West / Southwest IAF
The West / Southwest Industrial Areas Foundation is a network of broad-based institutional organizations building power to revitalize our democracy for constructive social and economic change.
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Read below for recent victories. Click here for more Updates and Press:
May 17, 2012
VIP Triumphs in Restoring $6 Million in Services to City Budget
“Earlier this year, a faith-based political-action group began putting pressure on Phoenix officials to reinstate some services after noting there was no additional funding planned for after-school programs in the initial version of the city’s budget proposal.
The Valley Interfaith Project, comprised of 40 church, school and neighborhood groups, applauded the council and city officials for agreeing Wednesday to restore nine after-school programs, and to extend swimming pool and library hours….”
Phoenix Budget Reinstates 9 After-School Programs, The Republic
April 30, 2012
Together Baton Rouge Wins Historic $17M Transit Election
Triumph of a proposition for funding public transit follows a 15-month constituency building campaign that brought together diverse institutions from across the city. Local leaders focused on neighborhood issues and organized a 1,000 person assembly to launch a month long effort to Get Out the Vote.
In photo, Diana Dorroh and Deborah Quinn of Together Baton Rouge team up Saturday morning to walk Baton Rouge neighborhoods and encourage voters to cast their ballot in support of CATS. [Photo Credit: Libby Isenhower, The Advocate]
One month ago, more than one thousand institutional leaders from across the city convened at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church with a plan to pass a ballot initiative. This plan relied on thousands of conversations — in congregations, at parks, in neighborhoods — to convince voters to pass a property tax increase to dramatically overhaul the city’s bus system to reduce waiting times and provide better service. The property tax will raise sufficient funds to expand and improve the Capital Area Transit System, and bring about greater accountability and oversight.
New Force in Community Shows Strength, The Advocate (05/03)
CATS Tax a Victory for Together BR, The Advocate (4/30)
BR, Baker Pass CATS Tax, The Advocate (4/23)
CATS Faces Culture Shift, The Advocate (4/23)
Click here for additional background on Together Baton Rouge’s constituency building campaign.
April 21, 2012
Project IOWA Antidote to Critical Skilled Worker Shortage
“Project IOWA is a faith-based initiative in Des Moines that provides worker training….’The workers know this is their best chance at changing their lives, and they’re giving it their all,’ said Fugenschuh…”
Des Moines Area Community College welding student Jason Gregory, right, works with instructor Jeff Pratt. Gregory is part of Project Iowa, which was founded by AMOS and helps workers get the training they need to find jobs.
[Photo Credit: David Purdy, The Register]
Job Training Programs Available, Des Moines Register
Iowa Sees Shortage of Skilled Workers, Des Moines Register
February 12, 2012
1,180 Leaders Launch VOICE in Oklahoma City
“Four years ago, a group of concerned citizens began the Oklahoma Sponsoring Committee (now called Voices Organized in Civic Engagement, or VOICE) to advocate for the residents of Oklahoma City. They held dozens of small meetings in churches and public places to understand the concerns of the local people—the struggling local schools, an inadequate public transportation system, the lack of dignity afforded to undocumented immigrants and the lack of opportunities for people after getting out of prison.”
On February 12th, almost 1,200 leaders from 23 institutions and 8 denominations gathered to launch VOICE: Voices Organized in Civic Engagement. Dr. George Young, pastor of Holy Temple Baptist Church asked, “Who will speak for me? …Do you hear the rumbling?…Do you hear the roar?…I add my voice to the roar: VOICE!”
Video of Founding Convention, Dr. George Young [4:11]
VOICE for the Voiceless, World Next Door
Voice Facebook Page, VOICE-OKC
January 19, 2012
Valley Interfaith Convenes 2nd Interfaith Immigration Conference
“About 60 clergy leaders from the Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran and Methodist churches took part in Valley Interfaith’s second annual conference to promote immigration reform and educate religious leaders about its issues. The convocation follows Valley Interfaith’s October 2010 event where church leaders unveiled what they believed should be principles of immigration reform, such as upholding family unity, providing legal avenues for migrant workers and creating a path toward citizenship.
