March 2008
Thanks to everyone who came to the FAITH Matters gathering this month at Leo Baeck Temple, and to our guest presenter, David Levinson, who discussed the practical ways in which every individual can make a difference in our communities through a collective effort such as Big Sunday.
We encourage everyone to help mobilize your faith groups to participate in two upcoming community events:
May ‘08
1. Big Sunday: May 3-4, 2008 (www.bigsunday.org)
Big Sunday is the largest annual citywide community service event in America, which mobilizes and empowers volunteers to build community through community service. Its mission is driven by the belief that everyone has some way to help someone else.
June ‘08
2. Project Y!MBY Connect Day: June 26, 2008 (http://www.epath.org/yimby/index.php)
PY! Connect Day is a service-expo that brings local, private and public service providers together with hundreds of community volunteers in one location, for one day of intensive outreach, emergency care, and access to existing programs for housing, counseling, benefits and employment assistance. On Connect Day, people who are homeless will find everything from haircuts and foot care to medical exams and housing.
The co-chairs from our FAITH Matters committees also shared updates on actionable steps to engage the network in areas of Community Engagement, Public Awareness Events, and Policy and Planning.
We would like to encourage you to consider being more actively involved by signing up to participate in a committee. Please email me at gracey@epath.org for more information.
Don't forget to save the date for our next FAITH Matters luncheon at PATH!
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Time: 11:30 AM "“ 1 PM
Location: PATH Regional Homeless Center
Address: 340 N. Madison Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004
Please RSVP at gracey@epath.org or (323) 644-2213
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On Tuesday, April 8, 2008, FAITH Matters will gathering for it's quarterly luncheon in our continuing effort to mobilize the faith groups towards the goal of ending homelessness in Southern California.
The luncheon will include guest speaker, David Levinson, the Executive Director of Big Sunday, who will speak on the Jewish tradition of Mitzvah and community social action.
If you would like to RSVP for the luncheon, please contact Grace Yi at gracey@epath.org or (323) 644-2213.
DATE:
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
TIME:
11:30 AM - 1 PM
LOCATION:
Leo Baeck Temple
1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Parking lot is available
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January 2008
After the success of last summers first FAITH Matters. luncheon at the PATH Regional Homeless Center, over 50 individuals representing over 90 faith groups gathered together on January 15th at Immanuel Presbyterian Church to continue the work of mobilizing faith groups to end homelessness through community engagement, advocacy, resource development, training, and the sharing of experiences.
Jonathan Hunter, the Managing Director for the Western Region of The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) was the luncheons guest speaker. His insightful and motivational presentation on the topic of "Lessons Learned in the Past: "How Institutional" Churches Transformed American Cities During the Turn of the Century," powerfully addressed the historical origins of faith congregations making great strides in social action during the time of the Industrial Revolution by feeding both the physical and spiritual needs of the residents living in their communities.
Since the inception of the initiative, FAITH Matters. has effectively helped mobilize over 860 walkers for its first call to action, the HomeWalk, (LA Countys first homeless walkathon last November). At this past luncheon, FAITH Matters. announced the formation of the initiatives Visioning Council in which members, including its founding partners (PATH, OPCC, LA Family Housing, and CSH) and faith representatives of the network will guide the network in the priorities of community engagement, public awareness events and policy and planning.
The next FAITH Matters. luncheon on April 8th at Leo Baeck Temple will feature David Levinson, Executive Director of Big Sunday, who will speak on the Jewish tradition of Mitzvah and community social action. Big Sunday is a community-wide service day (May 3-4, 2008) that will mobilize hundreds of people from various faith groups, schools and other community groups to volunteer at local agencies and organizations in Los Angeles County.
To rsvp or receive more information about FAITH Matters. contact Grace Yi at (323) 644-2213.
