Hudson's History with FASTEN
Hudson’s Faith in Communities team was conducting a series of research projects examining faith-based social services when we were invited by the Pew Charitable Trusts to join the FASTEN initiative. Specifically, FIC had published the first study of the work of faith-based intermediary organizations and was finishing the first in-depth survey of the community serving activities of Hispanic congregations. This applied research focus, in addition to our experience in providing technical assistance to FBOs and public administrators, made us natural allies in FASTEN’s mission.
Hudson's Contribution to FASTEN
Hudson leads FASTEN’s efforts to strengthen intermediaries through technical assistance and peer-to-peer learning events; to provide training and technical assistance to grassroots FBOs, private philanthropies, and public administrators; and to acquire and develop educational materials for inclusion on the FASTEN Web site.
- Hudson’s Catalysts initiative gathers 25 leading faith-based intermediaries for peer-to-peer learning events and provides customized technical assistance to build their capacity.
- Hudson FIC staff conduct training sessions at a variety of conferences reaching faith-based practitioners, private philanthropists, and public administrators. Click here for a recent listing of training events.
- Hudson researchers have developed a formal process for acquiring high-quality existing educational resources (e.g., toolkits, how-to manuals, curricula, program models, informative case studies, etc.) and developing these into user-friendly, downloadable products for the FASTEN Web site. Researchers identify experts and veteran practitioners in a variety of social service activities (topics explored thus far have included youth education, family mentoring, job training, effective use of volunteers, strategic planning, and others) and, based on their initial recommendations, scour the nation for promising materials for the FASTEN site. Small but diverse teams of experienced faith-based practitioners then gather to review the materials and make recommendations for which should be included. Through this process, FASTEN is acquiring a resource library composed of materials judged to be highly practical, valuable, and relevant to the field.
- Hudson FIC is also engaged in original, applied research efforts in the field leading to published case studies, reports on lessons learned, and how-to toolkits for the three FASTEN audiences.
- Hudson is also facilitating a Hispanic Leadership Team of experienced practitioners who will develop and implement a pilot training program for Hispanic faith leaders, to build their capacity for implementing social service programs in their local communities.
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