The AMOS Project is a group of congregations committed to living out their faith through public action. As we reflect upon the conditions of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, we see much beauty, and a caring and courageous people with a proud history. At the same time, we also see our children struggling with drugs, racial division, growing poverty, unemployment, and failing schools. People are often unable to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. As people of faith we find these negative conditions intolerable. We affirm the value and dignity of every human life and address critical systemic problems at their root causes. We are challenged and impelled by the prophet Amos who urges: "See that justice is done."
 | Strengthen each member congregation |
| Develop and support, at minimum, five core leaders within each congregation |
| Conduct local trainings on matters of importance to AMOS and to member congregations |
| Make available national leadership training for ALL members of congregations |
| Build AMOS financially through grassroots fundraisers, membership dues and grants |
| Recruit ten new congregation members annually and broaden AMOS' interfaith diversity |
| Talk with thousands of congregation and community members to identify leaders, raise important concerns and develop real solutions |
| Hold public meetings of 1,500 people with community leaders to create action on important issues |
In May 2006 AMOS joined other Gamaliel Foundation affiliates from Cleveland (NOAH) and Youngstown (ACTION) in convening a meeting of 200 faith and civic leaders from throughout Ohio to examine the challenges, and solutions, to the plight of Ohio’s cities and older suburbs. National urban experts David Rusk and John Powell shared their analyses of “what’s the matter with Ohio,” and challenged the leadership of AMOS to build a stronger presence with state government, whose decisions impact cities and older suburbs even more than local officials. Numerous mayors and local officials participated, joining the Ohio Gamaliel affiliates in the emergence of a cooperative effort between urban officials and the faith community to have a stronger voice in the State capital. Locally, AMOS continues this work by expanding its outreach to the mayors of Cincinnati’s “First Suburbs,”
communities which are racially and economically diverse, yet subjected to state and local policies which threaten to undermine that diversity. Similar challenges exist within some of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods, where AMOS outreach is attempting to build new relationships that will ensure stable, integrated communities.
Following up on the May meeting, AMOS convened an October 2006 Public Meeting of more than 1,500 people to raise the concerns of health care, job opportunities, urban revitalization, education and immigration reform. National social justice leader and Sojourners founder Jim Wallis joined AMOS in raising the call to bring our faith values of justice and compassion into the public arena. This call was directed especially at the public officials and candidates attending the Public Meeting: Sherrod Brown, Ohio’s new U.S. Senator; John Cranley and Victoria Wulsin, candidates for US Congress; David Pepper and Phil Heimlich, candidates for Hamilton County Commissioner; and Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, on behalf of Ted Strickland, Ohio’s new governor. Both Senator Brown and Governor Strickland have committed to work closely with AMOS in tackling the challenges of health care, workforce development, education, urban revitalization and immigration reform.
AMOS continues its efforts to advance workforce development and job opportunities for minorities and low-income people on public works projects such as the Banks and highway projects, as well as working in solidarity with the ongoing fight by Cincinnati’s janitors to win a region-wide contract that provides a living wage and health care benefits. To this end, AMOS has initiated new, groundbreaking partnerships with the Building Trades unions and SEIU Local 3.
These are examples of how AMOS, with trained leaders and staff sharing a common vision, can create a powerful coalition for change.
The Gamaliel Foundation is a network of 45 grassroots organizations in 16 states. The foundation works in virtually every major metropolitan area within the Midwest, Northeast, western New York, Pennsylvania, Oakland, California, and South Africa.
Begun in 1986, the Gamaliel Foundation has a two-fold mission. First Gamaliel seeks to build powerful, effective, local and metropolitan organizations for leaders to utilize in rebuilding communities and to link these organizations into a national network that brings about progressive social transformation. Secondly, Gamaliel works to strengthen local congregations that choose to be engaged in such power organizations as a bold expression of their faith.
Gamaliel said "If this
movement does in fact come from God, you will not only be unable to destroy
them, but you will find yourselves fighting against God."
Acts 5:38-39
For more information call:
|
Terry Brennan, Lead Organizer |
The AMOS Project
745 Ezzard Charles Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45203
Phone: 513-751-2222
Fax: 513-751-2225
E-mail: info@theamosproject.org
|
Stephanie Beck Borden, Parish Contact |
Bellarmine Chapel
Phone: (513) 745-1908