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Help Protect Our Nation's Most Vulnerable

(Jan 27, 2012) According to a recent study, twenty percent of our nation's children live in poverty. Millions of families are forced onto the streets without homes each year and with the growing impact of our nation's recession, the need for affordable housing is even more critical.

ISNA is pleased to offer you the opportunity to make a difference and actively support affordable housing programs. On February 1 & 16, 2012 Habitat for Humanity will host conference calls, open to the community, that will provide toolkit, resources and information on initiatives that encourage interfaith advocacy on affordable housing issues.

These calls will discuss an Interfaith Advocacy Toolkit and how you can get involved locally. ISNA is working with Habitat for Humanity and our partners at the National Council of Churches and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs to identify a select group of communities to pilot interfaith advocacy efforts on housing.

ISNA is a strong supporter of Habitat for Humanity International and has partnered with them as well. In 2010, when Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake, you helped us raise $67,622 and volunteers for relief organizations like Habitat for Humanity, which played a major role in supplying shelter for the millions of Haitians who were left homeless. During our 2008 annual convention in Columbus, Ohio, you joined us to help build a Habitat for Humanity home. Join us, once again, to make a difference today.

CALL-IN INFORMATION: Further information about both calls is listed below. If you would like to join a call, please e-mail Maggie Siddiqi, Program Coordinator at ISNA's Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances, at maggie@isna.net. We will provide you with the conference call instructions, a copy of the toolkit, and answer any questions.

INTERFAITH ADVOCACY ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING - CONFERENCE CALLS

PART ONE: "Interfaith Advocacy Toolkit: Part One - Eight Step Process."

Wednesday, February 1, 2012:
3pm-4pm EST (Noon Pacific, 1 pm Mountain, 2 pm Central)

The Interfaith Advocacy Toolkit is designed to encourage local community interfaith groups to advocate governments, religious groups, nongovernmental agencies, corporations, labor groups, foundations and individuals to develop the will to make changes and to seek to end poverty by providing adequate shelter for all people. The part one conference-call on February 1st focuses on the eight stage process described in the toolkit. Participants will learn how to develop a local interfaith community, which includes identifying and recruiting participants, developing understanding of one another's beliefs, and establishing trust and respect. Emphasis is placed on expressing faith in action through an interfaith Habitat for Humanity house build, renovation or major repair project. Strategies for aiding the interfaith group to make a long-range commitment to advocacy will also be covered.

PART TWO: "Interfaith Advocacy Toolkit: Part Two - Perspective of Three Faith Leaders" featuring ISNA National Director Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed

Thursday, February 16, 2012:
3pm-4pm EST (Noon Pacific, 1 pm Mountain, 2 pm Central)

The Interfaith Advocacy Toolkit is designed to encourage local community interfaith groups to advocate governments, religious groups, nongovernmental agencies, corporations, labor groups, foundations and individuals to develop the will to make changes and to seek to end poverty by providing adequate shelter for all people. The part two conference-call on February 16th features three very special guests who represent the three largest monotheistic religions- Islam, Judaism and Christianity. One of the values that many religions have in common is the call to service. Christianity, Islam and Judaism have a specific focus on poverty and shelter. Part of the strength of interfaith activities is the sensitivity, acceptance and respect participants foster for their differences. Understanding and appreciating differences between people -- whether religious, ethnic, cultural or economic -- makes the interfaith group authentic. This training call will give your affiliate greater understanding of diverse religious perspectives as you prepare to engage local faith leaders.

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