steps coalition
TRANSCRIPT
For Communities Worth Calling Home!
www.stepscoalition.org
Find us on
DeMiller Hall
610 Water Street
Biloxi, MS 39530
“…My people, we gathered
here to speak your
names…”
www.aclu-ms.com
ACLU of Mississippi
Initiative 26 Is Defeated! Mississippi voters rejected an amendment to the
Mississippi Constitution intended to ban abortion and
to set up a legal challenge to Roe v. Wade.
The mission of the ACLU of
Mississippi is very simple: To
defend the inalienable human
rights and freedoms guaranteed
in the U.S. Constitution,
especially the Bill of Rights. We
accomplish our mission through
litigation, advocacy, public
education and community
organizing.
4th Annual Mississippi Youth Hip Hop
Summit: Turn Up The Volume! The ACLU of Mississippi's 4th Annual Hip Hop Summit
was a success! More than 600 registered for the
summit and the annual Prevention of Schoolhouse To
Jailhouse Conference. Youth participated in numerous
workshops July 9-10 at Jackson State University.
Tenth Anniversary Observance of
9-11 Terrorist Attacks Dozens of residents joined the American Civil
Liberties Union of Mississippi in observance of
the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks. The program paid respect to the lives
lost that day in 2001, but also examined the
impact post 9-11 that government policies have
had on the country's civil liberties.
Advocates For Freedom is a new non-profit association of
concerned citizens whose mission is to foster awareness
on the MS Gulf Coast of the pervasive and growing
problem of human trafficking.
The main mission of Advocates For Freedom is:
To bring awareness and education to our community
To empower the general public to recognize Human
Trafficking and what to do to combat the social issue
Advocates For Freedom has accomplished much:
Spoken in 77 different locations
Put on 4 major trainings
Helped start 2 task forces (one State Wide and
one for the five Gulf Coast states)
Aided many victims
AIDS In Action Mississippi
www.aidsactionms.org
AIDS Action In Mississippi (AAIM) was created to battle the 20+
years this epidemic has affected the people in this state, across the
country, and around the world. We have the knowledge and tools
necessary to end HIV/AIDS and improve the quality of life of the
individuals and families both infected and affected.
AAIM is a statewide grass roots organization dedicated to advocating
for the rights of all people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Utilizing the voice and experiences of persons living with and
affected by this pandemic, we are committed to ending the effects of
HIV/AIDS on Mississippi.
Asian Americans For
Change
www.aachange.org
Since the oil spill of April 2010, AAC has been working closely with
the
fishermen community to inform them with accurate information and
resources
AAC in partnership with MDES has successfully enrolled close to
200
participants with the collaboration of MGCC with training such as
HVAC, electric, and welding; approximately 100 people that
completed
their training.
In collaboration with MDES Program, Asian Americans for Change
(AAC) have reached out to more than 600 Vietnamese community
members in South MS lower 3 counties, Harrison, Jackson, and
Hancock
AAC have successfully placed two bilingual HVAC, one electrical,
and
one welding class in 2011. Two HVAC classes have graduated with
few
who acquired EPA certification
www.thebackbaymission.org
Back Bay Mission Our 2011 Accomplishments
We have completed 18 projects in our Housing Recovery program which
include minor and major rehab projects; the work was completed by
volunteers. Over a 1,000 volunteers have put in over 15,000 hours of work.
We housed 18 chronically homeless individuals with a diagnosed disability in
our 14 units through Home At Last program which is a permanent supportive
housing program through HUD.
We have provided assistance to over 4500 individuals in our Emergency
Assistance program, which includes utility relief; help with purchasing
prescription meds, obtaining I.D.’s, birth certificates and food from the
pantry.
We also have provided services to over 1000 homeless individuals through our
Day Center; they were able to take showers, do their laundry, use the center
as their permanent mailing address and utilize the computer for resume’
building and job searches.
Our 2012 Project
The building of a duplex for homeless veterans through our Affordable
Housing Initiative program. The funding will be provided through a HUD
supportive housing grant.
