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Archive of "Cause" Category
Real Relief for Haiti
My heart breaks for Haiti. Sadly, many do not know about the ongoing problems of Haiti.
It is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere, with around 80 percent of the population living under the poverty line and 54 percent living in abject poverty, according to the CIA World Factbook. More than two-thirds of the labor force are believed to not have formal jobs, and just 62.1 percent of adults over age 15 are literate, according to the United Nations Human Development Report.
Haiti also has among the world’s lowest levels of gross domestic product per capita. [via New York Times]Historically, Haiti has been taken advantaged of for years and forced to pay for their freedom with high interest loans from a host of countries that include the United States. It’s time to bring real relief to Haiti.
Does it have to take destruction and loss of countless lives for us to be aware of injustice? We may not have control over natural disasters but we can certainly do something about poverty and injustice. We can right some of the wrongs. We can bring real relief to Haiti.
Congress is still considering The Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation. This bill would help countries like Haiti get their debt canceled, without making that cancellation conditional on things like closing down free schools or raising the cost of fresh water. This may be a good time to contact your representatives about about this bi-partisan measure.
If you’re praying, great. Then put your money where your prayers are too. Let me also add that it’s easy to throw money at causes. It’s distant love. We are called to do much more. This is a time for the church to shine and respond with the love of Christ.If you’re praying, great. Then put your money where your prayers are too. Let me also add that it’s easy to throw money at causes. It’s distant love. We are called to do much more and we actually can if we open our eyes and hearts.
Haiti Earthquake Relief: How You Can Help
The Huffington Post has a growing roundup of ways to help
You can also text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross
One Day’s Wages has set up a relief fund
More Links
For all things Haiti: (haiti.alltop.com)
Haiti’s Economy (NYT)
Haiti Earthquake Relief: 9 Ways to Help Now (Mashable)Interview w MissionYear
My interview with Leroy Barber and Jeff Shinabarger for MissionYear. I recently conspired with the two to bring a Gift Card Party to Philadelphia highlighting some orgs doing good stuff in West Philly. Love what these guys are all about and what they’re doing. I’m hoping to bring MissionYear to Chinatown one day soon.
The Link Between Terrorism and Extreme Poverty
Also check out my friends at NURU International
Here’s their new promo video released on Veteran’s Day.Is there link between terrorism and extreme poverty?
Here’s Nuru International’s Jake Harriman telling it like it is.
Euna Lee & Laura Ling: Glamour Women of the Year?
Euna Lee, left, and Laura Ling, photographed by Brigitte Lacombe in West Hollywood, California
Glamour Magazine honors a number of interesting women this year in various categories. Rihanna? Serena Williams? Amidst the high-profile public personas are Euna Lee and Laura Ling, the journalists held captive in North Korea and sentenced for 12 years of hard labor. This incident sparked prayer vigils across the country. It’s interesting to read the range of comments on the Glamour site on whether these two deserve this recognition or not. Reporters take risks and Lee/Ling made their mark. Regardless of whether their methods were right or not they’ve helped raise more awareness for what’s going on in North Korea and human trafficking. C’mon. It’s Glamour Magazine…
Euna Lee and Laura Ling also support LiNK, which provides resources to North Korean defectors and raises awareness about the humanitarian crisis in that part of the world.Don’t forget about Sarah, Josh and Shane (the 3 Hikers in an Iranian prison. Go to the website and sign the petition (www.freethehikers.org).
Everyday Giving
NY Times article on the everyday giver. Namely, YOU.
It’s easier than ever for you to make a difference.Nice to see Eugene Cho and One Day’s Wages featured here.
One Days Wages Official Launch
I really love Eugene Cho, as a person, blogger, pastor, and particularly his passion to end to extreme poverty. He is the real deal. Passion is when you and your wife decide to give your entire annual salary to start One Day’s Wages which officially launched on Tuesday to end extreme poverty.
There are approximately 1.4 billion people living in extreme global poverty (those who live on less than US$1.25/day). By donating your one days’ wages = approximately 0.4% of your annual salary you can join the work.
Check out the new website and start giving.Foxwoods Defeat. Good News For Chinatown.
