Community Action Partnership of Orange County’s Post

👷🏼 Empower Your Volunteers with Gracely! With Gracely, you can: ✅ Assign volunteers to lead and manage various groups, including worship teams, ushers, media teams, and Sunday school. ✅ Effortlessly manage group schedules, ensuring everyone knows when and where they are needed. ✅ Avoid double-serving and scheduling conflicts, so your volunteers can serve with confidence and clarity. 🙏 Empower your team and streamline your operations with Gracely's Volunteer Scheduling. Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on what matters most – fostering a thriving, engaged church community. 👉 Read More: https://lnkd.in/e39MMFi6 #ChurchManagement #VolunteerScheduling #Gracely #ChurchVolunteers #CommunityLeadership #FaithInAction

👏 In a recent podcast, we talked to Jared Wallace, Assistant Chief of Police at City of Waco, TX about the positive changes observed by patrol officers and detectives since participating in Faith & Blue events. Assistant Chief Wallace noted, "With our Faith & Blue event activities, we saw leadership across the city getting involved, making community engagement a more accepted practice at Waco PD. Officers began volunteering for these events on their own, not because they were assigned, but because they wanted to connect with the community." He added, "One of the most memorable moments was seeing patrol officers and detectives, who had never engaged before, sitting down at a barbecue hosted by a local church, sharing stories, and playing with the kids. It showed that breaking bread together can truly break down barriers." 🤝These insights underscore the power of community engagement in fostering positive cultural changes within the department. While these changes take time, the progress achieved is immensely rewarding. The bonds formed during these events have lasting impacts, reinforcing that connecting with faith communities enriches policing culture. For those aiming to enhance their community engagement strategies, the Law Enforcement Community Engagement Network (LECEN) offers invaluable resources. LECEN provides best practices, peer support, industry expertise, and current research for both sworn and non-sworn personnel in community engagement roles across the nation. Join us in transforming community engagement! Discover valuable resources at Law Enforcement Community Engagement Network (LECEN) to elevate your strategies. Visit https://lnkd.in/edzN4B4a to make a difference today. #lawenforcementculture #lecen #lawenforcementleadership #positiveculture

I loathe the term "voluntolds" - the disparaging remark for people doing community service to fulfill a court order or school requirement. They re often treated as "lesser" #volunteers. They should NOT be. My latest blog:

Earlier this year, our partners at ZERO TO THREE and the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, Inc. held a five-session learning community for kinship service providers. The community explored outreach strategies for connecting with and serving kinship families. This toolkit shares the learnings and tips from that peer community. https://lnkd.in/eUNgyu2D #KinshipCare, #Grandfamilies

Excerpt: “In a city like Evanston, racism comes with a smile and a nod, masked behind progressive facades. But scratch the surface, and you'll find a small group pulling strings, dictating who falls in line and who faces consequences for questioning the status quo. My journey in advocating for direct cash payments as reparations has revealed uncomfortable truths about power dynamics and the lengths some will go to maintain control. Join me in uncovering the complexities of our city and why community engagement is more crucial than ever.” Excerpt: "I recall a particularly revealing encounter over coffee, where a Caucasian individual chastised me for challenging the status quo on reparations. She invited me to coffee under the guise of a different topic and then she blindsided me! This person, like many others, couldn't fathom why I refused to accept crumbs when my community deserved more than a housing program. She felt I was wrong to push for direct cash payments to be added as an option. She said, “You should just accept whatever you get.” Does anyone know how that felt for me, sitting across the table from THAT? A Caucasian person chastised me that my people should just take whatever they get for their reparations in Evanston. This woman is close friends with a few Black leaders in Evanston and she runs in that 1% of wealth crowd that, many believe, controls our local government. She wasn’t the first to come at me with this scolding. There have been several. They said if it’s good enough for their Black friends who are in leadership then it should be good enough for the rest of Black Evanston. These women didn’t see these conversations as hurtful, racist, and devaluing because these Black leaders are their close friends, so they have been made to feel safe to say and think these things. That’s Evanston racism. It's not people wearing white sheets, burning crosses, and riding around in pick-up trucks in 2024. It comes with a smile, a coffee, and a photo op sometimes." Uncover the full story and dive deep into the heart of the matter with an exclusive post on https://lnkd.in/gWncMSWH. Discover the unfiltered truth about Evanston's reparations lawsuit, racial equity, and the battle for justice. Subscribe now to gain access to the complete article and join us in exploring the critical issues shaping our community. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are solely those of the author, Meleika Gardner, and do not necessarily reflect the views of my co-hosts, Where The People Meet TV, or any affiliated organizations. Each individual associated with our platform may have their own perspectives, and we encourage diverse opinions and discussions on important issues.

