An update from the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, an independent research project
of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The public policy research arm of the State University of New York.

New! Durability of Bush Administration's Faith-Based Effort At
Issue in 2008

As it approaches its seventh anniversary, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
has put in place a series of administrative and structural changes that could have implications beyond the
end of the Bush administration. The big question is just how significant – or how permanent – the effort to
encourage grassroots religious groups to provide more social services will be. The answer may depend, in
part, on the ability of the Initiative's promoters to cement the effort's philosophy and practices in this final year
of President Bush's term, observers say.

Some close watchers of the Initiative detect a steady decrease in the effort's visibility over the last several years,
particularly from the White House itself. Others, however, see the past year as a time of expanded presence for
the effort at the level of federal agencies, as well as with state and local government officials, with proponents
emboldened by a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in their favor and an affable White House faith-based
director who has both a strong sense of conviction and a solid strategy.

The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives would not comment on their plans for the coming year. Spokeswoman Rebecca C. Neale stated that it would be a few weeks before officials there would be able to speak about
priorities for 2008. But some observers of the effort offered a few of their thoughts about what may be coming – or at least
what they are hopeful will transpire.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondents Anne Farris and Claire Hughes.

Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community
Organization Eligibility

The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are through programs
administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Labor.

Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs may require specific technical expertise.

Click here for the grant digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Pastor has plan to close test gap; Educators meet with black leaders
The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7545

Volunteer group keeps seniors, disabled moving; Demand up for service's free rides
Detnews.com (The Detroit News; Michigan)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7546

Boosters' mission: make believers; Years of North Lawndale revival talk has
soured some residents but others believe the neighborhood is poised for a turnaround.
Chicago Tribune

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7543

Neighbors say teen home is trouble
The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7544

Samaritan House seen as an oasis
Observertoday.com (The Observer; Dunkirk, New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7547

Christian counseling center offers free services
TheUnion.com (The Union; Grass Valley, California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7548

Merged Bliss Officials begin to create shared vision in 'logical marriage' of Baptist, St. Mary's
Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7529

Pastor wants to fight problems in Poinciana: Ivan Maldonado of Change
Ministries is shepherding a vision to keep neighborhoods from sliding into slums
Orlando Sentinel (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7530

Affordable housing takes shape in Boynton Beach community: 3 homes set for Heart of Boynton site
South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7531

'A Safe Place' Fast-growing Celebrate Recovery program helping people overcome their hurts, habits and hang-ups
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7532

Charities struggle to keep up with need
The News-Press (Fort Myers, Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7533

Soaries offers help to homeowners
The Times of Trenton (New Jersey)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7534

In Global Battle On AIDS, Bush Creates Legacy
The New York Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7549

Faith-based groups prepare to advance their agenda in 2008: As nonprofit advocate,
Virginia center will work on 170 bills this session
Richmond Times - Dispatch (Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7539

Task force delays vote on homeowner aid
The Associated Press State & Local Wire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7540

Jeff Carr, evangelical minister and Los Angeles gang czar
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7527

Faith groups tackle housing
The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7535

Hula Bowl fundraiser boosts transitional housing program
Honolulu Star - Bulletin (Hawaii)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7536

Abundant Life director builds up community
The Clover Herald (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7537

Region to get more nursing home beds
Morning Star (Wilmington, North Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7538

Hope rolls in for fifth time to Hancock County; Group aims to help 200 families
The Biloxi Sun Herald (Mississippi)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7528

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 1/8/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_1_8_08.cfm