News release:
FaithActs for Education today announced a $220,000 effort to provide direct relief–including supermarket gift cards to families and grants to churches–to help alleviate pain and hardship during the coronavirus pandemic. As of this morning, FaithActs has distributed $21,100 in gift cards to 129 households, and $45,750 in grants to 46 member churches to help them provide immediate care to their congregations’ neediest members and relief to the communities they serve.
“We’re about education first and foremost, but a hungry child cannot learn and a hungry family cannot thrive.” said Pastor William McCullough, Senior Pastor of Russell Temple CME Church in Bridgeport and Founder of FaithActs for Education.
In the weeks immediately after the shutdown began last month, FaithActs staff called 1,420 FaithActs members, pastors, and committed voters to understand the issues they were facing related to the coronavirus. The concerns they heard the most were food insecurity, issues with distance learning, and job loss.
FaithActs used the information to develop a comprehensive coronavirus response plan to address the needs of its people. The resulting program includes providing gift cards to families, part-time job opportunities, coaching for pastors, and grants for churches.
“We felt compelled as part of our mission to address the immediate issues and solutions we heard from our people,” FaithActs Executive Director Jamilah Prince-Stewart said.
So far, FaithActs has raised $162,500 for the effort from foundations and individuals. Fundraising is ongoing and tax-deductible donations can be made at faithacts.org/donate.
Last week, newly hired part-time workers from FaithActs began calling people back to offer supermarket gift cards of up to $200.
“While we’re contacting our members and committed voters to provide relief directly to families, we also know that churches play a critical role on the frontlines of this pandemic,” Ms. Prince-Stewart said. “We need them so we can reach more families.”
“We’re grateful to those who have contributed to this effort through funds, labor or prayer,” Ms. Prince-Stewart said. “The people we serve have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. We want to be there for them, and we know we’ll get through this together.”
About FaithActs for Education
FaithActs for Education is a grassroots 501(c)(3) community organizing nonprofit based in Bridgeport. We are people of faith building power to get our children the education they deserve. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to graduate from college, take care of their family, and fulfill their God-given potential. We build relationships, we build leaders, and we build power through community organizing and civic engagement.
I have received 3 voice messages from FaithActs since the State shut down, they asked how I was doing and if there was anything that they could do for me and if I did for me to give them a call. I would like to thank Jamilah Prince-Stewart and Pastor William McCullough for their leadership and willingness to offer help to Bridgeport.
Ron Mackey says:
“I have received 3 voice messages from FaithActs since the State shut down, they asked how I was doing and if there was anything that they could do for me and if I did for me to give them a call. I would like to thank Jamilah Prince-Stewart and Pastor William McCullough for their leadership and willingness to offer help to Bridgeport.”
I have not received a single call. Why is that? Is it because I am white?
Maybe Ron Mackey will explain why he receives wellness calls from ‘FaithActs’.
Tom White, I looked up their website and they said if you want a copy of all the candidates who were running in the primary and the general election no matter what party they were in they had their bio and they were asked a few questions and their picture and they mailed it out for free. So Tom White being white I’m sure if you contact them they will provide you the same service unless you are scare of black people.
Tom White, try to go onto FaithActs for Education website and go to 2019 Voter Guide and with all of the candidates who were running in the primary and the general election no matter what party they were in they had their bio and they were asked a few questions and their picture and they mailed it out for free. All of the information was in a magazine and in color and NOBODY has all of the candidates information in a form of a magazine and it’s for free. FaithActs does NOT endorse any candidates.
No, Ron Mackey, there were no bios in their 2019 Voter Guide. Candidates were asked their occupation, some of whom replied “none”. Most candidates did not reply to FaithActs.
Tom White, always being white, FaithActs for Education asked all candidate who were running office 4 questions with a limited to 75 words per question. Below are the 4 question. Tom White, who else does this and it’s provided to the public for FREE.
Enrique “Rick” Torres
Republican Party Candidate for City Sheriff
Campaign Website: None
Occupation: Self Employed
Previous Elected Offices: City Council
What’s your greatest accomplishment? Your greatest failure?
“Greatest accomplishment is being a father of five & grandfather of 2. Greatest failure was not convincing African-Americans that they are being used by the Democratic party and that they have been sold a lie in Public Assistance.”
Why do you want to serve as Bridgeport’s City Sheriff?
“Having honest politicians in Bridgeport is hugely needed.”
If elected, what will you do to improve education in Bridgeport?
“There is no hope for improving public education in Bpt. Bpt’s priorities with respect to the educational system and its dollars has nothing to do with education.
Are Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) debt collection practices a problem in Bridgeport? If so, what would you do to help fix it?
“The debt collection by WPCA are scandolous. Hundreds if not thousands of city residents have been “legally” robbed.”
FaithActs for Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that does not endorse any candidate or party. Candidates’ views are presented for educational purposes only. Responses were limited to 75 words per question. Aside from editing for length, candidates’ responses are presented exactly as submitted.