Northern Tarrant County Institutions Commit to Building Better Community
A gathering of more than 300 people - from many faiths - marked the Sept. 11 anniversary with memories, discussion and a commitment to build better community. Says Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker of Congregation Beth Israel, "People came up to me to share how...they had never met anybody 'like that' before and yet they found that sense of commonality...of decency...of support."
Read moreWTOS Credited With Turning West Texas Neighborhood Around
"The local arm of West Texas Organizing Strategy, an interdenominational coalition of churches, has been the single biggest community organizing force behind the revitalization efforts."
Read moreAustin Interfaith Victorious on Citizen Participation
"After months of complaints from Austin Interfaith over its limited ability to weigh in on funding for local nonprofits, the City of Austin now says that the group can give City Council members a piece of its mind."
Read moreTexas IAF Workforce Strategies Praised in National Media
MIT economist Paul Osterman names various Texas IAF strategies 'models' for the nation while discussing his new book, Good Jobs America: Making Work Better for Everyone.
In the New York Times he notes that despite low wages in the Rio Grande Valley, "the Valley is not hopeless....community organization Valley Interfaith has pushed for training opportunities and living wage jobs."
Read moreCatholic Bishop of Brownsville ‘Applauds the Work’ of Valley Interfaith in South Texas
Most Rev. Daniel Flores
Bishop, Brownsville Catholic Diocese
"I applaud the work in helping bring water to over 160 thousand people across the Valley, increasing wages for public sector workers to alleviate poverty, working with thousands of residents in acquiring their citizenship, improving learning environments in and around our public schools and the list continues with 28 years of victories..."
Read moreInstitutions of Austin Interfaith Get City to Expand Construction Safety Training
Leaders from the Worker's Defense Project, a member institution of Austin Interfaith, successfully lobbied city council members to pass a resolution that will protect and train workers on all city-owned construction sites, whether or not a third-party is the developer. Until now, city contracts did not require safety trainings where third parties developed city-owned property. The resolution also requires that a safety supervisor with 30 hours of training be present at construction sites.
Read moreThe Border Organization Demands Reestablishment of County Public Defender’s Office
Leaders from The Border Organization demanded that the Commissioner's Court reestablish the public defender's office for the County. Marta Iza Gonzalez-Stitts (pictured right) spoke for the organization.
Local Organization Seeks Action on Public Defender's Office, Del Rio News Herald
Read moreMembers of Austin Interfaith Weigh In On Texas Miracle
Institutional leaders from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, the Worker's Defense Project and the University Methodist Church weigh in on the Texas miracle and its effects on Austin residents.
Read moreValley Interfaith Bids Farewell to Lead Organizer Liz Valdez
Texas Organizations Along South & West Borders Expand Leadership
In effort to expand the membership base beyond Del Rio, leaders with The Border Organization are working to recruit new institutions in neighboring cities such as Brackettville and identifying potential leaders in Methodist and Lutheran congregations in Maverick County / Eagle Pass.
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