May News!
Dear friends of Invested Faith,
Pastor Amy and Rev. Kevin Wright
The work keeps on offering itself to us and because of so many of you, Invested Faith is responding with tangible support for amazing people doing the work of justice and healing in the world. What an inspiring way to live out our faith in a moment when so much about institutional religion is suspect. Join me in celebrating our 11th class of Invested Faith Fellows, and congratulating one of our 2024 Fellows whose work was featured in a multi-award winning film. This good news is a constant reminder that God is not finished with us yet: there is always hope, always possibility, always a new day about to break.
My travels have taken me this month to the Festival of Homiletics in Pittsburgh, where many church leaders heard the story of Invested Faith. And, I recently had the opportunity to visit in person with IF board chair, Rev. Kevin Wright. Everywhere I turn I meet people living with anticipation about where and how our task of healing the world will emerge.
I’m so pleased to share all of this news with you, and I’d love to talk about how you can as we welcome God’s good future together!
With God’s Peace,
Meet our 11th Class of Fellows
Invested Faith welcomes our 11th class of Fellows - six amazing people who are changing their communities. We now have awarded 52 Fellowships, with Fellows working in 23 states and Washington, DC on projects addressing environmental and racial justice, mental health, domestic and sexual violence, hunger and food access, student homelessness, and so much more.
Beverly Jenkins, R&R Marketplace, Dellwood, Missouri
Refuge and Restoration (R&R) Marketplace is an equitable access community hub, developed in an abandoned strip mall in Dellwood, MO, that will offer an early childhood development center, co-working space, career development center, and other needed social service offices which will help build community and foster economic development in the area. The co-working space will offer equitable access space for Black small businesses to help them scale and build capacity.
Rayce Lamb, Faithonomics, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Faithonomics is a social impact venture that empowers faith-inspired social impact leaders to bring their bold ideas to life without sacrificing their personal or financial well-being in the process. Founded by Rev. Rayce Lamb, Faithonomics offers financial education and vocational connection to faith-inspired leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs through their Doers Creative digital platform.
Chris Lawrence, El Barrio Homes, East Harlem, New York
El Barrio Homes is an effort to create affordable housing for social service and religious workers in the neighborhoods where they work and minister in East Harlem, NY. Founded by Chris Lawrence, the program plans to provide single rooms and apartments for those workers priced out of the community.
Angela Moy and Aileen Maquiraya, LKE Dojo, Honolulu, Hawai’i
LKE Dojo is a Muay Thai martial arts dojo and training program designed to equip women with self-defense training and self-empowerment through women-only safe spaces and holistic classes for training and meditation. Founded by Angela Moy and Aileen Maquiraya, LKE Dojo seeks to disrupt the martial arts world by providing training for Queer people and women, two communities underserved and marginalized in the sector.
Torie Zeiner, With You Co., Seattle, Washington
With You Co. is a small business launched by pediatric chaplain Torie Zeiner that curates and sells “gathered gifts for life’s ungathered moments,” supporting those who are experiencing grief, loss, or life's transitions, including "coming out" boxes celebrating the announcement of their identity to the world. When the right words are hard to find, Torie helps organizations, churches, and community members by delivering curated care packages sending the thoughtful, tactile and heart-warming message of "I'm with you."
Film Wins Six Telly Awards
Join us in congratulating Invested Faith Fellow Garry Mills for his work captured in the feature film "Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia" available on FOX SOUL & Prime Video. The awards include a Silver Telly in Social Impact, Silver Telly in Advocacy & Causes, Silver Telly in Social Issues, and a Bronze Telly in Social Responsibility. Garry’s work has changed the lives of countless children in Philadelphia and we’re proud to call him an Invested Faith Fellow! Read more and watch a clip of the film to hear the experiences of the kids in Garry’s program. Congratulations to Garry and the film team!
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