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Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Blog

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Caring for America’s Veterans: Bridging Chaplaincy and Mental Health Care

Veteran’s Affairs is hosting a training this week in San Diego to help faith-based organizations connect and serve veterans and their families.
January 18, 2011 at 5:20 PM ET by Rev. E. Terri LaVelle

Managing School-Community Partnerships is a Full-Time Job

The U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service have resources that can help community-based organizations and schools build enduring partnerships to improve persistently low-achieving schools.
January 11, 2011 at 2:50 PM ET by Michael Robbins

Fighting Flu in Every Community

Alexia Kelley and Dr. Anand Parekh describe a recent flu vaccination clinic hosted at a Hindu temple in the Washington DC area.
January 10, 2011 at 2:05 PM ET by Alexia Kelley and Dr. Anand Parekh

Department of Homeland Security Faith-based Office Changes its Name

DHS Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives changes its name to align with the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
January 7, 2011 at 11:57 AM ET by Terry Monrad

January is National Mentoring Month

Celebrate National Mentoring Month and MLK Day in your neighborhood by volunteering or through community service. Learn the different ways you can get involved.
January 6, 2011 at 5:35 PM ET by

Here’s What You Had To Say--Part 2

Second in a series highlighting comments from our valuable blog readers and active participants. Whether you are a regular reader or intermittent visitor we want to hear from you!
January 6, 2011 at 10:56 AM ET by

Administrator Shah Speaks to Faith-Based Leaders at White House Feed the Future Event

The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the Centers at USAID and USDA hosted a Feed the Future event convening over 30 faith-based leaders with experience in food and agriculture programs. Administrator Shah announced four innovative opportunities for NGOs to partner with USAID.
January 5, 2011 at 3:43 PM ET by Ari Alexander

Federal Government Aims to Eradicate Chronic Homelessness by 2015

The Obama administration has been committed to preventing and ending homelessness both in funding and in coordinating federal government efforts to address the issue. The US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) has four key goals involving a partnership between Federal and non-profit organizations.
January 5, 2011 at 12:20 PM ET by Ben Seigel

Engaging Faith and Community Organizations at Dept of Education

U.S. Department of Education announces priority for faith-based and community partnerships in grant competitions.
January 4, 2011 at 3:30 PM ET by Michael Robbins

SBA’s New Initiatives for Underserved Communities

With small business owners and entrepreneurs in traditionally underserved communities continuing to face challenges accessing capital, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced on Dec 15th two new initiatives aimed at increasing SBA-backed loans to small businesses in these markets.
January 4, 2011 at 9:00 AM ET by Jerry Flavin

Interfaith Dialoguing at National Coalition for Burned Churches Event in Atlanta

DOJ Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships participated in the 13th Annual National Church Burning Status Conference on December 10th.
January 3, 2011 at 6:22 PM ET by Eugene Schneeberg

Volunteers Serve Hospitalized Veterans at the DC VA Medical Center

The Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships coordinated and participated in the 3rd annual American Legion Auxiliary Holiday Gift Shop. This annual holiday program provides hospitalized Veterans an opportunity to give gifts to their family members and friends who visit during the holidays.
December 21, 2010 at 11:34 AM ET by Stephen B. Dillard

VA Supports the Veteran Women Resource Center Open House

Veteran Women Resource Center Open House offered opportunities for the VA staff to connect with women Veterans and assist and inform them of the many programs and service available.
December 20, 2010 at 4:55 PM ET by Rev. E. Terri LaVelle

Ari Alexander at USAID Receives Presidential Recognition Award

Ari Alexander, Director of the USAID Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Office, was recognized recently by the President during a visit to the Oval Office for his efforts on local capacity building with procurement reform and work to promote engagement of faith-based organizations and other constituencies in development.
December 20, 2010 at 10:52 AM ET by Benjamin Hubbard

Boosting Green Opportunities

The Faith-based office’s Ben Seigel describes a recent meeting at the U.S. Department of Labor with several national foundations supporting investments in green jobs.
December 15, 2010 at 2:58 PM ET by Ben Seigel

Meeting to Discuss Civic Engagement in Communities Responding to Homelessness

The VA Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships office hosted a meeting with over 80 people from across the country to discuss civic engagement in communities responding to homelessness.
December 14, 2010 at 10:24 AM ET by Rev. E. Terri LaVelle

