Written by Lori Riggs
Coordinated by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships Office is an integral part of the effort to provide opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to give back and serve their communities. These partnerships ensure that groups have the capacity, tools, and volunteer resources they need to help our communities maximize their full potential.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is dedicated to strengthening the work of the Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to better serve Americans in need. They build bridges between federal government agencies, secular and faith-based nonprofits, schools, and other organizations committed to strengthening their communities. By providing people power to help address emerging needs in communities, millions of Americans are engaging in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs.
Opportunities vary by program. To learn more about availability, eligibility, responsibilities, new grants and volunteer opportunities go to: www.NationalService.gov.
AmeriCorps VISTA – Working to Provide Long-Term Solutions to Poverty
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) provides full-time members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations, and public agencies to create and expand programs that bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. “AmeriCorps VISTA members leverage human, financial, and material resources to increase the capacity of thousands of low-income areas across the country to address challenges and improve their lives and communities.” What they leave behind are lasting solutions to some of our country’s toughest problems. Visit www.AmeriCorps.gov to learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA.
The Partnerships for the Common Good Guide explains how the 13 Federal Centers for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and CNCS can collaborate with you to accomplish your goals www.hhs.gov/partnerships/resources/partnerships_toolkit.pdf.
Additional Resources
- Examples of CNCS-supported FBNP Projects
- Federal Centers for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
- Frequently Asked Questions for Faith-Based Organizations
The Center for Community Progress
The Center for Community Progress (www.communityprogress.net) is helping to turn vacant spaces into vibrant places. This organization was born to help communities address the rising stock of vacant and abandoned properties that undermine neighborhoods’ social, physical and economic viability. The Center is working to prevent further abandonment and to implement viable reuse of vacant properties.
Community Progress is a clearinghouse for developing and sharing best practices. “Through their website, conferences and print and electronic publications, Community Progress gathers, refines and disseminates information across the nation on practical strategies to repurpose vacant and problem property. The website works as a virtual ‘tool box’ for those looking for best practices, templates for legislation, guidelines for policy, and substantive strategic thinking about land reuse, resizing cities and towns, and the host of other issues raised by abandonment and vacancy.”
Through in-depth experience in working with states and municipalities to educate and advocate for systemic change, they have built a network of supports and partners, to strengthen their ability to advocate for state and federal policies that empower communities to better prevent, control and reuse vacant properties and land.
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