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 ARTFUL
ASKERS FUNDRAISING WORKSHOP.
Sponsored by the
Oklahoma Family Policy Council and the OFBCI, the Artful
Askers workshop was held on November 12, 2008 at Living
Faith Ministries. The workshop was based on "connecting
a cheerful giver and a grateful recipient by an 'artful'
ask." Attendees were provided with technical assistance
for leveraging resources, capacity building, fund
development, and building relationships with funders.
For additional information www.artfulaskers.com.
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PRI FORUM ON JOB TRAINING
AND EMPLOYMENT.
The fourth Prisoner Reentry Educational and Networking
Forums were held on November 3 in Broken Arrow and
November 10 in Oklahoma City. Both events discussed
Oklahoma’s work force needs and employment opportunities
for ex-offenders. Featured speakers included Norma
Noble with the Department of Commerce, Dr. Don Kiffen,
Manager of the Department of Correction’s entrepreneur
training program, and Jim Meek of the CareerTech Skills
Centers.
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EXTERNALLY FOCUSED CHURCH.
Sharefest OKC, Sharefest Tulsa, Crossings Community
Church and The OFBCI (Faithlinks) sponsored a one-day conference to
explore the characteristics of churches that are transforming their
communities as well as provide practical steps for getting started. Dr.
Eric Swanson, co-author of The Externally Focused Church, was the
speaker. The conference was held on October 6 at Crossings Community Church,
and was attended by 136 faith leaders eager to
initiate or expand community outreach.
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BE READY SUNDAY/WEEKEND 2008!
Every September is National
Preparedness Month and the Oklahoma Office of
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives designated
the last Sunday in September as "Be Ready Sunday". Faith-based
organizations across the state were encouraged to address
issues of emergency and disaster preparedness. For more information on why
your congregation should have ongoing involvement,
click here.
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PRI NETWORKING AND EDUCATIONAL FORUMS.
Hosted by the
Oklahoma Partnership for Successful Reentry
(a statewide collaborative of reentry service providers) and the OFBCI,
the second in a series of networking and educational forums on prisoner
reentry was held on April 23, 2008 in Tulsa. Eighty-nine
participants gathered to hear Director
Justin Jones of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections,
learn about reentry opportunities and network with
like-minded individuals.
The agenda was very similar to the forum held on January
31 in Oklahoma City.
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The focus of the July 23 and 24 educational and
networking forums was on mental health and substance
abuse as it relates to the judicial system,
incarceration and reentry. Speakers included
Commissioner Terri White of the Department of Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Services, Dr. Robert
Powitzky, Chief Mental Health Officer for the Department
of Corrections and others who have involvement with
Oklahoma City and Tulsa drug courts. Approximately 140
reentry services providers were in attendance.
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SHAREFEST OKC 2008.
ShareFest is an annual event to highlight and celebrate the numerous ways
the faith community touches the needs of our city with hope and help.
On Saturday, April 19, congregations throughout the
greater OKC metropolitan area were invited to
participate in a one-day coordinated effort. Volunteers
from ninety faith organizations donated their time and
resources to a variety of projects to demonstrate they
care. The event culminated on Sunday, April 20, with a
celebration of accomplishments during the one-day blitz
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BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH FUNDERS.
The Artful Askers grant writing workshop was held on April 11 at the Multi Church
Center in South Oklahoma City. Technical assistance was provided for leveraging
resources, capacity building, fund development and building relationships with
funders. Practical instruction and specific illustrations increased the value of
this training.
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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS LUNCHEON.
The OFBCI, OKDHS, United Way and American Red Cross hosted a luncheon on
April 8, 2008 to discuss a plan for emergency preparedness.
Sixty faith and community leaders from the Oklahoma City
metropolitan area were in attendance. The program
encouraged faith congregations and their members to be involved
in disaster response efforts and included remarks
from Lt. Governor Jari Askins.
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FALLIN HOSTS FAITH LEADER ROUND TABLE.
The Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
joined Congresswoman Mary Fallin in a round table discussion for
faith leaders from Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties
on March 26 at the Character First
Training Center in Oklahoma City.
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NE OKC FAITH LEADERS LUNCHEON.
American Red Cross, United Way of Central Oklahoma, the Office of Faith-Based and
Community Initiatives and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services hosted a March 4,
2008 luncheon for NE Oklahoma City faith leaders. The purpose of the luncheon was to
debrief on disaster relief as it related to the December 2007 ice storm and future
preparedness. Also discussed was the need for a comprehensive assessment of services
and service gaps in NE Oklahoma City
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH (FEBRUARY).
In honor of the Black heritage, the OFBCI sponsored a one-woman drama entitled En Route
to Freedom in several Oklahoma City churches. In this poignant story, a free negro woman struggles over whether to become involved in her white employer's abolititionist
activities with the Underground Railroad. In helping others escape to their freedom, she
risks jeopardizing her own.
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