CCDA - Join the movement along with HFHI

The CCDA vision is to see Christians and the ministries that they lead work effectively to bring the biblically informed philosophy of Christian Community Development to bear in under-resourced neighborhoods, resulting in flourishing neighborhoods for the glory of God!

I have been to 3 of their national conference which were inspirational and beneficial to our neighborhood work. The conference allowed us to connect with other ministries and agencies that do community development. We were able to also connect with some groups from our own community that were at the conference and begin to build significant partnerships.

This past year's conference was held in New Orleans and was attended by 2500 practitioners from around the country and world. It is also so refreshing to see such a diverse group representing many different cultures. While the conference is geared to urban revitalization it also has much to offer those working in rural settings as well.

Finally, it was wonderful to see HFHI represented and teaching a couple of workshops on NRI. I have not seen many affiliates represented at the conference in the past but am hoping we will begin to build a presence. This years conference is September 24-27 in Raleigh, NC and co-hosted by the Wake County Habitat affiliate. So if you can attend it would be a great way to make some new connections and help improve your affiliates impact.

For more information on the Christian Community Development Association and the 2014 National Conference click here: ccda.org

AmeriCorps Training Manual

We have 4 AmeriCorps who assist us on site with our ABWK projects. After they are trained, they lead some of our less extensive sites.

Our AmeriCorps are very valuable to the success of our program and have hired some of them as staff. Over the years, we have developed volunteer leadership and AmeriCorps training material.

Our Projects Supervisors have created an AmeriCorps Manual that is a helpful complement to our onsite AmeriCorps training they receive.

The AmeriCorps Training Manual includes: ABWK Introduction, scope of work, family selection, site and volunteer management, safety and site prep lists.

Here is the link to our AmeriCorps Manual: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B26IjoD-X4sSYTBtSFVJdjVQTUk/edit?usp=sharing

An Invitation to a Shared Learning Experience

There is nothing like sharing idea's with other affiliates about best practices and how to build capacity. I have had the privilege to share with a variety of affiliates on how to start ABWK in their communities.  Whether it's one on one with an ED, multiple calls and emails with affiliate staff, a conference workshop or an all day on site training with board and staff members, I love to exchange idea's on how to best serve families needing a decent place to live.

It's also amazing to see how affiliates have interpreted the philosophies and strategies of providing their communities with effective home (repair) restoration services.  Some of these strategies appear to be more effective than others depending on an affiliates objectives. Of course, whether you are looking to serve more families, utilize more volunteers, make a bigger community impact or integrate it as part of a strategy to build more homes, A Brush with Kindness can serve as an effective tool to grow your organization.

If you are ever in the Twin Cities area I invite you and your staff/board to come and view our program.  We have a highly skilled group of staff members who would be glad to spend time sharing how our program works and also give you an opportunity to come to one of our homes and participate in a project.

I would also love to come out to your affiliates to learn about what you're doing with your ABWK programs or hear about plans to start a program.

Pat Lund, A Brush with Kindness - Twin Cities, MN
plund@abwk.net
612-788-8169