“Promote the welfare of the city and pray for it — for upon its welfare depends your own.” (Jeremiah 29:7),
Valley Interfaith Project (VIP) is a broad based, non-partisan organization of congregations, schools, unions and non-profits committed to building relational power through organizing people for sustainable social and economic improvement.
This is done through institution-based leadership development; the building of relationships within and between institutions; the identification of and research on issues of mutual self-interest; and disciplined, organized action. Through this organizing strategy, VIP develops a constituency of leaders to become citizens in the fullest sense: participants in democratic decision-making and agents of the creation of a more just society through the exercise of relational power. Valley Interfaith Project is affiliated with the Industrial Areas (IAF), the oldest and largest national organizing and leadership development network in the United States. For more information, CLICK HERE.
As The Fountains moves into a relationship of working with Valley Interfaith Project this next year, a number of opportunities will be offered for interested members and friends to see first-hand how VIP works and what VIP is all about.
The first is a special “Civic Academy” on education finance this Thursday at 6:30 pm, at Paradise Valley United Methodist. Education is one of VIPs focus issues, in no small part because of the impact education funding (or lack thereof) is directly affecting our local school district, our children, families, and town.
According to national data released this summer, Arizona provides less state funding per student than any state in the nation. (See more HERE) If you’re interested in finding out more about how you can be on about “Promoting the welfare of the city and praying for it — for upon its welfare depends your own.” (Jeremiah 29:7), join us this Thursday at PVUMC!