Partnerships Blog

  • Building Resilience with Diverse Communities

    Posted by Joshua Dubois on January 11, 2010 at 4:20 PM EST

    In collaboration with both state and national partners, the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives recently met with leaders in Miami, FL to rollout a project to prepare diverse populations for disaster.  As this project is implemented, it will explore the best ways these populations’ assets can make their community more resilient from any form of disaster.

    Rev. Dr. Randy G. Vaughn, director of the Office of Disaster Management of the National Baptist’s Convention, USA, Inc. was one of the more than 85 people attending the event. “I commend DHS for giving leadership to Building Resilience with Diverse Communities and for selecting Miami/Dade as the place for such a study. Engaging faith communities and other diverse communities with government will provide unheard voices the opportunity to speak and be recognized in helping to alleviate problems experienced by underserved communities in disasters and other catastrophic events,” said Rev. Vaughn.

    Disaster Partnerships in Miami

    Rev. David L. Myers, Director of the DHS Center for Faith Based and Community Initiatives, and Rev. Dr. Randy Vaughn, Director of Disaster Management at the National Baptist Convention, USA, confer at kick-off event in Miami.

    Often, diverse communities are the most vulnerable and the least able to bounce back quickly and healthily.  To make real progress in building disaster resilience in communities, there must be improvements in how stakeholders are engaged. That means reaching out to communities who need the most support and to the people who know how to make that support work. Individuals in need of additional assistance may include, but are not limited to, those who have disabilities or disadvantaged in terms of transportation.

    The project will be implemented in three phases:

    1. Engage selected communities in Miami-Dade County to assess strengths, assets, barriers and challenges that faith-based and community groups encounter as they assist diverse populations;
    2. Research and conduct an analysis of the social networks in these communities; and
    3. Develop a replicable model (or “how-to toolkit”) that faith-based and community organizations can use to strengthen their ability to serve diverse populations.

    “Many of the groups we’re reaching out to are already serving their constituencies,” says Dr. Jannah Scott, Deputy Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. “But with the proper training and coordination with local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and state and local emergency management and public safety officials, they can be an even greater asset.”

    The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in May 2010.

    Joshua DuBois is the Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

  • Introducing Cedric Grant

    Posted by Joshua DuBois on January 5, 2010 at 5:31 PM EST

    Cedric Grant

    The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships coordinates Centers across government that engage faith-based and neighborhood organizations. I’d like to introduce you to the directors of those Centers and have them share a bit about their important work with the White House Office. Today's profile is of Cedric Grant, the director of our Center at the Department of Commerce.

    Cedric, tell us a little about yourself.

    In 2009, I was appointed as the Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Commerce. In this role, my job is to forge and enhance partnerships with community and faith-based organizations on policy areas such as community economic development, Census, the Recovery Act and minority business development.  Prior to the joining the Department of Commerce, I began my work in government in the office of Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee serving as the Democratic Leadership Liaison and Policy Advisor.  I attended Howard University, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in Business Finance and earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Additionally, I studied Public Policy at the School of International & Public Affairs at Columbia University.  I live in Washington, D.C. with my wife, Riche Holmes Grant.

    What are some of the highlights of your work at our faith/neighborhood Center at the Department of Commerce?

    Our most sizable contribution to date is our outreach efforts for the 2010 Census. Clergy are the most trusted voices in communities and are great advocates to bring awareness and participation in the 2010 Census. Community leaders, both faith-based and secular, know their communities intimately and service hard- to- count populations through their various programs. For these reasons, the faith-based community and neighborhood organizations are vital to ensure a complete count next year.

    To engage the community in that role, we have travelled across the country with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke sponsoring community round table discussions on the U. S. Census Bureau and making sure everyone is counted. Meetings with these groups have led to the establishment of Interfaith Complete Count Committee Working Groups in targeted cities that performed below the national average in the 2000 Census.  These working groups are effective at reaching populations that are the hardest to sample because of social, cultural or other barriers.

    What are a few of your hobbies and personal interests?

    In my spare time, I enjoy spending it with my wife, Riche, discovering new restaurant venues and other hidden treasures in the DC area. Also, I take pleasure in  trying new recipes of which Riche is always suspect to eat, but I’m actually improving with time… at least I think so.

  • White House Co-sponsors Regional Fatherhood Forum With Attorney General Holder

    Posted by Joshua Dubois on December 22, 2009 at 6:25 PM EST

    Last week, the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the Department of Justice co-hosted an exciting Fatherhood Forum at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. This was the latest stop in President Obama’s National Conversation on Responsible Fatherhood. 

    The day’s events began with a community roundtable with local policymakers, fatherhood organizations and community leaders focused on the intersection of fatherhood and criminal justice issues.  This event allowed key faith and community to engage in discussions with our nation’s leading policymakers.  . The discussion topics for the breakout sessions included:

    • The connection between fatherhood and reentry programs,
    • Supporting families with incarcerated parents,
    • Child support and family courts,
    • Coordination between law enforcement and fatherhood programs, and
    • The intersection of fatherhood and domestic violence.

    Through these breakouts, key leaders from the White House heard and learned from individuals on the ground who work on these issues every day. We heard about the obstacles facing fathers who are in prison and have trouble staying connected to their children.  We learned about the important intersection of fatherhood programs and domestic violence programs.  And while there was a tremendous amount of information to take back to Washington, community leaders spent equal time identifying innovative ways to support and encourage each other as they support families and work with dads who are reentering society from incarceration. 

