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1. Give credit where credit is due
One way to boost the local economy is to make deposits in a local credit union. If you have the choice in your area, seek out one that designates itself as a community development credit union. According to the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (www.natfed.org), these organizations have “a special mission of serving low- and moderateincome people and communities.” Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) have a similar focus.
2. Put your money where your neighborhood is
Are you seeing more “for sale” signs in your neighborhood than in the past? If buildings nearby are on the market, parishes don’t have to watch them sit empty. Organizations like the Episcopal City Mission in Boston help local churches identify and buy properties, alone or in partnership with others, to expand their church’s parish facilities or create low-income housing.
3. Help out the next generation
The success of public schools and students directly affects a community. Look atsupporting a nearby public school as a civic, rather than religious, responsibility. Talk to principals to see where they need help— perhaps with supplementing arts curriculum, running after-school programs, or tutoring students for standardized tests. A parish in Nyack, New York, has successfully implemented a circus-arts program with its local school that gets kids exercising, moving, and learning about themselves and one another.
4. Share the peace
How well does your church know the neighboring congregations, whatever their denomination? Now is as good a time as any to seek out faith communities in your backyard that have a particular need or may be able to offer you some help. Start a dialogue and find out what each has to offer, and look for opportunities to share in the costs, talents, or logistics of a particular program for your church or community. Just like two heads, two congregations (or more) are better than one.
5. Make connections
Sometimes jobs and enthusiastic workers just need to meet. One minister in the Bronx helps out-of-work community members find jobs by calling local businesses that staff up during busy seasons, asking if they need help, and providing that information to job-seekers. Companies often appreciate referrals from established community organizations like churches. Also consider hosting a job fair for local businesses, employment agencies, and unemployed workers.
6. Open your doors, donate your space
If your parish has space that isn’t used on weekdays or evenings, donate it to a local group for job training, support workshops, or tutoring. Many of these organizations have a demand for services but lack the space to offer them. And with budget cuts, they may be running on low or no budgets. Search www.volunteermatch.org to find organizations in your area, and contact them to find out if they need space.
Max Maddock is senior copywriter for Trinity Wall Street.
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