A faith-based community
development and service agency
located in Biloxi, MS, that has served the
poorest of the poor since 1922.
www.bpsos.org
“With these accomplishments under our belt, we are moving forward in our fourth decade of operation…”
From the Oil Spill Relief and Advocacy Campaign Report
Numbers At Quick Glance:
30 = # of workshops, seminars, meetings - 18 town hall
meetings, 12 workshops, seminars and claims assistance clinics
in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
45 - # of volunteer professionals mobilized from around the
country - BPSOS attorneys and legal staff, community
interpreters, citizen journalists, volunteer attorneys, CPAs and
tax professionals
550 = # of individuals directly assisted or served
10,000+ = Many thousands more were indirectly assisted via
educational radio programs and small media.
100,000+ = Pounds of food delivered to residents in need
through food bank joint operation
Center For Environmental
& Economic Justice, Inc.
www.envirojustice.com
CEEJ’s objectives include organizing grass root community people and
other community-based organizations to affect public policy on socio-
economic development issues and environmental justice (EJ) concerns
that are germane to people of color and other ethnicities impacted by
injustices.
CEEJ is working to eliminate environmental health hazards and promote
economic sustainability through community education, hazard control
training, and by engaging in social justice issues that affect Afro-
Americans and other impacted ethnicities in Mississippi.
a non-profit community based organization that was
founded in 1989, (formerly UJAMAA Community
Services, Inc.) in Biloxi, Mississippi.
www.msccd.org
The Inclusive Schools Network (ISN) is a web-based resource for families,
schools, and communities interested in the topic of inclusive education. This
network has grown out of Inclusive Schools Week ™, an internationally-
recognized, annual event sponsored by Education Development Center, Inc.
(EDC). In 2011, ISN will be expanding its capacity to offer new products,
conferences, online events, and social networking opportunities.
The Ridgeland Challenger Baseball League celebrated its 20th season. The league has grown
from the original 18 to 125 players ages five to 67 playing on four youth teams and six adult
teams. The adult teams were formed, Paul Rogers, Challenger’s Co-commissioner explains,
“because the original kids grew up and didn’t want to stop playing.” The season runs from April
through June, with each team playing two games per week at Ridgeland’s Hite Wolcott Park.
The Challenger League is open to any child or adult with a disability who wants to play, at no
cost to the players or their families. While most of the players are from the Jackson Metro area,
the league includes several players who travel up to 100 miles for the opportunity to take a
swing.
www.coastalfamilyhealth.org
The mission of Coastal
Family Health Center
(CFHC) is to promote
healthy communities by
providing accessible,
quality primary
healthcare services to all
persons regardless of
economic status. We
accomplish this with
competent and caring
staff who works to meet
and exceed expected
standards for care and
customer satisfaction.
The Homeless Coordinator of Outreach Services is responsible for the following:
Coordination, communication and problem solving related to Coastal Family Health
Center’s homeless outreach services.
Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and ongoing evaluation of
CFHC’s homeless Outreach services policies.
Coordinates data collection/reporting activities associated with outreach services.
Coordinates activities with other outreach workers and work with staff of the
homeless clinic, promotes customer services by resolving patient concerns in a
timely
manner.
Provides assistance to homeless patients and CFHC staff by helping to schedule
appointments with the clinics and other agencies.
Develop linkage with city wide agencies in a collaborative effort to better the
welfare
of the homeless population located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Coastal Family Health Center, Inc. (CFHC) is a non-profit
501c(3) Federally Qualified Health Center serving
Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties, the three coastal
counties of Mississippi, since 1978, representing 33 years
of uninterrupted service to the area.
www.cwcbiloxi.org
“The mission of Coastal Women for Change is to make a difference in our communities through securing and revitalizing our neighborhoods. We do this by ensuring that our communities have
adequate information in a timely manner so that we can both influence and make informed decisions about the recovery process and community development, now and in the future.”
With these goals in mind, the participation of the community we want to serve by partnering with other organizations with similar purposes, CWC will make the
vision a reality and the community a safe and prosperous place to call home.
CWC will strive to develop creative and innovative projects that augment community development
CWC will build its community resource services by implementing:
Youth Mentorship/ Leadership and Support Group Programs, Elderly
Projects, & Coastal Restoration Projects.
