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! House Advances Bill to Boost AmeriCorps, Other Service Programs

For the second time in a week, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday (March 11) came close to passing a bill to reauthorize and reform national service laws, including the popular AmeriCorps program. Though a voice vote indicated the bill had support from the vast majority of members, lawmakers postponed an official until Wednesday, March 12.

The five-year reauthorizing bill - the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act - is void of the special provisions for faith-based and community organizations that had previously bogged down its passage. The GIVE Act includes an amendment that supports small, faith-based and community charities that might not otherwise have the capacity to support a full AmeriCorps grant. But that represents a minor provision for religious organizations in comparison to previous bills, which proposed much greater allowances, like the ability to use federal money to employ staff based on religious beliefs.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Washington Correspondent Anne Farris.

New! An Interview with Harris Wofford

Since helping to launch the Peace Corps in 1961, Harris Wofford has been at the forefront of the nation's
service movement. Among the highlights of a lengthy resume, he has served in the Kennedy and Johnson
administrations in positions promoting civil rights, was a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania (1991-1995) and
CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service (1995-2001). Wofford played a key role in crafting
and working to pass the legislation that created CNCS and its AmeriCorps program, and was a key figure in
The Presidents' Summit for America's Future in 1997, which launched America's Promise, a multi-sector alliance
focused on the well-being of the nation’s youth. From 2001-2003, he chaired the Working Group on Human Needs
and Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, which brought together diverse parties to identify potential areas of
agreement regarding how government and nonprofits could work together to address social needs.

Wofford is currently the spokesman of Experience Wave, a national campaign to widen opportunities for older
Americans to stay engaged in work and volunteering. Since serving as CEO for CNCS, he has been a board
member, chair and co-chair of America's Promise. Mr. Wofford also serves on the boards of Youth Service America,
the Points of Light & Hands On Network, and Project Pericles, which encourages colleges to include social
responsibility and participatory citizenship in their educational programs.

Click here to read the interview.

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.

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

Click here for the grants digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Hazy Faith-Based Future
Christianity Today

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7907

Local business leader wears many hats
Daily Press - Victorville (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7910

Legal group says complaints against pharmacist dismissed
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7912

Ivywild OK with halfway house for women, but not for men
The Gazette (Colorado Springs)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7911

Faith-based solutions in forefront
Buffalo News (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7908

Baptist leaders shift on climate change
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7878

178 houses in New Orleans to help renters
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7879

Niagara County: Higher profile for NOAH
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7880

Giving a hand *** Faith groups find ministry as school volunteers
The Advocate

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7881

Cross, stones help Lenten Cross Project participants think about plight of the imprisoned
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7882

Christian dentists volunteer to help those who need it
Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7883

Blessing for busy moms: Semimonthly get-togethers offer time to focus on friendship, faith
The Record (Stockton, California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7884

Food bank depends on Columbia's religious
Colombia Missourian

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7885

Church, school team for presentation: Central Baptist reaches out to the community
through a black history-themed collaboration with Noel C. Taylor Academy.
The Roanoke Times (Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7886

Churches Asked To Do More
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7887

Grants allow small charities to play bigger roles
The Honolulu Advertiser (Hawaii)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7874

Criminalizing the Homeless
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7876

Response To Evict Predators Is Rapid
Tampa Tribune (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7877

Judge: No state funds for college school
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7890

Missouri Department Of Social Services Hosts Informational Forum On Missouri Faith-Based Initiative
US States News

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7903

Interfaith Alliance Criticizes White House School Voucher Effort
Interfaith Alliance

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7904

Number of Homeless Vets Drops 21 Percent; Peake Selected to Chair Federal Homeless Task Force
PR Newswire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7905

Families hit by tornado need more help;
Officials say things have improved but many services still needed
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7897

Senate OKs stronger local control over transition homes:
Otter hasn't said whether he will sign the bill.
The director of New Hope warns that the law would prompt a lawsuit.
The Idaho Statesman (Boise)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7891

Public Citizens for Children And Youth;
Bush Budget Shortchanges Pennsylvania's Children, Communities and Families
Medical Verdicts & Law Weekly

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7892

Former gang members help youths avoid hard lessons
The Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7888

Woman opens transitional home for women in Gautier
Mississippi Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7889

Faith-Based Organizations Express Support for Needle-Exchange Programs
Kaiser Daily

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7893

Former Solicitor General to Represent UCC in IRS Probe
EthicsDaily.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7894

Organizers of faith-based service day are in search of more volunteers
Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7895

Faith-Based Nonprofits Get Advice from Experts: Experts Give Organizations Instructions on Fundraising.
Eurweb.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7875

Meeting to focus on teen abuse of drugs, alcohol
Birmingham News (Alabama)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7898

Remembering and recovering
Americus Times Recorder (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7899

College students renew push to help New Orleans rebuild
Newhouse News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7900

Catholic leaders assured of help on schools
The Washington Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7896

Faith-based jail program comes to an end in MarchIowa court rules project advances religion at government expense;
supporters say it is voluntary, improves behavior
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=7901

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 3/11/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_3_11_08.cfm