Saturday, September 30, 2006

ARISE

Today’s Albany Times Union reports on the upcoming meeting of ARISE.
More than 30 religious and community organizations will meet Tuesday night at Christ the King Church to discuss what ARISE calls its "21st Century Futures Campaign."

ARISE, which stands for A Regional Initiative Supporting Empowerment, is a faith-based community organization that aims to shape new policies, rather than provide services under the status quo.

"We work to change systemic problems of the poor and unemployed and those in need of help," said President Dick Dana, who is a geologist for the state Department of Environmental Conservation and a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany.

"We live in a culture that actively discourages the democratic process," said Dana, but ARISE wants to tap the latent power of people in congregations who might be hesitant about getting involved.

You can learn more here. Albany Catholic encourages all religious congregations to get involved in this process.