wfn.org | CRC-NA Organization Helps Churches Tackle Neighborhood Poverty

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Beth DeGraff, US media contact, cell 616-648-7821 or 1-800-55-CRWRC

Andrew Ryskamp, CRWRC U.S. director, cell 616-498-0816

Jay Van Groningen, director Communities First Association, cell 616-403-9309

New Organization Helps Churches Tackle Poverty in Their Neighborhoods

MAY 14, 2009 --- The Communities First Association (CFA) is an exciting new way for churches of all denominations to address poverty in their own neighborhoods -- and work toward community life that is better for everyone in the long-term. CFA?s work is being launched formally by the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
(CRWRC), a founding member of this fast-growing ecumenical movement.

By using ?asset-based community development,? CFA helps churches, organizations, and individuals recognize the resources they already have and then utilize those resources to make positive improvements in their neighborhoods.

Asset-based community development has long been CRWRC?s approach to tackling poverty in North America. It was initially adapted for use with Christian Reformed churches, but in recent years CRWRC has received substantial requests from an increasing range of churches, denominations, and partners who wish to be involved in the approach.

To meet growing requests from across the country, CRWRC started a non-denominational organization called, ?CFA - Communities First Association.? On July 1 of this year, the Communities First Association will become the primary network through which CRWRC does community development in the U.S.

While the shift is significant for both organizations, CRWRC director Andrew Ryskamp says the development ?is the natural and logical outcropping of our organizations? mutual passion for eliminating poverty and transforming impoverished communities in North America. We?re thrilled to unleash CFA to meet demands from within and outside of the Christian Reformed Church.?

CFA director Jay Van Groningen, who is based in Holland, Michigan, describes the new organization as ?an association of independent professionals who help faith communities meet neighborhood needs across America. CFA?s mission is to equip and resource association members to be great coaches and trainers in asset-based community development. It?s becoming the start of a movement of transformed communities across the U.S.?

CFA -- Helping Neighborhoods Address Poverty at Home

Equipping faith communities to make a real difference in their surrounding neighborhoods is the heart of CFA.

At Horizon Community Church, a Christian Reformed congregation in Downer?s Grove, Illinois, church members know the importance of using asset-based community development skills to listen to their neighbors ? and what better way to do that than over ice cream?

Horizon?s members are actively seeking out conversations with their neighbors at Prentiss Creek, a 700-unit apartment complex that borders the church property. With the apartment?s management team, Horizon church hosted a free ice cream social to encourage neighbors to get to know each other and talk about their common concerns. Many long-time neighbors met and began to get to know each other for the first time.

Megan Johnson, a member of Horizon church and volunteer with AmeriCorps, said that turn-out for the event was great. ?We left both doors open and people just kept coming!? Johnson said. ?They were excited to talk about the possibilities for Prentiss Creek and how they could get involved in transforming their community.?

Across the country, at Hope for the Inner City in Chattanooga, Tenn., ministry director Paul Green says that through CFA and asset-based community development, his organization is helping to revitalize some of that city?s more unstable neighborhoods. Green says that this approach helps leaders and communities appreciate their gifts and capabilities, and unleash their capacities to help neighbors succeed and communities improve.

?A number of organizations, agencies, and individuals across Chattanooga are working to bring people together to reclaim their neighborhoods and their lives. Through CFA and asset-based-community development, people begin to realize that the gifts and skills they need for healthy living are already present in their community. Through God?s power, people and communities are being transformed.? And in the process, Van Groningen says, faith communities become healthier as well.

Healthy Churches, Healthy Communities: CFA Networks across America

Van Groningen says that CFA will increase its organizational capacity by connecting the work already being done by CRWRC to the increasing demand for community transformation and shared experiences from other denominations and churches. In turn, CRWRC will retain charter membership in the association while CFA expands its financial and ecumenical base.

?The beauty of CFA is the collaborative learning that takes place between association members,? says George Montoya, a CFA consultant from Los Osos, California. ?Each member brings particular gifts to the association. The work of CFA is to encourage people to work together to harness their assets for the common good while building up both church and  community.?

Members of the press wishing to interview with Communities First Association director, Jay Van Groningen, call 616-403-9309. Those wishing to interview with CRWRC director, Andrew Ryskamp, call 616-498-0816. For more information about CRWRC?s ministries, call U.S. media contact, Beth DeGraff, at cell 616-648-7821.

CRWRC developed the highly successful book, Communities First, which includes a series of workbooks that constitute an empowering guide for churches and organizations, challenging faith communities to engage in and influence the neighborhood around them. For more information or to order resources, go to www.communitiesfirstassociation.org. or www.faithaliveresources.org. Materials are available in Spanish.

CRWRC is a non-profit agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America with offices in Burlington, Ontario, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. CRWRC ministers to the world?s poorest and most vulnerable people in relief, development, and justice education. Incorporated in 1963, CRWRC is now present in 40 countries and has an established, international reputation for ?living justice, loving mercy. ?

> -- Beth DeGraff
> CRWRC Media and Justice Contact
> 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue SE
> Grand Rapids, MI 49560-0600
> 1-800-55-CRWRC
> www.crwrc.org

Note that my email address has changed to bdegraff@crwrc.org.

CRWRC is a registered non-profit agency of the CRC-NA in both the U.S. and Canada.