But Thursday’s convocation was highlighted by the personal stories of immigrants cornered by the nation’s laws…”
Photo features Bishop Daniel Flores of the Brownsville Catholic Diocese seated with Rev. Linda Whitworth-Reed of the First Presbyterian Church of McAllen.
Valley Religious Leaders Call for Humane Immigration Laws, Rio Grande Valley Monitor
Bishop Flores: Laws Exist for Good of Human Community, Rio Grande Guardian
[Photo Credit: Joel Martinez, Rio Grande Valley Monitor]
January 18, 2012
PCIC Negotiates Local Lending for Tucson Energy Efficiency Program
Last summer, Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC) leaders learned that local residents would be required to use an out-of-state bank for loans under Tucson Electric Power’s 2011 Energy Efficiency Proposal. Knowing this would create a stumbling block for individuals, and knowing Tucson’s local economy would benefit from local financing, PCIC requested that the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) require a local bank. ACC staff agreed to make this recommendation—IF—PCIC could find a local lender. PCIC leaders met with many bank and credit union officers.
Result: an innovative agreement between Tucson Electric Power and Vantage West Credit Union for loans to local ratepayers.
January 13, 2012
NCLISC Raises $300K for Training in Louisiana Delta
The Northern & Central Louisiana Interfaith Sponsoring Committee leveraged an additional $300 thousand in order to expand workforce development project New Opportunities, Vision, Achievement (NOVA) into three rural regions of the Louisiana Delta. $150 thousand came from the federally established Delta Regional Authority and required approval from Republican Governor Jindal. Another $150 thousand came from a private foundation. NOVA enrollees typically start out earning below minimum wage; graduates earn more than double that within one year of completion.
December 31, 2011
‘No Arguing the Fact That Project Quest Works’
San Antonio’s Workforce Development Task Force, composed of a diverse collection of city and county representatives, leaders in the business and health community, and executives from two universities and a community college, reported their findings and unanimous recommendation to City Council: “Expand funding for long term training program Project Quest.”
The San Antonio Express News editorial board declared, “There is no arguing the fact that Project Quest works.”
Project Quest Program Faces Fiscal Challenges: Leaders Taking Proactive Approach to Keep Program Viable, San Antonio Express-News
December 20, 2011
AMOS Leverages $100 Thousand for Project IOWA
In Iowa, AMOS won an additional $100 thousand for Project IOWA; Republican Governor Branstad included the project as a line item in the state budget as demonstration of support. Twenty students were selected and are prepared to begin coursework in early 2012.
December 20, 2011
The Border Organization Expands Into Elementary Schools
Along the Southern border of Texas, one leader’s confrontation helped triple The Border Organization’s reach into local elementary schools. When a principal failed to split up a kindergarten class that had 32 children, against district policy, her inaction was challenged by a mother after school.
The principal dismissed her, claiming lack of time. The mom’s response: “My floors are unswept, the beds are unmade and my husband is preparing his own meal — you have time to talk.”
She then got the superintendent on the phone to remind the principal to hire the added teacher. A new teacher was hired that day, and the superintendent invited The Border Organization to organize house meetings in three schools.
November 24, 2011
Capital IDEA Boosts Outcomes for Graduates and Their Children
“Eloina Serna wasn’t the only one in her family who benefited when she signed up with Capital IDEA…. 90 percent of [graduates'] children who are now 18 or older earned a high school diploma and 64 percent of those children earned a college degree or are currently enrolled….”
Capital IDEA was founded in 1998 by Austin Interfaith, in partnership with Central Texas business leaders, to lift “families out of poverty through workforce training, especially in high-demand occupations such as health care, information technology, utilities and skilled trades.” Capital IDEA graduate Eloina Serna poses with son in photo above.
Workforce Training of Parents Boosts Children’s Aspirations, Austin American Statesman
[Photo Credit: Laura Skelding, Austin American Statesman]
November 21, 2011
Together Baton Rouge Rebuilds: Cemetery, Bridges, Transit
“More than 150 community activists on Tuesday applauded a state agency’s move to sue the owners and overseer of a historic north Baton Rouge cemetery they say has fallen into an embarrassing state of neglect.