“Partnership for Growth LA is a love project — a call and response to the community that we deserve change.” CEO Pastor Edward Anderson and President Rabbi Joel Simonds share the story behind PFGLA's origins as a Community Development Corporation. Co-founded by Black and Jewish faith-based organizations to promote community wellness and economic development in South and West Los Angeles, PFGLA was created by disruptors dedicated to listening and responding to the needs of the communities they serve. Jewish Center for Justice McCarty Memorial Christian Church

✨ Civic Engagement is on the Rise! ✨ In a time when connection and community matter more than ever, a new report from AmeriCorps brings some uplifting news: civic engagement across the United States is on the rise! 🙌 From volunteering at local nonprofits to organizing community events, people are stepping up to make a difference in their neighborhoods. This momentum reflects the spirit of service and solidarity that organizations like AmeriCorps foster every day. For decades, AmeriCorps has empowered individuals to address critical challenges in education, disaster response, healthcare, and more. Through their programs, volunteers not only serve but also inspire others to take action—creating a ripple effect of positive change. 🌟 Why does this matter? Civic engagement builds stronger communities, bridges divides, and reminds us that we are all part of something greater. It’s not just about doing good—it’s about shaping a future where we all thrive together. 📢 If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, joining AmeriCorps, or finding ways to support your community, now is the perfect time to start! Let’s keep this momentum going. How are YOU engaging with your community? Share your experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear about them! #AmeriCorps #CivicEngagement #CommunityService #Volunteer #MakeADifference Link to report in comments

🌱 Walking Forward with Purpose and Leadership 🌱 Beyond ExCon, Inc. ExCon is led by our inspiring Executive Director, Angellee K., whose vision and resilience drive our mission forward. Recently, Angellee graduated from the Initiate Justice Los Angeles Cohort 2024, a program dedicated to empowering system-impacted individuals to become advocates for change. Her commitment doesn’t stop there—she is also a member of Initiate Justice Action, a member-led organization focused on policy advocacy to end mass incarceration and restore the rights of impacted communities. With a background in public policy, nonprofit advocacy, and education, Angellee brings a wealth of experience and determination to Beyond ExCon. Her leadership is rooted in the belief that moving forward means letting go of what no longer serves us. As Angellee often says, “I am learning to love the sound of my feet walking away from things not meant for me.” This philosophy guides not only her own journey but also inspires those we support to walk confidently toward new opportunities and brighter futures. Under Angellee’s leadership, Beyond ExCon is more than a nonprofit—it’s a community where justice-impacted individuals are empowered to redefine what’s possible, supported by someone who understands the journey firsthand. We’re excited to continue creating change together. #BeyondExCon #Leadership #AngelleeKidd #InitiateJustice #ReentrySupport #Empowerment #JusticeReform #Resilience

🌍💼 World Kindness Day – Building a Legacy Through Kindness On World Kindness Day, we are reminded of the lasting impact of kindness on communities. In the words of John Looms, CEO of KWV, "This is a tremendous legacy to have in a community, and I think it's one they do have." 💬 Giflo’s vision extends beyond buildings; we’re here to foster spaces that bring people together, inspire compassion, and empower communities. Through every project, we strive to make a difference by putting kindness, respect, and community at the heart of what we do. Today, we encourage everyone to join us in spreading kindness. Small acts lead to bigger changes, and together, we can build a legacy that touches lives for generations to come. 🌱💙 #WorldKindnessDay #GifloImpact #CommunityLegacy #BuildingConnections #BetterTogether #KindnessInAction

Discover the Secrets to Building Stronger Communities Are you passionate about creating connections and making a lasting impact? Whether you're a seasoned social worker, nonprofit leader, or just starting out in community development, having the right tools is key. That's why we created the Empower Community Checklist – a simple, practical resource designed to help you take the first steps toward building thriving, connected communities. Learn proven strategies for success Focus on what really matters in community building Kickstart your journey with actionable insights It’s completely FREE and takes just a moment to access. Get Your Checklist Now https://bit.ly/3BaTKBj Start empowering your community today – because the world needs more changemakers like you!#CommunityBuilding #EmpowerChange #MakeAnImpact #SocialWorkTools #ThrivingCommunities #ConnectionMatters #NonprofitSuccess #LeadershipInAction #EmpowermentChecklist #ChangemakersUnite