CWC will continue to be an information center in the community by raising public awareness and issues relevant to the residents of Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Commercial Appeal on November 26, 2011.
-By Amos Maki
Since March, about 300 people have signed up for a program designed
to steer them away from costly alternative financial institutions --
payday lenders, car-title lenders and check cashers -- and into regular
bank and credit-union accounts.
The Clarion-Ledger on November 26, 2011.
-By Jerry Mitchell
With payday lending and check cashing services growing in popularity, some banks are
offering similar services…Bill Bynum, CEO for Hope Credit Union, offers a program
where credit union customers can borrow $500 over six months at 18 percent APR.
HOPE Opens New Full-Service Branch in Utica
Celebrates with Ribbon Cutting and Community Fair 11/5
Hinds County, MS – HOPE (Hope Credit Union) has opened a full-service branch to serve residents
of Utica, Mississippi, and surrounding communities. The location at 107 Depot Street is fully
staffed and able to provide HOPE’s complete range of affordable, responsible financial products
and related services.
El Pueblo The Village
www.elpueblo-ms.org
A New U.S. Citizen!
Hector Tuesta became a U.S. citizen
at a swearing-in ceremony. He is
pictured receiving his naturalization
certificate with his daughter.
“As long as injustice continues to
take away the power of my
brothers and sisters, I shall
continue the journey and the
fight…correcting everything that
stands against love. When love,
justice and mercy are our
incentives and our agenda, we
shall overcome.
Peace, Joy and Justice” -Sally Bevill
El Pueblo is an active, vital organization helping
immigrant communities along the Mississippi Gulf
Coast.
Immigration Legal Services: El Pueblo houses the
Hispanic/Latino Ministries Immigration Legal Clinic,
which is recognized by the Board of Immigration
Appeals (BIA) of the U.S. Department of Justice. The
Clinic is staffed by the only two BIA accredited
paralegals in the state of Mississippi. The Clinic provides
high quality, low cost, family-based immigration services
greatly needed by immigrants of the Mississippi Gulf
Coast region. We specialize in family-based immigration.
Changing Hearts and Minds: Projects that inform
the public of the immigrant reality in order to combat
the growing xenophobia in this country.
http://www.mississippigulfresortclassic.com/birdies-for-charity.php
www.equityandinclusion.org
&
Values
To end poverty and inequity in the South, we believe in building a
movement and organization that are accountable to the priorities of
low-income communities and supporting them…by…
The knowledge, voice, and empowerment of grassroots communities
Intergenerational movement building
Integrity, truth telling, character building, and moral leadership
Meeting people where they are, respect, inclusion, and cultural understanding
Building individual and community resilience, helping each other learn to help ourselves
Opportunity, equity and justice
Quality, accurate, timely, and user-friendly information
Transparency and accountability
Taking action
Commitment, consistency, and passion to do what it takes to accomplish our purpose
Publicly naming our core values and supporting people to live them
www.makeitfair.com
Who Are We
The Gulf Coast Fair Housing Center (GCFHC) is a private non-profit organization.
The center was established by the National Fair Housing Alliance and a group of
concerned Gulf Coast citizens in 2003. GCFHC is active in 6 Mississippi Gulf Coast
Counties: George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone.
The Mission
The Fair Housing Center of the Gulf Coast Region of Mississippi is dedicated to
eliminating housing discrimination and furthering equal housing opportunities
through education, outreach, advocacy, and enforcement of fair housing laws.
What We Do
GCFHC furthers fair housing by dividing its efforts into 2 major categories:
education and enforcement. GCFHC educates Gulf Coast citizens about their
rights under Fair Housing laws and through mass media, presentations, seminars,
workshops, publications etc. In an effort to enforce fair housing laws, GCFHC
takes fair housing complaints from individuals. Complaints are researched and
investigated and clients are assisted in finding the best remedy to their fair
housing issue.
www.healthygulf.org
Gulf Fish Forever - The Gulf of Mexico provides jobs, food, and
recreation to millions of people. As a marine habitat, it is a
national treasure that we should all want to preserve.
Commercial fishing is a key economic driver around the Gulf.
