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Call to Action

INTERDENOMINATIONAL MINISTERIAL COALITION

Rev. Dr. Frank M. Smith, Jr., President

“President’s Call to Action in partnership with

CSI: WEST LOUISVILLE (Coalition to Stop Ignoring West Louisville)”

Thursday, March 14, 2013 – 8:00 a.m.

Simmons College of Kentucky

1018 South Seventh Street

Louisville, KY 40203

High profile attention has been given to the disparate economic, education, employment conditions in Louisville’s West End. The Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition holds forth 4 pillars of purpose as follows:

  1. Educational Advancement,

  2. Economic Development,

  3. Social Justice and

  4. Kingdom Building.

To this end, we believe it to be essential that the IMC weigh in on proactive solutions that uplift citizens who will in turn transform communities.

Dan Crutcher, publisher of Louisville Magazine has categorically exposed in the March 2013 edition the results of years of Louisville’s segregated neighborhoods and communities as it relates to income, home values, unemployment, education, family dilapidation, health disparities, etc.

The IMC therefore makes these initial “4-PILLARS” Action declarations:

  1. EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT: “From Special K to 15K” – (Kindergarten to College)

  1. Churches develop comprehensive unified Sunday School/Christian Education programming that weaves academic excellence into the framework of its weekly faith curriculum inclusive of writing skills, critical thinking skills, logic, math, science, history, etc.

  2. Out-of-School time reading and writing enhancement programs through tutorial assistance or computer based self-tutorial programs (JCPS Learning Places). These programs need to occur after school during the school year and during the summer.

  3. Each church participates in the IMC’s August City Wide Back to School Event. Families will bring children to receive blessings from area Pastors, receive School Supplies.

  4. Promote 15K Initiative and participate in the IMC 15K Faith Action Team developing approaches to the Faith Action Team Strategic Plan

  5. Actively recruit and enroll High School Graduates and Adult Learners in Simmons College of Kentucky General Studies academic program.

  1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: “From Job Scarecrow to Job Success”

  1. Employment preparation initiatives in partnership with Project One, Inc. to address job readiness skills, work maturity skills, dress for success, grooming, public speaking, interview skills, etc. with a certificate of completion awarded. Promote “Hire 1,000” Initiative of Project One, Inc. to promote employers access to West Louisville residents for potential job relationship building and hiring opportunities.

  2. Partner with Barbers and Beauticians committed to providing “Interview-ready” grooming styles and advice for upkeep.

  3. IMC churches in partnership with the Minority Business Council host roving workshops in the Parkland, Shawnee, Russell, California, Shively, Smoketown, Newburg communities dealing with Entrepreneurial Readiness Training Seminars to help African-Americans receiving networking opportunities, business ethics, credit counseling, industry awareness information to guide formation of business dreams, plans and objectives.

  4. IMC churches form partnership with Metro Bank and/or other banks to develop strategies for property acquisition for transitional housing, renovation and beautification projects, and home ownership throughout West Louisville. Also develop comprehensive “from poor to more” resource counseling for families who are interested in developing savings and investments for education, personal wealth-building, and legacy planning.

  1. SOCIAL JUSTICE: “Turning wrongs into rights”

  1. IMC partnership with Justice Resource Center to review, monitor, and address matters of disparities in health, housing, justice, race, employment, etc. throughout the African American community.

  2. Address and advocate for 2nd chance initiatives for ex-offenders who re-enter the community to reduce recidivism.

  3. Promote Restorative Justice Initiatives in the school system, community, juvenile justice, etc. through partnership with participating churches.

  4. Demand restoration of voter’s rights for ex-offenders who have served their time in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

  1. KINGDOM BUILDING: “Promoting unity among the Faith Community”

  1. Establish cooperative relationships and ministries between Urban and Suburban churches wherein East Louisville suburban churches (i.e. Northeast Christian, Southeast Christian, Highview Baptist, Evangel Christian Life Center, St. Matthews Baptist, Bethel-St. Paul Evangelical, etc.) of various denominations to share spiritual, human and capital resources with West Louisville urban churches for evangelism, community transformation, community, economic, employment, educational and social development.

  2. Initiate “Wonders in the West” initiative where the goal of pool of 1,000 volunteers/missionaries will serve as resource to assist poor families who need help with special projects to remove blight throughout the community.

  3. Train and Ordain and equip Street Ministry workers who will commit to a life of witness throughout the community to guide individuals and families to holistic resources for mental, spiritual, physical, and other needs.

  4. Enlist employers in the totality of the faith community to become part of a FaithWorks Workforce Development initiative to utilize their corporations and businesses to Hire and mentor challenged West-Louisville residents.

With these 4-Pillar approaches, the IMC intends to make a marked impact on the issues of West Louisville thus propping up the leaning elements of West Louisville once again to be on equal par with East Louisville to the glory of God.