IMPACT stands for “Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together.” It is a grassroots initiate comprised of 28 diverse faith congregations in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area who wish to live out and work in response to the common call for justice found in each of our traditions.
“And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”- Micah 6:8
Summary of the 2013 Nehemiah Action Campaign
Updates Homelessness Issue: Impact received unanimous support from local service providers to convene for organized collaboration in addressing the 500+ children and 200+ adults who are homeless or unstably housed. Under the direction of city and county administrators, they will begin meeting as a roundtable to streamline their work and be able to apply for more HUD funding than they can alone, among other positive outcomes.
Unemployed Young Adults: We are well on our way toward addressing part of the problem with unemployment among young adults through the development and implementation of a first-rung healthcare training collaborative that brings employers (UVA/Martha Jefferson hospitals), training institutions, and unemployed young people. Plans have begun and Impact is excited to be part of those conversations.
Check the links below for more press coverage:
The Church of the Incarnation is a founding and active member of IMPACT, which began in 2006 and aims to bring a greater degree of justice and equality to the greater Charlottesville area. Not only is IMPACT achieving significant changes in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, but we are also bridging racial, socioeconomic, and religious divides in order to make those decisions to effect change in our community.
In the past five years, our work has centered upon providing mental health services for ex-offenders, expanding bus service, increasing access to free dental care, developing affordable housing, expanding access to early childhood education, and increasing interpretive services. This year (2012-2013), we will continue our campaign on youth unemployment in our region, as well as take on a second issue (to be determined at the Annual Assembly).
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Check out impactcville.com for much more information. If you would like to learn more or to get involved with our IMPACT leadership team, please contact Janie (janieck3510@hotmail.com) or Kristen (kristens@incarnationparish.org).