Global Warming - The Gulf of Mexico is ground zero for the
impacts of climate change. Rising sea-levels, more powerful
hurricanes, and invasive species are all serious threats to the
natural resources of the Gulf, our homes, and our communities.
Healthy Waters - The Gulf Restoration Network works to
protect and restore waters throughout the Gulf of Mexico that
are critical to recreation, fisheries, wildlife habitat, and
drinking water.
Natural Defenses - Hurricane Seasons have shown how
vulnerable Gulf coastal communities are. As impacted areas
rebuild, decision-makers and planners must protect and
enhance the natural barriers that help protect our communities.
United For A Healthy Gulf
www.hopecda.org
Supporting the individuals, families,
small businesses, and neighborhoods of Biloxi, Mississippi.
Mission: Hope Community Development Agency will leverage
resources to build capacity and develop viable, affordable
and stable neighborhoods.
Vision: Hope Community Development Agency will unite
partners to create vibrant and sustainable communities.
Case Management - The main focus of Hope Community
Development Agency is to assist our clients with obtaining
sustainable permanent housing.
Community Outreach - Hope CDA also supports efforts to
maintain the integrity of East Biloxi by participating in and
disseminating information to residents on pressing issues such
as: FEMA trailers, Flood Elevation levels, Environmental issues,
and any other concerns that affect the quality of life in the
community.
A Housing Resource Center…
H
www.lesm.org
LESM is a faith-based, non-profit organization serving at-risk
families and children throughout Mississippi.
We serve people of all ages, races, religions and economic
circumstances. Our commitment is to help transform the lives of
at-risk individuals, families and communities so that they may
become more interdependent, secure, empowered, healthy and
hope-filled.
Lutheran
Episcopal
Services In
Mississippi
engage…educate…empower…
Our Vision: To rebuild and restore family and community.
Our Mission: Guided by Christ’s love and grace, LESM serves as an
instrument seeking to bring dignity, healing, justice, hope and
encouragement to all people.
www.lifeofms.com
WHAT WE DO:
Supplying information and referral services to allow sufficient access
and utilization of available assistance;
Furnishing peer support and guidance to encourage, establish and
maintain independent living attitudes and philosophies;
Rendering advocacy and self-advocacy support on an individual or
systems-wide basis;
Providing skills training instruction in an array of areas to improve
specific independent living abilities and competencies;
Assisting individuals with disabilities in their efforts to transition
successfully from institutions back into their own homes and communities
and preventing the institutional placement of people with disabilities.
Providing or coordinating equipment or supplies, modifications or
other services that improve an individuals capacity to live independently
Dedicated to the Empowerment of People with Significant Disabilities
GURLS for Life, 2010 Eden Street, Pascagoula, MS 39581
228-218-2348
“…Other active local partners in
Louisiana's Gulf Coast included Voice of
the Ex-Offender, National Urban League,
Puentas, Neighborhood Partnership
Network, Vietnamese American Youth of
Louisiana-New Orleans, and Mary Queen
of Viet Nam Community Development
Corporation. Partners in coastal
Mississippi included Coastal Women for
Change, NAACP-Biloxi, and
COUNTING IN THE GULF COAST: HIGH EXPECTATIONS; LOCAL FRUSTRATION; UNCERTAIN OUTCOME
http://www.civilrights.org/publications/reports/census-gulf-coast-2011/counting-in-the-gulf-coast.html
At Mercy Housing and Human Development, our main goal is to provide home-
ownership opportunities to families whose income is between 30 percent and 80
percent of local HUD median income.
By collaborating with other organizations having similar missions and values, MHHD
uses integrated strategies to provide housing, community and economic development
for low-wealth families of Mississippi. Through research, analysis, advocacy, direct
services and community organizing, MHHD responds to contemporary needs.
Since 1997, MHHD has helped first-time homebuyers purchase homes. The value of
homes bought since that time tops $6.3 million. Grants awarded by MHHD toward
these purchases exceed $1 million.
At Mercy Housing and Human Development, not only are we lighting the path toward
home ownership, but we are staying involved post-purchase with programs that
promote home maintenance and continuing financial stability. We strive to empower
communities through home ownership and to enable families to build better lives.
www.mscenterforjustice.org
The Mississippi Center for Justice is a nonprofit, public interest law firm committed
to advancing racial and economic justice. Supported
and staffed by attorneys, community leaders and volunteers, the Center develops and pursues strategies to combat
discrimination and poverty statewide.
