Old and New Wisdom for Urban Youth Workers Attention is riveted on Asia in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami. Many people of faith are praying not only for the victims, but also for the aid workers–recognizing that these humanitarian servants on the frontlines feel overwhelmed on a daily basis. While America’s urban youth workers haven’t faced a natural catastrophe like the tsunami, they do confront overwhelming realities regularly: teen suicide, youth gangs, child abuse and neglect, drive-by shootings, failing schools. How can these frontlines servants stay fresh, courageous, engaged, and hopeful? Peer-to-peer learning and support is a key. Initiatives and organizations such as the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative, the annual Urban Youth Workers Institute, and the CompassionWorks conferences provide forums for youth workers to gather and network; swap experiences and ideas; cry, worship and pray; and learn from veterans. For its part, FASTEN has been searching for written resources for urban youth workers that can provide encouragement and illumination. We’ve discovered two recently–-one old and one new--that try to capture peer-to-peer learning in text form. Youth M inistry in City Churches: Proven Tips From Over 40 Youth Ministry Veterans was published even before many of today’s urban workers were old enough to be on the streets. Its wisdom remains relevant even though some of the statistical information provided in the book is now outdated. City Lights: Ministry Essentials for Reaching Urban Youth just rolled off the presses last year. Eighteen veteran urban ministry practitioners contributed to this volume, tackling such topics as ministry to Native American and Southeast Asians teens, how to equip urban churches to enfold street kids, and what to expect from urban-suburban partnerships in youth ministry. Both volumes offer youth workers a chance to participate in a large “conversation” and be reminded that they do not struggle alone. More information on these resources and several others FASTEN has identified is now available on the FASTEN Web site: click here.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
For FBOs: NCCED’s 2005 Forum for Re-entry and Community Economic Development, February 15-16, Miami, FL: The National Congress for Community Economic Development Corporations will look at the role of financial institutions, CDCs, business and others in collaborating to reintegrate released prisoners into the community. 21st Annual NET Institute, Feb. 24-26, 2005, Orlando, FL: The NET Conference will focus on Faith, Recovery, and Compassion in order to nurture, equip, and train those in compassion and recovery ministry or those who desire to enter the ministry. Speakers include Dr. Robert Perkinson, author of "Chemical Dependency Counseling" and "God Talks to You," as well as NET Institute President Dr. Jean LaCour. There will be pre-conference training on "Sexual Addiction and Restoring the Soul." Four workshop tracks include a Hispanic track with Spanish translation and a track focusing on African American issues. For Social Workers: Baylor University’s Center for Family & Community Ministry, in cooperation with the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, is hosting “Hand in Hand,” a conference on building strong communities for children and families in Dallas, TX on March 4-5, 2005.
New Topic Launched on FASTEN: “Orientation to Faith-Based Social Services” Many private philanthropies and public agencies have begun expressing interest in partnering with faith-based organizations in serving their communities. But for some, the “faith community” is an unfamiliar sector, with its own (often strange and confusing!) subculture and language. To help bridge the gap between sectors, FASTEN offers a variety of short articles aimed at helping those outside the faith community to understand the world of faith-based social services. These include short essays on such topics as the nature of FBOs, their uniqueness, the differences between FBOs and congregations, and the value of FBOs as organizations that create “safe spaces” for vulnerable people. Below is an excerpt from one article from this new topical department on FASTEN, entitled “Belief Systems in Faith-Based Human Service Programs” by Diana Garland, Ellen Netting, Mary Katherine, and Gaynor Yancey. Scholars have reminded us that the values-expressive nature, roots, and traditions of nonprofit organizations cannot be ignored, particularly for those that consider themselves “faith-based.” What is it, though, that makes a program “faith-based?” When the FASTEN Research Team asked the staff and administrators of these programs this question, they told us stories of mission-driven visions tied to forces beyond local programs and steeped in deep traditions, beliefs, and guiding philosophies. These stories shape their work in ways that have important implications for effective collaborative partnerships. Of the 15 programs we studied, 12 were housed in religiously affiliated 501(c)(3) organizations and three were located in congregations. All were located in large urban areas and all served persons with low incomes. Each program is unique, yet a common theme emerged that transcends geographic site, even religious tradition….Click here to read the rest of the article. FASTEN
Sharing Knowledge, Strengthening Connections, Improving Outcomes | | | 
- FASTEN “En Español” Coming Soon!
FASTEN’s Web team is currently making preparations to launch a Spanish “department” within the site. Approximately 250 pages of the site will be available in Spanish by early March 2005.
Baylor Team Completes National Survey of FBOs A research team headed by Baylor’s Rob Rogers recently concluded an in-depth mail survey of nearly 800 congregations and FBOs from twelve cities in the U.S. Among the preliminary findings: these groups serve an impressive 8.3 million individuals. The team is continuing data analysis and will be preparing informative briefings and articles for publication on FASTENnetwork.org over the next months.
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HCP: Networks of Faith Commissions Book by Elizondo and Gonzalez Prominent Latino theologians Fr. Virgilio Elizondo and Dr. Justo Gonzalez are partnering with the Hispanic Capacity Project by developing a short book explaining and describing the theology of social services. The book, which will be accompanied by a practical manual, is directed to Hispanic faith leaders in both the Protestant and Catholic communities to encourage more church-based holistic ministry.
Reminder: The “Partners in Transformation” Contest Applications Deadline is April 1, 2005
Don’t be too late! If your FBO is engaged in a meaningful partnership with an organization(s) outside the faith community, through which you have demonstrated tangible outcomes in solving some community problem, be sure to apply now for one of our $5000 awards.
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Attention nonprofit directors: have you seen CharityChannel.com? Don’t miss out on their helpful fundraising info. One example: the site includes “Don Griesmann's Grant Opportunities,” a weekly newsletter publishing up-to-date information on new grant opportunities that you might not learn of from any other source. Visit their site here. 
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