| Over the past year, FaithAction has provided over 1,300 FaithAction ID cards to our newest immigrant neighbors, representing 28 different countries who do not otherwise have access to government issued forms of identification. Card holders come from 42 different cities and 20 counties throughout North Carolina (as well as Virginia). We all know we have a broken federal immigration system. The question for FaithAction is - what can we do at the local level to pick up the pieces together in a positive way, creating a better community for all? An ID may be just a piece of plastic for some, but for hard working, family and faith-oriented immigrants the FaithAction ID represents hope and dignity. It has kept many out of jail for simply not having valid ID, and provided access to schools, banks, and libraries; and at a time of conflict between police and minority communities, the FaithAction ID program has helped build greater understanding, trust and cooperation. The FaithAction ID is not the end goal, immigration reform and a driver's license is, but for now this ID has helped to create a safer, more united city for all residents. We are happy to announce that we have received generous support from the SJ Edwards Foundation to host a meeting in December with local stakeholders to expand the influence and acceptance of the FaithAction ID, followed by a regional/state-wide conference on the history and purpose, logistics, and impact of the FaithAction ID program and other ID programs nationally in early 2015. In the meantime, our next FaithAction ID orientation and drive will take place this Friday, October 31st at the Mullin Life Center of First Presbyterian Church (706 N. Greene Street, directly across the street from FaithAction). Doors open at 9am, and participants MUST attend a mandatory orientation at either 10am or 1pm, and must be on time!
Participants must also bring an old photo ID (passport, national ID card, etc..) AND proof of current address (electricity bill, bank statement, etc..)! Please remember that FaithAction ID cards expire after one year, so if your card is expired, pleaes be sure to come to our next ID drive. FaithAction ID cards are $10 cash.
For more information about our next ID drive, call 336-379-0037.
Peace.
Rev. David Fraccaro
Executive Director
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Meet the FaithAction Team!
This fall has been a season of exciting transitions at FaithAction. Our new team is on track to serve 4,000 of our newest immigrant neighbors by the end of the year, while educating and connecting thousands more in our diverse community through our trainings/presentations and Stranger to Neighbor events. It is a pleasure to introduce our three new outstanding Americorps members - Alina Herrera, Molly Duffy, and Sofia Mosquera - who are assisting new immigrants with basic needs (food, housing, healthcare), employment readiness, and English and computer classes. Former Americorps member Sarah Rawleigh has officially joined the team as the program manager of our Immigrant Assistance Center. We are also so grateful for the work of our new administrative assistant, Dulce Verenisse-Ortiz, who has provided crucial immigrant outreach and education. Meanwhile, Marina Castillo Gomez and her team of part-time legal assistants, including Rafael Lopez and Braxton Medlin continue to do an excellent job providing professional, low-cost immigration legal services to hundreds of clients; and Rev. David Fraccaro continues his innovative education and bridgebuilding work as Executive Director of FaithAction. FaithAction photographer and designer Todd Drake has now become an artist in residence with FaithAction (more on that later), and Susan Magas continues to be a major help to the team as a bookkeeping contractor. We are also thrilled to announce the addition of 6 new FaithAction board members, who we look forward to formally introducing in early 2015!
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S2N Multicultural Thanksgiving Celebration - Monday, Nov. 24th!
One of FaithAction's longest and most fun events of the year is our S2N Multicultural Thanksgiving Celebration. Join hundreds of your newest neighbors in sharing food, song and dance, and stories to celebrate our tremendous diversity. Thank you to First Presbyterian Church who continues to graciously host our annual event in the Mulilin Life Center space (706 N. Greene Street, directly across the street from FaithAction). All participants need to do three things: please RSVP here, bring a food dish to share from your culture and/or ancestry, and bring a canned food or diaper donation to support our international food and diaper pantry. You have a larger family to celebrate Thanksgiving with this year!
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Connecting our Divserse Immigrant and LGBTQ Communities Last week FaithAction partnered with the Guilford Green Foundation and S2N Congregation, Congregational United Church of Christ for our most recent Stranger to Neighbor dialogue - Connecting our Diverse Immigrant and LGBTQ Communities. This important event, perhaps a first of its kind in Greensboro, included an outstanding panel of immigrant LGBTQ leaders and allies, and compellling small group discussions that helped our diverse LGBTQ and immigrant communities identify shared values and ideas for future collaboration - "creating alliances and leaving no one behind." Guilford Greene ED Brenna Ragghianti ended the night by officially appointing FaithAction's consultant for this work, Irving Zavaleta to GGF's Advisory Concil; and we are also pleased to announce that FaithAction has received another year of support from the Guilford Greene Foundation to continue our service, education and leadership development work with LGBTQ immigrants.
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A Place for Us - A Great Success!
Thank you to everyone who came out for our 3rd Annual A Place For Us musical fundraiser! A packed house enjoyed incredible performances from local singer/songwriters Loggie Meachum and Molly McGinn, and were amazed by the talent of international renowned pianist Abdiel Vasquez. We were also happy to honor our partnerships with the nurse, physician, and volunteer intrepreter team from our Immigrant Health Center, and the Greensboro Police Department with the FaithAction ID program. A special thank you to all of our donors and sponsors who made this special night possible!
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FaithAction serves thousands of new immigrants each year, while educating and connecting our diverse community across lines of culture and faith - turning strangers into neighbors! |
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Learn more about our legal services, basic needs assistance, and classes. | | | |
| Click here to view the 2013 Year in Review Slideshow celebrating the work and accomplishments of FaithAction.
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