More than 300 people have volunteered their services to present the Dinners and-with so many individuals ready to help others-Carol Prichard (who organized the Community Dinners project) decided to find other ways for these folks to serve our community. She invited representatives from 17 different faith communities to complete a survey identifying needs here in south Sarasota County. The three top priorities: affordable housing, support for the homeless, and joblessness.
A workshop was held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on March 27, 2010 to discuss these issues. As a result, the Interfaith Community Outreach Organizing Program (CO-OP) was born. They are now at work to find out more about those needs so they can plan just how the faith groups might work together to meet them. The committee consists of one representative from each participating faith community. Maria Reba and Barbara Griffin volunteered to be co-chairs.
The first meeting of the newly formed committee was held at St. Mark's on April 17, 2010 to further define purpose and mission and discuss our initial approach. Our intention is to gather information from local service agencies and organizations about community needs. Committee members will then educate their home congregations about what has been learned and advocate ways we might cooperate in coordinating volunteers to meet these community needs.
The Interfaith CO-OP is in its formative stage, but the potential is great to further promote the Venice Interfaith Mission: "Faiths United in Service." Barbara Griffin, co-chair 497-2733 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Maria Reba, co-chair, 497-4583 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it