Nine days after President Bush was sworn in as president, he signed an executive order to "level the playing field" for faith-based organizations and communities in regard to federal funding competition. The fact is, though, that these organizations were always on the field but never allowed a turn at bat. Millions of men, women and children have received aid and comfort from "charities" since that first Good Samaritan many years ago.
The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (FBCI) has held 12 conferences in an effort to create awareness about the funding opportunities afforded to groups with proven successful results. The conference in Pittsburgh last week was staffed with representatives from each of the six government departments (Justice, Labor, HHS, HUD, Education, Agriculture) and USAID charged with the directive to establish centers within their departments to include "expand opportunities… coordinate efforts… remove barriers… disseminate information…." More than 350 organization representatives from across the nation attended the conference.
Conference speaker Jim Towey, appointed by President Bush as the director of the FBCI, described himself as a "pro-life Democrat" who, like the President, is dedicated to a "united effort to help others, that although all were created equal, we have to face the sober reality that there are forces within our society that degrade human dignity." He was formerly the legal counsel for Mother Teresa for 12 years.
Towey's example of a positive-outcome included the faith-based prison Jeb Bush recently initiated in Florida. The prisoners were given a choice whether to remain in the prison-turned-faith-based or move to another facility. When on a prison tour, Towey broke away from the group and asked one of the prisoners why he chose to remain. He responded, "Because it's OK to cry now." Towey said, "the government can not love--but your organizations can. President Bush signed the executive orders to put an end to faith-based discrimination … and to strengthen America from within through armies of compassion."
Although community and faith-based organizations are encouraged by the FBCI to compete for federal funding, and they provide technical assistance, and act as links to agency resources, they do not influence grant decisions. Each department has easy-to-access Web site information that details the grant process and procedures. Legal counsel Rebecca Dummermuth, explained the "do's and don'ts"--constitutional guidelines--which boiled down to "Don't preach on Uncle Sam's Dollar." She also explained about voluntary participation, voucher exceptions, same-faith hiring practices and funding separation.
Keynote speaker U.S. Department of Education Secretary Rod Paige was introduced as "a man of God, a man of prayer." His speech was delivered as forcefully and passionately as a Southern Gospel sermon.
"We in Washington can dole out dollars, give technical assistance, but we, the government, can't change hearts like you can," Secretary Paige said. "It is just as important to teach Johnny what counts as how to count." He added, "We need to stop talking about the 'lost generation' and look at who lost them. We need to harness the power of faith to move the nation forward." Applause resounded throughout the full conference room.
I encourage community groups and faith-based organizations to take advantage of the batter-up position that President Bush has initiated on your behalf. The social services you are providing to aid and comfort your fellow citizens may qualify for government funding. From HIV/AIDS prevention and At-Risk Youth programs to Homeless shelters and Education programs, millions of federal, state and local dollars are available.
Angela Rickabaugh Shears is the Director of Communications for CURE International, in Harrisburg, PA. CURE is a faith-based NGO that establishes teaching hospitals in developing countries for the physical and spiritual healing of disabled children and their families. Shears also served as an intern for Senate President Robert Bunda in 2002.
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