Paheadra Robinson
Honored with Florence
Kelley Consumer
Leadership Award
-October 6, 2011
Mississippi Center for
Justice's founding
president and CEO
Martha Bergmark
honored as part of
President Barack
Obama's Winning the
Future Initiative.
–October 13, 2011
HIV Epidemic in the
South Reaches Crisis
Proportion
The Southeastern U.S. is
experiencing the highest
rate of new HIV/AIDS
infections, says the
executive summary of a
research report released
by The Southern
HIV/AIDS Strategy
Initiative (SASI).
-November 29, 2011
IT Support
The Mississippi Center for Justice operates two offices,
presenting a great need for document transfer and multi-
office networking between the two offices. An IT expert
could analyze current systems and technology tools, and
offer recommendations for improvements. Technology
trainings are also needed.
Policy Campaigns
At the heart of our mission to create a just society is a
desire to build healthy communities across Mississippi. By
engaging elected officials, faith-based leaders, media,
community activists, educators, childcare providers,
healthcare professionals and other advocacy partners, the
Mississippi Center for Justice provides the legal
perspective to policy initiatives that improve the lives of
Mississippians.
Volunteer attorneys provide recovery assistance
MCJ
www.msidtf.org
MCIDTF's own, Rev. Dr. Alice Graham has been awarded
the Purpose Prize to celebrate a well life of dedication to the betterment of others and the
communities in which they live.
"With decades of energy and passion ahead of them, five
people will win the 2011 Purpose Prize® for improving
their communities and the world."
Congratulations, Rev. Graham!
MCIDTF Role and Accomplishments in
Disaster Response and Recovery
MS Coast Interfaith Disaster Task Force (MCIDTF) was formed in 1980
as a Long Term Recovery Committee to respond to the needs of MS
Gulf Coast citizens following hurricane Frederick .
MCIDTF also coordinates a bi-monthly learning collaborative that
brings together mental health professionals, clergy, community
leaders, and disaster relief professionals for training and networking
to address the unmet needs of coastal communities and work
together to provide solutions that address these needs utilizing
collaborative efforts.
MCIDTF Endeavors:
MCIDTF is currently working with its partners to address the short and
long term impacts of the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster on coastal residences.
As a member of South MS Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster it
played a key role in the Summit’s organization and coordination.
MCIDTF is working with local partners to determine necessary
resources for assisting citizens impacted by the Oil Spill Disaster.
www.mhap.org
The Mississippi Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) strives to be a strong, effective voice for
improved health care for all throughout the state of Mississippi, especially those whose health
is threatened by poverty, racism, malnutrition and violence. MHAP will work with communities
to identify health needs and formulate strategies for change, and will research, analyze,
propose and promote policies that will enhance the health status of every person, regardless
of financial status.
MHAP MISSION
MHAP researches health care and human services initiatives at the state and national levels
and serves as an information clearinghouse for groups across the state. MHAP provides
speakers for church and professional groups on health policy and advocacy. The program
provides more detailed information on health policy and funding during the legislative session
through special previews, action alerts, and updates and keeps the public informed by
providing timely news links on issues of importance.
RESEARCH & COMMUNICATION
MHAP promotes health system change by developing innovative health and human services
policy and monitoring implementation. The program also provides information and support to
front-line workers and poor communities as they work to address problems at the local level.
Mississippi Health Advocacy Programs (MHAP) combines research, analysis and grass-roots
organizing to improve health policies, practices and funding in Mississippi, especially in
support of the state’s poor and undeserved people.
PROVIDING LEADERSHIP
www.yourMIRA.org
-By Susan Eaton
August 10, 2011
One year after Arizona’s dread SB 1070 took effect,
progressives have transferred their fear and
loathing to the 2011 winner in the mainstream
media’s toughest-immigration-law-in-the-nation
contest: Alabama’s HB 56.
Stop and Think Espera y Piensa
The Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance (MIRA) is a membership-based alliance which
seeks to expand the rights and opportunities of vulnerable immigrants in Mississippi–and
by example and extension inform the national policy debate over immigration reform.
MIRA works to support immigrants in the exercise of their rights through providing legal
services, organizing, advocacy and public education. MIRA was formed in the Fall of 2000
in response to the needs of the rapidly growing, largely Latino immigrant population in
Mississippi. Through constant vigilance and activity, MIRA members have successfully
advocated the defeat of anti-immigrant legislation introduced in Mississippi, including
English-only bills and other oppressive measures.
Enhance the quality of child development experiences for all
low-income children living in Mississippi;
Advocate improved child care policies and greater public
investment in child care subsidy programs for low-income
families; and
Build a strong, grassroots constituency.
ABOUT MLICCI
Quality Early Care for All Mississippi's Children
The Mississippi Low-Income Child Care Initiative (MLICCI) is a
statewide, nonprofit organization of parents, providers, and
community leaders working together to:
www.mschildcare.org
MS Rainbow Alliance, originally known as Mississippi Gulf Coast Gay
Community Social Club, has spearheaded the drive to host outstanding
events and provide social support and public information. The primary
goal of MS Rainbow Alliance has been to become a fixture in the community
that is dedicated to educating and fostering understanding and patience
between the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex
(LGBTQI) and heterosexual communities with the certainty that it will lead
to mutual acceptance and fairness among all residents of Mississippi.
MS Rainbow Alliance is committed to the elimination of discrimination
based on sex, gender, race, class, socio-economic status, ethnic
background, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, cultural background,
religious belief, lack of religious belief, HIV status, or mental health status.
www.wix.com/msrainbowalliance.com/homepage
www.moorecommunityhouse.org
Located in the heart of
east Biloxi, Moore
Community House serves
low-income families with
quality child care,
education and programs
for community
development, leadership,
and comprehensive family
services.
EARLY HEADSTART
Providing early care and education for infants to three-year-olds and
comprehensive health and family support services--including for pregnant
mothers. MCH's program targets teen mothers so they can remain in school
and graduate. The program now operates in a new post-Katrina facility on
the Hope 6 public housing site in Biloxi.
MOORE PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
CHILD CARE FOOD PROGRAM
MCH's Child Care Food Program provides each enrolled
child with nutritious meals and snacks. It also supports
nutrition education. COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES
Case management starts with an intake interview with each parent and includes
a comprehensive family needs assessment. MCH responds where possible and
makes referrals to partner community organizations.
EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING REFERRALS
MCH offers employment and training referrals for adult
residents who live in public housing and have kids in our
child care programs.
The New Orleans Black Men & Boys Initiative (NOLA BMBI)
The NOLA BMB Initiative seeks to shape a new future for black
men and boys in the great city of New Orleans. This is a multi-
year initiative is composed of strategic community and
national campaigns focused on issues of critical impact on
Black Men & Boys. Community-rooted campaigns will focus on
community-building and policy advocacy. Together these
separate campaigns work toward one shared vision of helping
to make New Orleans a place where Black Men & Boys thrive.
MFGC 2010-2013 Redistricting Awareness &
Advocacy Initiative:
Not counting displaced persons who are and have
been actively rebuilding will also adversely affect
congressional redistricting. Louisiana post Katrina
stands to lose one Congressional District and one
Electoral vote in March of 2011.
What is Operation Recover and Restore?
Operation Recover and Restore is a restorative justice
project consisting of a threefold awareness and regional
advocacy campaign that works with residents from the
Gulf Coast through the following community-based
initiatives.
Moving Forward Gulf
Coast, Inc. is a
community-based
initiative committed
to Restorative
Justice for residents
of the Gulf Coast
region.
MOVING FORWARD
One person, one vote:
The principle derived from the Equal Protection Clause of
the Fourteenth Amendment that each person's vote should
count the same as every other person’s vote which is
achieved by requiring that all legislative districts be drawn
approximately equal in population.
Founded in 1909,
the NAACP is the
nation's oldest and
largest civil rights
organization. From
the ballot box to
the classroom, the
thousands of
dedicated workers,
organizers, leaders
and members who
make up the
NAACP continue to
fight for social
justice for all
Americans.