The three lawsuits…set the stage for appointment of a receiver to take over managing Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery, Assistant Attorney General Ryan Seidemann told members of Together Baton Rouge at a luncheon meeting at St. Mary Baptist Church.” In photo, leader Roena Wilford shows how graves crisscross.
Read below for additional stories about bridge opening, cemetery cleanup and transit strategy.
Officials Open Bridge After 2 Years, The Advocate (11/21)
Together Baton Rouge: Help CATS Again, The Advocate (11/16)
Our Views: Giving Back In Community, The Advocate (11/09)
Crowds Turn Out for Cemetery Cleanup, The Advocate (11/06)
Baton Rouge Cemetery Suit Applauded, The Advocate (11/04)
[Photo Credit: Bill Feig, The Advocate]
October 31, 2011
W/SWIAF Executive Director Speaks on Workforce Development
IAF Co-Director Ernesto Cortés Jr., participated in a panel discussion alongside Robert Walsh, NYC Small Business Services Commissioner, and Ray Suarez of PBS Newshour; the event was hosted by the Aspen Institute.
Cortes asserts, “There are all kinds of sectors which are begging people to come into their profession, but unfortunately there are not the long-term job training programs to revive those skilled workers…. A lot of the work we’ve had to do is the political work of creating the political will …to create the funding streams to pay for training…”
Watch video of roundtable here: What Will It Take? Building the Economy We Want, The Aspen Institute
Today’s Jobs Require Long-Term Training, Kansas City Infozine
October 30, 2011
Building on Austin Win, TMO Fights Wage Theft in Houston
Building on an Austin victory criminalizing wage theft statewide, TMO institutions take the fight against wage theft to the pews.
“For The Metropolitan Organization, the wage theft law is not just about employees’ rights; it is a way to carry out immigration reform in the current political climate. The Rev. Kevin Collins (photo right), the organization’s co-chairman, says that… they [immigrants] will still benefit from the reform.
‘It will start to change the culture,’ Mr. Collins said, alluding to the employers of illegal immigrants. ‘They’ll start to say, ‘I can’t get away with this like I thought I could.’ ”
Enforcement is Next Task for Law on Wage Theft, New York Times
[Photo Credit: Wenjing Zang for Texas Tribune]
October 26, 2011
OTOC Wins Rental Housing Reforms in Omaha
An alliance of Omaha churches and community groups celebrated Tuesday after the City Council unanimously approved measures to increase fees for city building permits and inspections…About 30 members of the group Omaha Together One Community filled …council chambers as seven of its members testified in favor of the amendments…”We know that many owners respond by fixing the problem. Our concern is with those who do not,” said OTOC member Susan Kuhlmann of Omaha.”
The Council unanimously voted ‘yes’ on all three ordinances.
Council OK’s Fee Increase, Omaha World Herald
Increase Fees for Code Violations, Letter to the Editor
Hike in Home Inspection Fees Mean to Tackle Dilapidated Homes, KVNO News
October 27, 2011
One LA / IESC Halts Proposal for Waste Transfer Station
“We believe healthy communities require willing institutions to engage with each other in the public square for the common good…”
– IESC Statement
Pomona Waste Transfer Station Plan Halted with Failure of Planning Commission to Reach a Decision, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (10/27)
Transfer Station Essentially Killed by Pomona Commission, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (10/26)
Civic Engagement Requires Preparation, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (10/25)
(Photo Credit: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)
October 27, 2011
Jeremiah’s Soft 2nd Mortgages to Help 1,000 New Homeowners
Four years ago, the Jeremiah Group created, fought for, and won approval for a proposal to set aside $75 million for home ownership in Louisiana (with $52 Million for New Orleans).
The Times Picayune reports that “the $52.3 million ‘soft-second mortgage’ program has endured many starts and stops over the years. The program was approved nearly four years ago by the state and former Mayor Ray Nagin, but it never got off the ground.
The faith-based Jeremiah Group, however, continued to fight City Hall for the money until it finally became a reality.”
Mayor Mitch Landrieu Says Soft-Second Program Will Support Up To 1,000 New Homeowners, The Times Picayune
Mayoral Press Conference, New Orleans Mayor
[Map Source: The Times Picayune ]
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