In line with Valley Interfaith Project 's long-term regional economic development strategy, leader Monica Dorcey urged the Maricopa County Community College District Board to support increasing local investments in the community colleges. ”These community colleges are the best driver of economic development that we have,” said Dorcey who is also a board member of job training program AZ Career Pathways , established by VIP in partnership with the community colleges.

Immigration

OTOC & Allies Stop Coal Burning in North Omaha

News about the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD)'s long-term plan for electricity generation -- to continue burning coal in North Omaha and to only maintain conservation and the use of renewable energy sources -- angered OTOC leaders. In May, the OTOC Environmental Sustainability Team presented 4 key demands to the OPPD Board leading it to agree to stop burning coal in North Omaha, increase wind and solar energy sources to 32% of their total, and expand conservation programs.

Valley Interfaith Examines Benzene Plume Near Church

Valley Interfaith is drawing a connection between stories of cancer-related deaths, three gas stations and a benzene plume moving through a neighborhood blocks from St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in McAllen. Leaders are in the midst of a research campaign with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas state legislators and County Commissioners to get to the bottom of the benzene plume. Discovery of the toxic gas plume emerged from a listening campaign about the concerns of Rio Grande Valley residents.

Neighborhood Fights & Victories

Sydney Alliance Wins Commuter Lift at Station

MOC Wins Commitments for More Emergency Shelter

Working Together Jackson's 'Clean Elections' Pact Invoked as Mayoral Race Turns Muddy



Delta Cluster of NCL Interfaith Zeroes In On Inequality

ICON Fights for Moratorium on Trash Processing

The Border Organization Fights for More Police Hires

The West Texas Organizing Strategy stirred the pot in Lubbock by organizing a well-attended meeting to ensure that citizens' concerns about Lubbock Power & Light get addressed. City Councilmember Hernandez, two candidates for Council District 3 and a representative from LP&L listened to four stories from the crowd before engaging in "open dialogue." Sydney Alliance leaders celebrated Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian’s announcement that an elevator would be installed soon. Stroller-carrying parents, senior citizens and wheelchair using residents launched a campaign to make the Sydney public transportation system more accessible. Leaders identified an additional 761 stations that are not currently wheelchair accessible. Building on a program they created 7 years ago to provide emergency shelter for Marin residents during winter months, 250 Marin Organizing Committee leaders succeeded in persuading both leading candidates for Marin County District 1 Supervisor to commit to finding money to expand the program to year round. Candidates Susan Adams and Damon Connolly both said YES to the crowd gathered at Congregation Rodef Sholom. When the Jackson mayoral campaign turned ugly -- with a series of negative ads paid for by an organization that does not exist on paper -- both candidates invoked the “clean elections” pact created by Working Together Jackson . This commitment was leveraged during an accountability session that garnered additional pledges on infrastructure, neighborhood renewal, workforce development and bridging long-standing racial, class and political divides in Jackson. Northern & Central Louisiana Interfaith organized the region's first bi-racial public accountability session with Mayoral candidates soon after CNN named Lake Providence the “ most unequal place in America ." To address that inequality Delta cluster leaders brought workforce program NOVA into town and began working with local manufacturer Myriant to train for jobs paying at least $50K / year with benefits. Leaders are also researching financing alternatives to help families avoid predatory payday lenders.The newly renamed Inland Communities Organizing for Power (ICON) continued the fight for cleaner air in Pomona; in testimony to the City Council, ICON leader Lisa Engdahl pointed out that two significant fires started at the waste processing centers this year. Leaders want a moratorium until the City develops an action plan.

With the Del Rio Police Department currently operating at 63% (45 sworn officers out of the 71 for which the DRPD is funded), The Border Organization took the issue to the City Council. Leader Sandra Fuentes called for additional hiring of police officers, testifying that department efficiency must be balanced with the safety of local residents.