Interesting things always happen in my absence. I should go away more.Last Friday, good news came to Chinatown and all those who have been opposing the plans for slots casinos in Center City as Foxwoods pulled their plans for pursuing the 8th and Market St site (Formerly the Strawbridge & Clothier building). Foxwoods is revisiting their original site plans in South Philly and will likely be confronted by angry protests there as well. However, this time protests are a city wide effort and the Chinatown community will continue to add their voice to making Philadelphia casino free.
For now we can claim a major victory for Chinatown. I’d like to see Casinos entirely out of Philadelphia no matter how desperate we are to fix the doomsday budget outlook here.
Links
Looks Like it’s Back to South Philly for Foxwoods Casino, [Philly.com]
Beating the House, Helen Gym [Metro]
DiCicco: Foxwoods Ruling “Damages Philadelphia’s Fabric”
Mayor Nutter: Foxwoods Ruling “A Step Backwards”Twitter Updates from Casino Free Philly
My Posts on “Saying No to Casinos in Chinatown”
[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7] [Part 8]En Route to The Idea Camp!
The first pic of The Idea Camp: Justice Edition in DC is up via @charlestlee.
The phenomenon starts tomorrow at 10:30am!What for?
To answer the question as mastermind, Charles Lee would put it, “How Can We Be Better Expressions of God’s Love to the World?”What I love about this movement is its celebration of the new rules or values such as:
• Freemium! Free allows access for anyone to be part of this and participate as they’d like. Free does not mean cheap or lack of quality. There are many people contributing their time, talents, gifts, resources, which leads to…
• Collaboration. What if we all pulled our resources together for a common cause?
• Innovation. With so many ideas and imaginations burning what could arise?
• Moving away from celebrity and stage to you the participant. Much more happens in the mealtimes and hallway conversations.What else can help unleash your gospel imagination?
Check out the amazing list of workshops focused on Justice and Compassion this weekend.
If you still want to go to The Idea Camp, it’s not too late. Just make a profile on the site and show up in DC. Other alternatives include joining or hosting a watch party where you can interact with the LIVE FEED of the sessions.
You can also follow the entire event through Twitter with hashtags #theideacamp or #ICDC
Open Invitation to The Idea Camp: Justice Edition
Earlier this year I had the wonderful opportunity of participating in The Idea Camp, a free hybrid conference for idea makers. Well it’s coming to the East Coast in the nation’s capital at the end of next month focusing on Justice & Compassion. I’m super stoked.
The Idea Camp: Justice Edition in Washington DC, August 28-29
Also, join me on Monday, July 20 at the Pre-Event Meetup for a night of networking starting at 7pm
Here’s the InviteSome of the partnering organizations include International Justice Mission, Sojourners, The ONE Campaign, Charity Water, and Leadership Network amongst many others. Join the conversation and make something happen.
What would happen if we all pulled our resources together?
Let your gospel imaginations run wild.Saying No To Casinos in Chinatown Part 8
Some highlights from the No Casino in the Heart of the City Coalition press conferenceIt is amazing how many Chinese churches/orgs have joined this coalition. They may not be at the forefront speaking but they can certainly get things done and mobilize Chinese in the Philadelphia and surrounding regions just as we have seen them do in their collection of over 24k petitions. This has really become a diverse citywide effort that I’m proud to be a part of.
The real star in this coalition is activist Helen Gym. She really adds the passion to this movement like no other. Her list of accomplishments and accolades are too long to mention. One statement that really stood out was when she urged officials to say no to shameful “unfair predatory gain in this time of greatest economic need.” I think that cuts to the heart of the issue. Hasn’t the city learned from the existing economic crisis with regard to unfair predatory practices?
It’s also a pleasure to see the active participation of Luella Trip, wife of Dr. Paul Tripp of Tenth Presbyterian Church. They moved into the Chinatown area a few years ago and since have solidly expressed their heart for the area and convictions to minister to the people of Center City. That’s a rare find. We need more people like them.
News Links
“Churches Join Anti-Casino Protest” – The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 19, 2009Next Up:
Philadelphia City Planning Commission Community Meeting on Preliminary Findings for the Market East Strategic Plan
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 7 pmJefferson University
Dorrance Hamilton Auditorium
1001 Locust Street
For more information contact Laura Spina 215.683.4638
Events
"HERO" An EPIC MOVEMENT EAST COAST Conference January 15-18, 2010, Philadelphia
Verge Missional Community Conference,
February 4-6, Austin, Texas
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