith in Action at the Capitol on Tuesday April 24. Check out more pictures from the Faith in Action Assembly. Learn more about CRS action campaigns. For more information contact Alex Wiesendanger, (312) 673-3840 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (312) 673-3840 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, awiesendanger@communityrenewalsociety.org
Register today for the Community Renewal Society 3-Day Organizing Training
Become a leader in fighting for social justice Do you want to organize people in your community or congregation to win change? Are you ready to stand up and take action but unsure how to get started?
Come learn the skills to organize and win! The Community Renewal Society 3-Day Organizing training will challenge your presumptions, confront your priorities, and move you to reflect on who you are capable of being as a community builder.
What: Community Renewal Society 3-Day Organizing Training When: Thursday, February 16 – Saturday, February 18 Where: Community Renewal Society Cost: $300 The deadline for registration is Friday, February 10 so Register Now! Community Renewal Society’s flagship three-day training identifies key organizing principles, how values influence those principles, and how you can become an effective organizer and leader. Civic Action Network staff and guest trainers lead participants through challenging sessions focused on organizing skills and faith-based principles. The training includes sessions on:
We look forward to sharing with you our knowledge of community organizing principles and values. See you in February!
|
On Monday (Martin Luther King Day), more than 500 leaders from Community Renewal Society member congregations converged on Kingdom Baptist Church for the second annual Martin Luther King Jr Faith in Action Assembly. At this powerful gathering, leaders from the Illinois General Assembly, including Senate President Pro Tem Don Harmon, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, Senator Jacqueline Collins, Housing Chairperson Karen Yarbrough, the Chair of the Black Caucus Representative Will Davis, Representative Robyn Gabel, Representative Camille Lilly, and Representative Rita Mayfield endorsed the Community Renewal Society Platform for Renewal! Senator Annazette Collins, Representative Marlow Colvin and Representative Monique Davis did not attend after committing to do so. 
© 2012 St. John UCC, Arlington Heights -- You Are Welcome Here!
