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! Houses of Worship Work to Restore Services in New
Orleans Neighborhoods

Two years after Hurricane Katrina battered New Orleans, local houses of worship are working to re-
establish services in an effort to remake their communities, even as volunteers from large nonprofits
remain in the city to provide help with needs like food and temporary shelter. Faith-based organizations
and other nonprofits played a key role in providing emergency services immediately after Hurricane
Katrina hit shore two years ago, and they remain critical to continued efforts to bring the city back to
life, community boosters say.

Since Katrina, many religious institutions have placed a priority on rebuilding their sanctuaries and the
size of their congregations, with community outreach ministries taking a back seat. But others have
placed an emphasis on their social outreach or have worked at re-establishing services while
simultaneously repairing their houses of worship. Having the help of affiliates seems to be a factor in
churches’ revival in New Orleans, according to research that shows churches did a better job getting
back in operation if they had a larger organization to fall back on for support.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Claire Hughes.

Click here for the Roundtable’s previous coverage of faith-based organizations’ role in hurricane
recovery efforts.

New! An Interview with Rev. Bruce Davenport of St. John #5 Faith Church,
New Orleans

Rev. Bruce Davenport, 55, is the pastor of St. John #5 Faith Church in New Orleans. The church is
in St. Bernard Parish, the 7th Ward, and next to the St. Bernard housing project, one of the city’s
oldest and largest housing developments for low-income residents. St. John Church was heavily
damaged by Katrina and 8-foot-high flood waters in August 2005. Rev. Davenport, with help from
his community and outside organizations, has led efforts to rebuild the church and its services to
the neighborhood.

Before the storm, St. John Church provided help to the community from five adjacent houses. Services
included housing for pregnant teens, battered women and HIV/AIDS patients; computer, education and
job training for adults; youth camps; and after-school computer and education programs for at-risk youth.
Since the storm, Rev. Davenport’s rebuilding efforts have been highlighted by local media. But he is not
without critics. One man who says he volunteered with Davenport has accused the pastor of personally
profiting off donations. Rev. Davenport responds to those claims in this interview.

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. Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, the Corporation for
National and Community Service, and the United States Agency for International Development.

Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs require specific technical expertise,
or experience with particular foreign countries.

Click here for the grant digest, compiled by Roundtable Correspondent Allison Sarnoff with Lisa Montiel.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Nonprofit faith groups help those in need
Utica Observer Dispatch (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6970

Religious content found in prison program: Muslim association pulled out of federally funded initiative
Utica Observer Dispatch (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6971

State House policy could silence civil-rights advocates and religious groups alike
The Providence Journal (Rhode Island)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6983

Effort targets gang life; Gathering in park aims at building ties to aid youths
Rocky Mountain News (Colorado)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6976

Prisoner aid plans face cuts: As more are released early, state has less money to ease transition.
The Detroit News (Michigan)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6977

The long and tortuous road Charity, volunteers slowly reviving Mississippi Coast
The Biloxi Sun Herald (Mississippi)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6978

Faith, not FEMA, rebuilds Doing God's work * Faith-based groups hope to help, lead others to Christ
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6979

Abstinence program receives state funds
The Associated Press State & Local Wire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6980

Voters: Keep God Out Of It: Religion In Election Can Be A Turn-Off
The Courant (Connecticut)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6973

Universal Faith
The New York Times (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6984

Religious Leaders Highlight Critical Role of Faith-Based Efforts in AIDS Battle
The Christian Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6974

Serving from the soul: The Open Door Food Kitchen relies on volunteers, and faith, to get by
St. Joseph News-Press (Missouri)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6981

Anti-Prostitution Group to Expand
The Memphis Daily News (Tennessee)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6982

Katrina Evacuees Two Years Later
PBS, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6975

Schools wrestling with policies under new religious liberties act:
Not all districts have set policy on act meant to clarify students' right to expression
The Dallas Morning News (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6985

Church counseling can help couples stay together
El Paso Times (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6952

Parolee is living proof of the power of faith
Chicago Daily Herald (Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6953

Appalachian Teen Challenge construction creating opportunity to build better lives
Bluefield Dailt Telegraph (West Virginia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6954

Fla. takes kosher off prison menu: Vegetarian and vegan diets remain,
but aren't ideal for Jewish and Muslim inmates.
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6955

Hebrew Charter School Spurs Dispute in Florida
The New York Times (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6956

New Restrictions on Religious Workers Draw Fire From Faith-Based Groups
The Forward

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6948

Hebrew charter school in Hollywood, Fla., halts language classes over church-state concerns
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6949

Faith-based program analyzed
The Associated Press State & Local Wire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6950

Sanctuary Movement Shelters Immigrants: The arrest of Elvira Arellano put the small but
determined sanctuary movement back in the headlines. The fallout-and how its members
hope to capitalize on the attention to put immigration reform back in play.
Newsweek

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6951

'Please don't forget us': At two-year mark, locals continue Katrina recovery
York Daily Record (Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6960

County Plans Early for Homeless Shelter
The Washington Post (Washington, DC)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6961

Home helps women rebuild after prison: Former inmates live with structure
and rules while they work, study
Orlando Sentinel (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6962

Education board opposes intelligent design in curricula: Even creationists
say theory doesn't belong in class with evolution
Dallas Morning News (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6957

US judge rules public funds can be used for church renovations
Christian Science Monitor

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6967

Long-ignored state policy bans religious events at State House
Providence Journal (Rhode Island)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6968

Summit on Faith-Based & Community Initiatives summit set
News-Democrat and Leader (Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6958

Fellow travelers on a faith journey
The Bainbridge Post-Searchlight (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6963

Counselor helps ex-felons find jobs
The Kansas City Star (Missouri)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6964

Ex-inmate shares story, hope; Convicted murderer found faith in prison
Chicago Tribune (Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6965

Parolee shows power of faith: Sheriff's office looks at how church can help reform even the worst criminals
The Daily Herald (Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6966

Workshop helps faith-based youth organizations raise resources
Frost Illustrated (Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6959

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 8/28/2007
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_8_28_07.cfm