wfn.org | Welfare Reform Affects UM Institutions

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

CONTACT: 	Linda Bloom
(10-21-71B){98}
		New York (212) 870-3803			  Feb. 23, 1998
 
NOTE: This is a sidebar to UMNS story #97.

Global Ministries team
targets welfare reform

		by United Methodist News Service

	The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has created an
executive staff team to deal with its response to welfare reform.
	The team has analyzed the impact of welfare reform on community
and institutional ministries, annual conferences, local churches and
United Methodist Women (UMW). It also is developing a process to promote
a social justice response to welfare reform through education, advocacy
and community-based organizing.
Recently, UMW social action coordinators in the conferences were asked
to contact any welfare reform coalitions that are addressing the issue
of lifting people out of poverty, said Glory Dharmaraj, a team member
from the Women's Division.
UMW interpretation and education coordinators are being encouraged to
talk with directors of mission institutions in their areas about the
impact of welfare reform and how UMW could assist in solutions, she
added.
The team is investigating alternatives to welfare created in other
countries and is distributing a booklet, "Welfare, Workfare and Jobs,"
which offers national and local model programs.
A video, "Women and Children First: A Faith-Based Perspective on Welfare
Reform," and study guide for local church groups are also available from
the Women's Division's Office of Public Policy. Call (202) 488-5661 for
more information.
				# # #

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