About this Event
As a follow up to our July 29th roundtable discussion, we will be reconvening with more invited public officials to discuss the importance and merits of an Illinois Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services.
Local congregations and faith-based community organizations (FBCOs) share a long legacy as service providers in the U.S. because of the implicit trust they engender with the communities in which they are situated. Many state governments and agencies have addressed service gaps by leaning on local congregations and FBCOs to deliver social services, particularly because public sector engagement within local communities can be met with resistance or suspicion. To bridge this service gap, many states across the country have created faith-based and community initiative offices. While some Illinois state agencies possess such offices, there is no central office that interfaces with FBCOs. Creating an Illinois office of faith-based and community initiatives, empowered to build long-term collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, can assist with social service delivery, as well as serve as a conduit for helping FBCOs apply for funding and support. Creating an office to support and advocate for FBCOs within the structures of state government may also help coalesce resources to further build capacity of FBCOs and forge meaningful coalitions that can address service gaps.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
JLM Abundant Life Center, 2622 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, United States
USD 0.00
