Northwest Indiana Discussion

Religion/Social Justice and Equality


The Interfaith Federation is taking it's place in community politics. They have had several victories what are your views regarding these matters.

There are also other issues related to Religon that can be discussed here feel free to discuss whatever parishoners or congreations main concerns are regarding social justice and equality.



Interfaith Federation

504 Broadway, Suite 1025 - Gary, Indiana 46402

(219) 886-3647 - Fax: (219) 886-3664 - E-mail: Fednwi@aol.com



Interfaith Federation Major Victories-1994 to Present



1994

Federation wins two year battle to keep construction of a proposed $50 million new federal courthouse in downtown Hammond. The new courthouse finally opened in 2002 and the press reported that the final cost was $65.9 million.



1996

Federation wins a battle to keep a proposed county landfill out of the City of Gary and locate it instead in a rural area.



1997

Federation conducts “Operation Holy Ground” a highly successful campaign that in conjunction with the US Attorney and County Sheriff closes drug houses in the urban areas in Northwest Indiana and reclaims the land as Holy Ground. The campaign receives national attention including coverage by the BBC and the New York Times.



1998

Federation begins public education efforts on a regional analysis and the effects of sprawl and is awarded the Environmental Organization of the Year Award by the Hoosier Environmental Council.



1999

Federation holds the first of its kind in the nation “Citizens Certification Hearing” regarding the federal certification of a metropolitan planning organization. Organizations across the country have since held their own hearings based upon this model. This Federation campaign won: a relocation of a proposed light rail line to serve existing communities, an amendment to the region’s 20 year transportation plan to include an environmental justice strategy and incorporation into that plan of a transit needs analysis that will create over $2 million yearly increases in existing bus service in the region.



2000

One member congregation won a new $2 million community center in the Hessville neighborhood of the City of Hammond. Construction is underway and the center is scheduled to open December 2002.



2001

Federation wins a five-year campaign to create a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) in Northwest Indiana. The RTA will coordinate existing bus service, increase that service and extend light rail service to existing communities. The organization receives the Best Strategic Campaign in the network award as a result of this victory.



Federation delegates at NLA with Organization of the Year Award

The 33 people from Interfaith Federation congregations who traveled to Milwaukee from Northwest Indiana for the Gamaliel Foundation's annual National Leadership Assembly all returned wearing lapel pins that read “Gamaliel Foundation Organization of the Year 2003.”

The Gamaliel Foundation is an international faith- based network with 55 affiliate organizations in 19 states in this country and four provinces in South Africa. Each year in early December, the key leadership from all of the affiliates assembles to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and make plans for the coming year.

Only one affiliate is recognized as the organization of the year. The Federation received the award on Friday December 5th at the annual banquet. The award was given for the Federation’s cumulative work since its creation in 1996.

http://www.interfaithfederation.org/nla.htm


What ar your Views?