KEEPING THE POWER ON Cindy Riely, Dir., Consume Assistance, MD Office of People’s Counsel (OPC)

PROPOSED AFFORDABLE ENERGY PROGRAM – This program, already in 26 states, bases low-income individuals’ energy cost on a small portion of their income. That’s a real game changer for those individuals and all of us who provides utility turnoff assistance. Think about other ways we can use those aid funds! OPC must quickly inform interested parties about the program and report our feedback to the Public Service Commission to give the program a chance of passing in Maryland. IT IS CRITICAL THAT AS MANY FAITH & SERVICE GROUPS AS POSSIBLE PARTICI-PATE IN THIS URGENT DISCUSSION.

EXPERT TIPS TO KEEP LIGHTS ON IN THE MEANTIME – Ms. Riely is an attorney/advocate who guides residential utility users in surviving high energy bills – and getting the power turned back on when it has been cut off. Learn how to help your parishioners and community keep their power (and sometimes their housing).

FUTURE OF THE INTERFAITH COALITION FOR COMPASSION – ICFO members

ICFO members will provide critical updates about the future of this longstanding interfaith nonprofit’s program to assist county residents in crisis (imminent evictions, utility turnoffs, or the need of food or medicine). This discussion may help determine whether the Coalition’s invaluable work continues, ends, or expands beyond its current reach.

We need to pack the house for these crucial discussions. Please RSVP now for yourself and other members of your organization – and spread the word to other faith and service groups.

HISTORY OF OUR BROTHERS' & SISTERS' KEEPERS

IN THE BEGINNING...

While Howard County faith groups have always opened their doors, hearts and discretionary funds to their neighbors in times of need, the spiraling economic downturn of the last few years has put tremendous pressure on both those in crisis and those striving to help them.

Vulnerable residents in crisis face higher bills and must seek aid from more and more sources, despite transportation and time constraints. It’s a demeaning process.

Faith groups struggle with a tsunami of financial aid requests, dwindling funds, limited staff resources, plus daunting intake responsibilities. Not to mention the soul-searing chore of distinguishing legitimate needs from aid abuse.

The result is a tremendous frustration for all involved.  Many of us feel overwhelmed and solutions seem few and far between.

The first Our Brothers’ Keepers meeting, held on October 20, 2010, was advertised as: “A Gathering of Howard County Faith Groups to Brainstorm How We can Work Together to Better Aid Our Neighbors in Need (Without Killing Our Staffs or Budgets!) It was co-hosted by Bethany United Methodist Church and Christ Church Link of Christ Episcopal Church.

Thirty-four faith groups and a half dozen county human service agencies and non-profits, some sixty participants, gathered to do just that. It was an invigorating meeting of sharing resources, concerns, suggestions and hopes.

In short, a critical dialogue was started.

While there was great value gained simply by the resources and conversation shared that day, far more still needed to be done. Sixteen participants generously volunteered to participate in an action team to turn the group’s input into strategies and recommendations to help faith groups better ease the burdens of the needy, as well as of their staffs, budgets and hearts. No easy task.

1. Want to step up their outreach efforts

1. Feel ill equipped to both adequately maintain an assistance program and serve their pastoral duties

1. Need more help, more resources to do more effective outreach

1. Want an alternative to “throwing money at an endless problem”

This report includes the OBK team’s recommended strategies and options as a first step toward doing a better job for our aid applicants, our staffs and ourselves. It is being presented at the second Our Brothers’ Keepers faith group gathering on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.

This report and this gathering was a second step in our path toward doing the best we can at being our sisters’ and brothers’ keepers.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL & UPDATED OBSK RECOMMENDATIONS

ISSUES ADDRESSED BY OBSK (to date 5/2014)

Overarching Theme:   Faith Groups Working Together

to Meet Crisis Needs in Howard County

~ ~ ~

Affordable Energy Program Proposal

Future of Interfaith Coalition for Compassion

Homelessness:  Plan to End Homelessness, Coordinated System of Homeless Services, Cold Weather Shelter, Route 1 Day Center, Faith Group Programs, Bridges to Housing Stability, Mental Health Housing

Keeping Our Staffs & Clergy Safe, Safe Practices

(Grassroots / Mobile Crisis Team)

Dealing with Mental Health Issues (NAMI)

Human Trafficking (HC AGAST, Safe House of Hope)

Affordable Care Actl

Assuring Supportive Services for Seriously Ill

Hunger (Food Bank satellites at churches)

Budgeting Education for Low-Income

Pastoral Crisis Counseling

Plus, every session includes:  Need Trends - Service Updates