6.5 The Role of Faith Based Providers
Speaker: Claas Ehlers
It can be challenging to ensure that all of the key players are participants in the planning and implementation of community initiatives to end homelessness. This workshop will explore how to engage and work with faith-based providers who are key providers of services and transitional housing. Part of the discourse will include looking at philosophical differences among organizations as well as different service models and how they can be combined into a cohesive community response.
1. Mobilizing the Faith Community to
Address Family Homelessness
Claas Ehlers
Director of Affiliate Services
cehlers@familypromise.org
2. Definitions
Faith-Based Providers:
Salvation Army, Rescue Missions, Church-run shelters and
service programs, Denominational CDCs, YMCA/YWCA/etc.,
Habitat for Humanity
Faith Community:
Congregations, judicatorial bodies, interfaith alliances,
ministeria, religious schools
3. Why be part of the CoC
Coordinated approach
Funding
Trends
Census
Referrals
Nature of families served
4. Re-Aligning Who You Are and What You Do
Housing First
Interim Housing
Solution-oriented
Ending culture of
shelter
Reducing time in
shelter
7. Best Practices in Working with Faith Community
Direct Service
Material Support
Professional Services
Financial Support
Advocacy
8. What you need to have in place
Expectations
Time and leadership
Clear and effective
communication channels
Patience and flexibility
Specific calls to action
9. How to approach the faith community
Ministerial/Interfaith Groups
Existing agendas
Inability to act as a group
Overcommitted clergy
Connections
Internal referrals are best
Lay leaders
Face-to-face contact
10. Issues relevant to the faith community
Social issues
Serving unmarried or
same sex couples
Proselytizing
Approach
Other partners
Involving children
directly
11. Tips
Ignorance beats
assumption
The more specific the
better
Use pictures, stories
Have friends in the
religious community
help you find the
language and references
12. Tips
Talk:
Find out where people you know worship, how
engaged they are in issues and who to approach
at the congregation—and use your connectors
names
Thank:
Acknowledge everything a congregation does
Leaders:
Find lay leadership for your efforts
Connect:
Person-to-person connection, letters, emails