Welcome to Two New Networks! Monmouth County, NJ Truckee Meadows, NV

Director Linda Chalakani Lee Derbyshire

Denver Conference Attracts Record Attendance

More than 60 Network directors arrived early Friday to share ideas and discuss such issues as case management, attracting board members and fundraising.

The ballroom was filled Friday night for a kickoff dinner and words of welcome from NIHN's president, Karen Olson; Adams County IHN Director C. Kent Coarsey, and Eileen Hearty, executive director of the IHN of Greater Denver.

Believe in success, Flake urges

Former Congressman Reverend Floyd Flake, senior pastor of the Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Queens, New York, delivered the keynote address.

Reverend Flake encouraged IHN efforts to create affordable housing because "home ownership is a powerful motivator." Author of the autobiographical book, The Way of the Bootstrapper, Rev. Flake urged Network staff and volunteers to encourage guest families to set goals and believe in success.

"People do not have to be limited by circumstances of birth or adversity or gender," said Flake, who picked cotton, delivered papers and did odd jobs as one of 13 siblings growing up in Houston. Flake spoke of the importance of mentors in his life and urged volunteers to help "ensure that everyone is adequately prepared so they can com-pete in a demanding world."

Afternoon workshops included sessions on public relations, family mentoring, fundraising, the Internet, and legal requirements for nonprofits that every director needs to know.

Ernesto Cortes, Jr., Southwest regional director of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), was the keynote dinner speaker. Based in Texas, the IAF is the country's oldest and largest institution for community organizing.

Faith-based initiatives

Mr. Cortes was also a panelist at Saturday's plenary session on Faith, Service and Advocacy. Moderated by Janet Whitman, Vice Chairman of NIHN's Board of Directors, the session panel also included Senior Policy Analyst Joel Harris from the Colorado Governor's Office of Policy and Initiatives; Scot Schneider, President of the Denver chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Denver Post columnist Ed Quillen. There was lively debate on the issues of separation of church and state; the role of government vs. the private sector in helping low-income families; and possible restrictions on federal funding of faith-based initiatives.

After the next session of workshops, participants headed to the Denver Museum of Science for a festive dinner and a scavenger hunt that took guests from Egyptian mummies to dinosaur habitats to Colorado gem mines. The event, planned by our IHN hosts in Denver and Adams County, was a great opportunity to mingle with old IHN friends, meet new ones and discuss the contents of the workshops. The event also offered an afterhours tour of the museum's collections and a starlit din-ner in the atrium.

Songs and goodbyes

In her sermon at Sunday's worship service, Reverend Mary Hulst, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Denver, told listeners that "if you have a home, you live in Paradise." Tim Chartier, a Denver mime, dramatized Rev. Hulst's theme in an unusual and starkly moving performance. The service featured glori-ous singing by the IHN Volunteer Choir led by T. J. Sather, director of the IHN of Spokane.

After a final session of workshops, participants gathered for a last lunch together. It was then time for this branch of the extended NIHN family to say goodbye and go their separate ways - energized by having spent time with others who share the challenges and satisfactions of their chosen work.

To Our Friends in the Mile-High City: A Mile-Wide Thanks

What Would You Do?

"Just Neighbors" Designed to Inspire Community Action

Or consider the minimum wage. Raising it would lift many U. S. households above the poverty line. But would it cause employers to take their business elsewhere? What evidence is there to support either side?

Looking at these issues from every angle is one of the activities of NIHN's new Just Neighbors program for congregations. Just Neighbors will increase awareness and understanding of the obstacles faced by families in need. Moreover, it will create discussion and help congregations develop plans of action to create opportunity for low-income families.

Just Neighbors is not a classroom lecture program but a unique, participatory series of compelling videos, small-group and large-group discussion, simulations and other interactive exercises.

Just Neighbors will motivate congregations to put their faith into action by meeting immediate needs and advocating for long-term solutions. Examining specific issues such as housing, employment and racism, participants are encouraged to consider public policies in the context of their faith.

NIHN Social Justice Coordinator James Winans presented a preview of the program at NIHN's national conference in April. Participants in his workshop, From Awareness to Advocacy, discussed issues of affordable housing and minimum wage. The experience, many agreed, provided a new perspective, fresh insights and motivation.

"Even though I've been very involved with IHN for more than four years, the Just Neighbors workshop was really eye-opening," wrote Carol Doubblestein of the Grand Rapids IHN. "We're hooked," said Jan Varnel of the Chattanooga IHN. "We can't wait to deliver this to our board, volunteer coordinators, clergy and others. It is very professionally done."

Karen Hosler Kispert, of IHN of Indian Valley, PA, said, "The curriculum teaches congregations how to add the work of justice to their acts of mercy."

Just Neighbors will be available in early 2002, but there are ways for congregations to get involved now. Final trials of the various modules are taking place in congregations throughout the summer and fall. Many conference attendees have volunteered to facilitate these "dress rehearsals." To learn more about Just Neighbors or to bring it to your congregation, please call or email James Winans at NIHN.

NIHN Introduces Family Mentoring

Harold's family was one of the first to enter NIHN's Family Mentoring pilot program, and George F., a Network volunteer, was among the first to be trained as a mentor. Together they have accomplished a great deal. George helped Harold refresh his driving skills and obtain a driver's license. With that, he was able to get a better paying job. George helped Harold set several goals: find an apartment during his stay in transitional housing, manage his diabetes more carefully and complete a parenting course. Harold has found an apartment and now sees a doctor regularly. He credits George with helping him take a proactive approach to his responsibilities.

Carmine and Steve, business colleagues and co-mentors, analyzed Lisa and Abel's budget and helped them move from transitional housing to an apartment of their own, a major step toward independence. Like many low-income families, Lisa and Abel have had past problems paying taxes. Carmine and Steve are helping them negotiate a workable payment plan with the IRS as another step toward financial stability.

John and Terri have been short-listed for a Habitat for Humanity house with the help of their mentor. They tell us he has improved their parenting skills and their communication with their children.

NIHN Mentoring Director Janet Molnar presented these and other mentoring success stories in workshops at NIHN's national conference in Denver.

Family Mentoring originated as a response to Network volunteers who wanted an organized way of continuing to help families after their Network stay. As mentors, they help families connect with community resources and secure entitlements like food stamps, earned-income tax credit, child care and child support. They can also help a family define and set goals and recognize their own strengths and assets.

The program's goals are: