"Bridge to Hope”: Enterprise and Solidarity proposes a vision and practice of community development that places people, faith, social culture and financial solidarity at the heart of the construction of "another world". As people of faith we do not stand outside the dynamics of economic globalization, but are caught up in them. This is especially the case for those in positions of access to economic and political power, as well as for others who are fascinated by the wealth of economic globalization but find themselves largely left out of its benefits. The life of faith is lived out in the midst of this tension. Christians are invited to approach ethical dilemmas emerging through economic activity from a deeply formed sense of a baptismal vocation to further what will be good for our neighbors, especially those who are economically marginalized.
This concept of Bridge to Hope: Enterprise and Solidarity put forward the premise of asset building and sustainability as a bridge to economic development for the community served by New City Parish. The intent of this project is to break the vicious cycle of poverty in the lives of economically-challenged Angelinos by providing them with positive alternatives instead of drugs, crime, and welfare dependency. Recognizing the complex and inter-connected challenges facing low-income urban residents, through this project NCP seeks to facilitate asset building, wealth creation, and long term sustainability to residents in need and to link distressed neighborhoods with concerned leadership and available resources.
The philosophy of the project is based on solidarity, partnership, collaboration and empowerment. Communities that are empowered to solve their own problems function more effectively than communities that depend on services provided by “outsiders”. Initiatives that empower communities to help themselves, involve residents in decision-making processes, and encourage broad citizen involvement will be more effective than those designed to simply provide services to people or clients. We believe that clients are people who are dependent upon and controlled by their helpers and leaders. Clients are people who understand themselves in terms of their deficiencies and people who wait for others to act on their behalf. Citizens, on the other hand, are people who understand their own problems in their own terms. Citizens perceive their relationship to one another and they believe in their capacity to act. Good clients make bad citizens. Good citizens make strong communities.
NCP began building its Bridge to Hope with a Small Business Fair on Saturday May 6th at Angelica Lutheran Church, Downtown Los Angeles. For more information on how you can help "build bridges" with us please contact the New City Parish Office, (213) 387-9037.
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| The Carnage of the 1992 Civil Unrest in LA |
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