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! Faith-Based Service Featured at National Summit

In the midst of a neck-to-neck presidential election, a newly formed service coalition sponsored a star-
studded summit last week in New York featuring politicians, pop idols, corporate giants, religious leaders
and elected officials who called for greater dedication to community service. One feature of the summit
was the growing role of faith-based organizations as they partner with government, an effort both Democrat
Barack Obama and Republican John McCain endorsed during appearances at the event. McCain said
while government is the primary human service provider, religious organizations and private corporations
perform some services more efficiently than government and should be encouraged to do so. Obama
has proposed a $3.5 billion national service program that will bolster the work of government and the
private sector, including religious organizations, to provide services. He said he supports the efforts of
President George W. Bush to provide government money for HIV/AIDS relief domestically and internationally.

A major theme of the summit, sponsored by ServiceNation, was the AmeriCorps VISTA program in which
volunteers receive a small government allowance or college tuition to work in nonprofit organizations,
including religious organizations, and government agencies. Obama favors expanding government-enhanced
volunteer programs. McCain said he wants to be careful about expanding programs when private organizations
can fill the needs. Another point of interest was the controversy over whether religious organizations may
consider the faith affiliation of staff, even when employees are paid with government money. Obama opposes
such religious hiring provisions; McCain supports them.

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

Click here for a Roundtable Resource Page on the Hiring Rights of Religious Organizations.

New! Panel Urges Next President to Support Nonprofits in Disaster Recovery

As the Gulf Coast this week works to recover from another in a series of devastating hurricanes, a panel
of policy experts met in Washington, D.C. to discuss an agenda – including the role of faith-based and
community organizations – for future disaster relief and preparation during a new federal administration.
The event, sponsored by Equity and Inclusion Campaign of the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
and the Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity, was held to examine the role of government, nonprofits and
business to reinvigorate recovery efforts and ensure that attention on Gulf Coast rebuilding does not wane
after a new President is elected.

Event moderator Angela Glover Blackwell, founder and CEO of PolicyLink, said she was struck by how
faith-based and community organizations were still providing essential services three years after Katrina,
without sufficient resources. “What is it that government ought to be doing at each level to allow those
groups to do their best?” Blackwell asked the panelists.

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

Click here for a Roundtable Resource Page on Faith-Based Organizations in Disaster Response.

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, the U.S. Department of Labor, and
by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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

Click here for the grants digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Cardin, Ehrlich Square Off; Surrogates for Obama, McCain Debate in Baltimore County
The Baltimore Sun

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8831

Relief Flight to Islands Is First Since Crash
The Bradenton Herald (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8832

Muslims In Memphis - Physicians Put Faith Into Action at Clinic;
Uninsured Patients Get Affordable Care at Facility
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8833

Thousands March to End KC's Bloodshed
The Kansas City Star

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8796

Faith-Based Chief's Essays Gone From Website
Los Angeles Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8805

On the Lookout for Immigration Raids
Los Angeles Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8797

Brief Crossroads, KM Crisis Ministry Receives Grant
The Star

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8798

Pastor: God Is Good At All Times, Even In Storms
The Advocate

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8799

Family Center Opens In Gap; Inaugural Events Continue All Weekend
Intelligencer Journal/New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8800

City Of Lockport: Hope Rekindled On West Avenue
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8801

Motorcycle Ministries Bring Faith to Prison
The Marion Star

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8802

Bush's Faith-Based Chief: Toning It Down
Chicagotribune.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8803

Candidates Promise National-Service Initiatives
The Washington Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8804

Graduate Florence Program Shows Signs of Positive Results
Florence Morning News (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8806

Charis House To Build $2.8m Facility: Complex Will Increase Capacity For Crowded Women's Shelter
The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8807

Faith-Based Groups Help Hurricane Victims In Haiti
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8808

Habitat for Humanity Unveils Plans for Sixth Home
The Daily Gleaner (New Brunswick)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8809

Local Doctor Donates Horses To New Faith-Based Project To Help Woman
LufkinDailyNews.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8810

Adopt A School, WCPSS Seeks Partnerships Between Schools And Faith-Based Groups And The Community
Carolina Newswire

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8811

Providing A Teen Need
The Sheboygan (Wisconsin)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8812

NW Arkansas Center Aims To Create Good Mothers
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8813

Faith leaders get a disaster refresher course
The Sun (Yuma, Arizona)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8814

Kennedy Introduces New National Service Bill
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8815

Faith-Based Groups Watching The National Elections Closely
Businessnorth.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8816

Local Community Organizers Strike Back
The Other Paper (Ohio)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8817

Faith Communities Launch Immigration Reform Campaign
Christian Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8818

North Oldham; River Valley Church Minister Heads Drive for Youth Center
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8819

Group Taps Leaders For Flood Recovery Efforts:
Coalition Picks Director, Case Management Coordinator to Help Flood Victims
The Tribune-Star (Terre Haute, Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8820

Shelters Keep an Eye Out For Ike, Possible Evacuees
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8821

Churches Vow To Help Homeless; Group Working To Open Faith-Based Recovery Shelter
The Detroit News (Michigan)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8822

Illinois Continues Preparedness Efforts
ChicagoDefenderOnline.com

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8823

Turning Together; Network Unites Churches to Better Help Riverside-Area Needy
The Press Enterprise (Riverside, CA.)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8824

Grant Will Help Local Children Whose Parents Are In Prison
San Antonio Express-News

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8825

Grant to Help Newark Test Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative
The Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8826

Interfaith Group Calls On Leaders to Fight Poverty
Providence Journal-Bulletin (Rhode Island)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8827

Church Joins Interfaith Effort to Change Immigration Law
Catholic News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8828

Teen Challenge Seeks Funding To Help Continue Its Mission in Decatur
Herald & Review (Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8829

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 9/16/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_9_16_08.cfm