powerful

Faith

Florida

inclusion

justice

social

network

nonpartisan

congregation

community

organizations

racial

economic

poverty

families

religion

denominations

traditions

voice

prophetic

restoration

immigration

healthcare

unity

engage

The mission of Faith in Florida is to build a powerful, multicultural, nonpartisan network of congregation community organizations in Florida that will address systemic racial and economic issues that cause poverty for our families. With multiple different religious denominations and faith traditions represented, Faith in Florida seeks to provide a prophetic, interfaith voice on civil rights restoration, immigration, and healthcare expansion.

We believe that our faith calls us to unite our communities to speak with one voice, and constructively engage decision makers and institutions to address long standing issues putting social pressure on families.

Faith in Florida provides leadership and training to congregations, to learn the faith-based organization model of Faith in Action. We provide ongoing consultation to local organizations in leadership development, community outreach, team building, organizer training, campaign strategy, nonpartisan voter engagement, and public action. In addition, Faith in Florida builds partnerships with other organizations to create a broader community impact and a better Florida for all.

We are part of Faith in Action, with more than 1,000 member institutions representing 1 million families in 150 cities and 17 states.

Mission

Values

Faith in Florida believes in the potential for transformation - of people, institutions, and of our larger culture - and the power of people of faith to lead this transformation.

Faith in Florida believes that people should have a say in the decisions that shape their lives. We trust democracy - the original principle of the American Revolution - and that organized and vigilant citizens are the best defense against special interests.

Faith in Florida believes that ordinary people know best what their families and communities need. For this reason, those are the voices that need to be at the center of political life. One of our basic principles is "never do for others what they can do for themselves." Ordinary people, given the proper training, motivation, and support can take extraordinary steps to improve the quality of life for their communities.

Organizing Model

Faith in Florida federations are different from many organizations that provide charity services to meet community needs. We develop leaders in working-class neighborhoods to speak for themselves and solve their own problems.

Our model includes the following activities:

We conduct personal interviews with hundreds of community residents to build relationships, hear concerns, and identify priority issues.

Leaders meet with public officials, key decision-makers, and diverse stakeholders to learn about the issues and brainstorm possible solutions.

Leaders organize large public meetings that bring community residents, officials, and others together to make solutions public.

Leaders evaluate their work and reflect on how their faith has grown, giving people the spiritual fuel to start the next listening campaign.