Here’s What You Had to Say…

We love to hear from you, our readers, about our blog postings, the activities we are doing and whether this information has been beneficial or insightful. On a regular basis we will highlight the comments you submit to the White House Partnerships email or to any of the 12 Centers for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. So let us know what you loved, what you didn’t and how we can make our blogs and websites better for you, our readers.
December 10, 2010 at 2:50 PM ET by

USDA Helps People Realize the American Dream In Washington State

Two USDA office's are working together to highlight how USDA's programs are being utilized by nonprofits, secular and faith-based, to assist low and very low income individuals become homeowners.
December 9, 2010 at 5:54 PM ET by Gayle Hoskison

Veterans’ Roundtable Event to Be Held in Louisville, KY on December 16.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP) is co-hosting a Veterans Roundtable, Faith-based and Community Organizations Working Collaboratively with VA, in Louisville, Kentucky.
December 9, 2010 at 11:36 AM ET by Rev. E. Terri LaVelle

Faith and Communities Help Spread the Word on the Seasonal Flu Vaccine

Alexia Kelley, director of our faith-based office at HHS, describes how faith-based and community organizations are helping get out the word that every person 6 months and older should get the seasonal flu vaccine.
December 7, 2010 at 12:59 PM ET by Alexia Kelley

The United States Government’s Response to the Carmel Fire

On Monday, December 06, 2010 USAID hosted a conference call about the government’s response to the Carmel fire in Isreal.
December 6, 2010 at 4:47 PM ET by Ari Alexander

Moving forward on Benefit Access Recommendations from Advisory Council

Joshua DuBois highlights some recent progress toward implementing specific recommendations from the President’s Advisory Council.
December 6, 2010 at 1:18 PM ET by Joshua DuBois

Packed House for “Uncommon” Leadership Event in Indiana

Correctional officers, prisoner administrators and over 300 inmates participated in a responsible fatherhood event that included a wide variety of speakers, including Indiana Department of Corrections Commissioner Ed Buss and former Indianapolis Colts and Super Bowl Winner,Tony Dungy. All Pro Dads, an organization that features NFL players, coaches and alumni who speak out about the importance of fatherhood, and volunteer chaplains will assist the inmates to serve as peer leaders at the prison and with their re-entry plans.
December 3, 2010 at 12:52 PM ET by Eugene Schneeberg

USDA Works to Fight Hunger and Revitalize Rural Communities in the Midwest

USDA met with non-profit organizations in November last month to discuss efforts to fight hunger and revitalize rural communities. As a result, a conference call will be held on December 8th at 2pm on rural development and USDA will present at future regional conferences.
December 2, 2010 at 5:20 PM ET by Max Finberg

Engaging Every Sector in World AIDS Day

Alexia Kelley highlights one community's efforts to recognize World AIDS Day and shares steps you can take to participate as well.
December 2, 2010 at 11:51 AM ET by Alexia Kelley

First Lady launches "Let’s Move: Faith and Communities"

Joshua DuBois highlights challenges and resources discussed at the launch of Let’s Move "Faith and Communities" with First Lady Michelle Obama.
December 1, 2010 at 12:03 PM ET by Joshua DuBois

Faith and Community Leaders and members: Join the First Lady to launch Let’s Move Faith and Communities!

Alexia Kelley and Max Finberg, Directors of HHS and USDA Partnerships Centers, announce an upcoming conference call marking the launch of a unique focus within Let’s Move!
November 25, 2010 at 11:06 AM ET by Max Finberg, Alexia Kelley

Faith and Development Leaders Meet at The White House

Mara Vanderslice, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, describes a recent meeting with religious leaders involved in development efforts around the world.
November 24, 2010 at 1:45 PM ET by Mara Vanderslice

Secretary Sebelius Celebrates National Adoption Day

Alexia Kelley (Director of the HHS Partnerships Center) and Michael Wear (Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships) discuss Secretary Sebelius' recent event celebrating National Adoption Day, and the Administration's strong support for adoption.
November 19, 2010 at 3:59 PM ET by Alexia Kelley and Michael Wear

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson Delivers Keynote at the National Council of Churches' Centennial Gathering

Mara Vanderslice, Deputy Director of The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, describes EPA Administrator Jackson's recent keynote address at the National Council of Churches Centennial Gathering in New Orleans.
November 19, 2010 at 1:12 PM ET by Mara Vanderslice