World AIDS Day: Getting To Zero:
From cities and communities to
college campuses, NAACP units are
focused on how to prevent new
cases of HIV/AIDS.
NAACP Takes Death Penalty
Fight to CT: NAACP President &
CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous joins
Troy Davis' sister Kim in
Connecticut to call for the repeal
of the death penalty.
Take a Stand For Freedom
In Your Community: JOIN
the stand For Freedom
campaign for voting rights.
Daisy Bates Education
Summit: December 1-3,
2011 "Finding Our Way
Back to First" - Get
details and information
for this year's education
summit Thursday, Dec.
1— Saturday, Dec. 3.
James Crowell
Biloxi Branch
NAACP President
Ruth Story
Gulfport Branch
NAACP President
Johnis Ross
NAACP Youth
Advisor
www.naacp.org
The National Alliance of Vietnamese American Service Agencies (NAVASA)
is a national organization whose mission is to improve social and economic
justice in the Vietnamese communities throughout the country. NAVASA
achieves its mission by implementing three key strategies:
(1) Building organizational capacity of Vietnamese-led community-based
organizations (CBOs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs),
(2) Developing a new generation of non-profit leaders, and
(3) Increasing funding support for Vietnamese CBOs and FBOs.
Developing Leaders and Transforming Organizations
NAVASA launched the National Dan Than (Be the Change) Corps in
2004 to prepare a new generation of nonprofit leaders. To date:
-3 Dan Than alumni serve as current executive director of nonprofits
-2 Dan Than alumni received New Voices Fellowship
-Dan Than corps members serve in 10 different host sites: Silver
Spring, MD; Springfield, MA; Atlanta, GA; New Orleans, LA; Biloxi,
MS; Houston, TX; Seattle, WA; San Jose, CA; Sacramento, CA; and
Oakland, CA.
There is no Plan B: The cost of the Port of
Gulfport expansion for neighboring communities
The port expansion may sound like a great idea, but it is actually a total waste of
valuable money that was supposed to go to the people here. $570 million dollars was
allocated to the repair and reconstruction of low and moderate income homes in the
wake of Hurricane Katrina, but our political figures misused those funds. Supporters
of the expansion say that this port will bring in more money and jobs to Mississippi.
There is the theory that once the Panama Canal expands, the influx of ship traffic will
bring business to the port of Gulfport, but is that really how things will play out?
"The Mission of the North Gulfport Community Land Trust is
to protect and preserve the African American cultural
heritage, and honor the ancestors of the North Gulfport
community through the creation of permanently affordable
housing, community advocacy and reinvestment."
www.oxfamamerica.org
Oxfam America is an international relief and
development organization that creates lasting
solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice.
Together with individuals and local groups in
more than 90 countries, Oxfam saves lives,
helps people overcome poverty, and fights for
social justice. We are one of the 15 affiliates in
the international confederation, Oxfam.
Raymond C. Offenheiser
President, Oxfam America
‘This belongs to them’
Haiti: reducing the risk of flooding in Artibonite
http://mississippi.sierraclub.org/
Dead baby dolphins
wash up in Gulf
Extremely high
numbers of dead baby
dolphins are washing
up along the beaches
of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Oil is Still Here and So Are We: Six months after
the onset of the BP disaster, a lot has changed in the
Gulf region. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar
restructured the former MMS, which oversaw offshore
oil and gas activities; improved regulations for
offshore drilling has been put in place, and; a
moratorium for deepwater drilling was enacted and
then recently lifted however, tougher standards have
made it more difficult for oil companies to resume
drilling immediately.
"How many disasters will it take
until our leaders decide to act? We
don't want to see one more oil
disaster. The BP disaster was
supposed to be the wake up call,
but we hit the snooze button. Today
the alarm went off again."
- Michael Brune, Sierra Club
Executive Director.
“Tell President Obama to clean
up our air”
www.splcenter.org
Richard Cohen at US Supreme
Court
The SPLC was founded to ensure
that the promises of the civil
rights movement became a
reality for all. Since our
founding in 1971, we’ve won
numerous landmark legal
victories on behalf of the
exploited, the powerless and the
forgotten.
