KIN of Faith

Communities of faith — churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and more — are the cornerstones of our communities. When times are most difficult and other institutions are not willing to do what is right, faith communities stand in the gap. Made up of people across faith traditions willing to fight and work in solidarity with communities and residents hit hardest by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, KIN of Faith is once again standing in the gap. We are saying, “No more,” to the years of public neglect and private profiteering, preventing just recovery in the Gulf.

KIN of Faith realize that unless we come together by the thousands to stand with our brothers and sisters in the Gulf, corporate profiteering will continue and recovery justice for the poor will remain a dream. Through e-advocacy, grassroots pressure, local actions, resolutions and selective buying, we can build greater pressure for what’s right.

We have a new public service announcement.

Become a KIN of Faith

Register your congregation as a KIN of Faith
Establish a Katrina Just Recovery study group in your place of worship
Establish a mission trip: The Louisiana Conference of the UMC Disaster Response, Inc. (LCUMCDR) was established in 2005 following the Hurricanes of Katrina and Rita. Their primary mission is to repair and rebuild homes for homeowners who were uninsured or underinsured at the times of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This task is accomplished with the help of volunteers from all over the world. To date, over 56,000 volunteers have provided the equivalent of more than $46,000,000 in free labor. Join volunteers from many walks of faith, not just United Methodist in the commitment to a full and just recovery. Consider helping others by clicking on “I Want to Help” at www.laumcstormrelief.com or for more information contact Rev. Dayries at ydayries@ladrm.org.
Help Sponsor a Mental Health Worker: Recognizing that mental health providers and counselors in the Gulf Coast are overworked and overwhelmed, leaders at Middle Collegiate Church (RCA) in New York City have decided to extend a helping hand. They are bringing together mental health workers, pastors, and other leaders of faith organizations from the Gulf Coast region with their counterparts in the New York City area for a weekend retreat of sharing resources, learning from one another, and giving those from the Gulf Coast additional skills in helping people live through and beyond crises. For information regarding sponsorship contact Rev. Osagyefo Sekou revsekou@gmail.com or Dr. Phyllis Harrison-Ross phrmd@yahoo.com.
You can also contact All Healers Mental Health Alliance at www.ahmha.org
Share what your faith community is doing to demand a just recovery.
Organize and Lead a solidarity prayer breakfast in your community on the anniversary of Katrina
Organize and Lead a solidarity prayer breakfast in your community on the anniversary of Katrina
Develop 29 sacred acts of remembrance ( i.e., prayer breakfast on the 29th day, moment of silence on the 29th day, light a candle on the 29th day…)
Establish a Katrina Truth and Reconciliation Commission in your church
Establish a Katrina Just Recovery study group in your place of worship

To find out more about the role of African American churches in crisis response activity check out Understanding the Role of African American Churches and Clergy in Community Crisis by Karyn Trader-Leigh at www.jointcenter.org.