Our lawsuits have toppled
institutional racism in the South,
bankrupted some of the nation’s
most violent white supremacist
groups and won justice for
exploited workers, abused
prison inmates, disabled
children and other victims of
discrimination.
A Rich History The Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit civil rights
organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to
seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society.
Who We Are
The Southern Poverty Law Center called on the
Birmingham, Ala. community to demand that city
officials stop allowing police officers to use Mace
against students in Birmingham’s public schools.
Southern Poverty Law Center Calls on
Birmingham to defend Students
When George Wallace stood in the "schoolhouse door” to stop African-
American students from enrolling in the University of Alabama, it was
all for show. With Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, we can
only hope that his position is similar political posturing.
Note to Alabama AG 'Big Luther': Stop Acting So Small
By Richard Cohen, President
“I remember the land, where I ran and played and picked flowers.
We fished and picked blackberries, we played soft-ball--all on the
Turkey Creek. Now it has been taken over by the drug dealers.
You see, African Americans couldn’t swim in the Gulf of Mexico,
so we played in the Turkey Creek. We also used it for baptizing
and fishing. We must save the Turkey Creek-- it saved us.”
North Gulfport Community Land Trust Founder: Rose Johnson
www.turkey-creek.org
Recognized in 2001 as one of
Mississippi's Ten Most
Endangered Historical Places,
the Turkey Creek estuary was
settled following the Civil War
by African-American freedmen whose twenty-
first century descendants now find themselves
besieged near the geographic and commercial
epicenter of Mississippi's second largest and
fastest growing city (Gulfport).
Purpose
Perpetual Recovery
Derrick
Christopher Evans
Executive Director
Throughout the 1970s
and much of the
1980s, Turkey Creek's
land use, folkways,
community institutions, and architecture
remained remarkably true to earlier
times. Land was security passed from one
generation to the next and descendants
of the settlers held tight to the long,
narrow lots extending south from Rippy
Road to the creek and beyond.
A Rich History
As neighborhoods
improve, we target
new partners to
strengthen our
organization as
new challenges are
embraced. We
continue to
explore housing
development and
advocate for
housing-related
needs.
www.visionsofhopeblx.org
MISSION AND PURPOSE
Our mission is to provide safe, permanently affordable
housing and security from displacement for low-
moderate income residents.
Our purpose is to build strong and stable communities
through the empowerment of its residents by offering
access to education, healthcare, training and other
resources.
Youth IDA Program
Prescription Assistance
VITA Tax Preparation
Every year, we
have made it
possible for
hundreds of
people to receive
GED diplomas. A
competitive
workforce has
made essential
the importance of
having an
educated
background.
Because we are free people,
born of free people,
who are born of free people,
back as far as time begins,
we celebrate your freedom.
Because we are wise people,
born of wise people,
who are born of wise people,
we celebrate your wisdom.
Because we are strong people,
born of strong people,
who are born of strong people,
we celebrate your strength.
Because we are magical people,
born of magical people,
who are born of magical people,
we celebrate your magic.
My people, we gathered here to
speak your names…
CHÚNG TA NÓI TÊN BẠN
Bưởi vì chúng ta sinh ra là người tự do,
Sinh ra của tự do,
Là người sinh ra người tự do,
Từ ngày xưa khi thời gian mới bắt đầu,
Chúng tôi ca tụng niềm tự do của bạn.
Bưởi vì chúng ta là người có trí tuệ,
Sinh ra của người có trí tuệ,
Là người sinh ra người trí tuệ,
Chúng tôi ca tụng trí tuệ của bạn.
Vì chúng ta là người hùng mạnh,
Sinh ra của người hùng mạnh,
Là người hùng mạnh sinh ra người hùng
mạnh,
Chúng tôi ca tụng sự hùng mạnh của bạn.
Vì chúng ta là người kỳ diệu,
Sinh ra của người kỳ diệu,
Người kỳ diệu sinh ra người kỳ diệu,
Chúng tôi ca tụng sự kỳ diệu của bạn.
Công dân ơi, chúng ta gôm lại đây để nói
đến tên bạn……