    In the evening, we hosted a public forum featuring the Attorney General Eric Holder, basketball all-star Allan Houston and other key leaders.  The Attorney General addressed many challenges facing communities across the country, pointing out that over 1.5 million American children have fathers in prison. The Department of Justice has led the way in supporting families with incarcerated parents and encouraging responsible ex-offender reentry. 

    The Attorney General emphasized that being involved in lives of his own children was a challenging task that required going the extra mile, pushing through the challenges of a busy schedule to make time and energy available to engage his three children.  He and Allan Houston agreed that just as it is necessary to push yourself when training in any new skill or sport, being involved in the life of children takes added commitment to go the extra mile.

    The President’s National Conversation on Fatherhood is intended to address the challenge of father absence in many communities by encouraging personal responsibility among dads across the country and assessing how we can all work together – individuals, community and faith-based organizations, and the government – to strengthen families and support father involvement. 

    Joshua DuBois is the Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

    Learn more about Family

  • USDA Faith/Neighborhood Center Participates in Texas Hunger Initiative

    Posted by Joshua DuBois on December 11, 2009 at 11:14 AM EST

    In an impressive display of partnership in action, the Baptist General Convention of Texas teamed up with Baylor University, the Texas Association of Food Banks, the US Department of Agriculture and others to launch the Texas Hunger Initiative.  Inspired by President Obama’s pledge to end childhood hunger in the United States by 2015, they have set the same goal for all residents of the Lone Star State.  The Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and Max Finberg, our Director at USDA, were leading partners in this effort. 

    Pastors and students, activists and social workers all came together to commit themselves to help feed the hungry.  Amidst the Christmas decorations on Baylor’s campus in Waco, 250 people from throughout the state heard about the ways they can help feed the “least of these” in our society.  Among all attendees, there was a clear recognition that ending childhood hunger in Texas by 2015 is a huge task that will require stakeholders from throughout the government, non-profit, and private sectors working together in new and innovative ways.

    Texas Hunger Initiative

    Mr. Ayub Badat, Executive Director of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Relief, joined the predominantly Christian gathering. He met with Rev. Dr. David Lowrie, President, and Mr. Randel Everett, Executive Director, of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Max Finberg, and Rev. Elmo Johnson, Pastor of the Rose of Sharon Baptist Church.

    As one important step towards ending childhood hunger in Texas, Texas Commissioner for Agriculture Tom Staples issued a challenge to those gathered to increase participation in the Summer Food Service Program.  Churches, mosques, synagogues, youth programs like Boys and Girls clubs, schools and other organizations can all host programs.  Nationwide, more than 19 million children get free or reduced price meals during the year, but only 2.2 million receive them during the summer.  This is a great opportunity for groups, both faith-based and local secular groups, to feed kids during their regular summer activities.  For more information on how to prepare to start doing just that this upcoming summer, take a look at the relevant part of the United We Serve: Feed A Neighbor toolkit.

    Feeding one’s neighbor is a tenet of all major faiths.  Fighting hunger is a common cause that can unite people from all different backgrounds.  As President Obama stated before Thanksgiving, “Hunger is a problem that we can solve together.”  The Texas Hunger Initiative is a great example of putting that call into action.

    Joshua DuBois is the Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

  • Introducing David Myers

    Posted by Joshua DuBois on December 7, 2009 at 10:25 AM EST

    Paul Volcker

    The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships coordinates Centers across government that engage faith-based and neighborhood organizations.  In the coming days, I’d like to introduce you to the directors of those Centers and have them share a bit about their important work with the White House Office. The first profile is of David Myers, the director of our Center at the Department of Homeland Security. 

    David, tell us a little about yourself.

    Prior to my appointment as the director of the Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith Based and Community Initiatives, I led faith communities and community-based organizations for 26 years, mostly in Chicago. I am the father of two adult children and am engaged to be married to Kathleen of Evanston, Ill. I am a graduate of Portland State University (B.S.) and Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries (M.Div.), and am an ordained Mennonite minister. I also happen to be a die-hard White Sox fan. Go Sox!

    Can you share a few of the highlights of the work of the Center at DHS?

    We have been working on five initiatives, endeavoring to:

    1. Foster collaborative relationships between America’s diverse faith traditions by exploring opportunities to foster preparedness and appropriate responses to disasters.
    2. Transform DHS’ image with faith-based and community groups by participating in DHS policy and practice review and formation that impact faith based groups.
    3. Strengthen and develop government partnerships with FBCOs by conducting “listening visits” and holding preparedness workshops around the country.
    4. Empower faith-based and community organizations that want to help in a disaster but are not linked to the formal national, state, and local networks, by developing a comprehensive pilot training model.
    5. Herald the partnership stories that already exist between government and faith-based and community groups through presentations in multiple formats.

    What are you most excited about in your role as Center Director at your agency?

    I am thrilled to be part of the President’s team. At a part of that team, I am excited to have a direct and positive impact on individuals, families, and communities through preparedness partnerships with America’s diverse faith-based communities and neighborhood leaders. 

    What are some of your personal interests and/or hobbies?

    I love to take walks with my family. I play golf with long-time buddies, read novels and newspapers, and write not quite publishable poetry.

  • Advisory Council Conference Call on December 15th

    Posted by Joshua DuBois on December 1, 2009 at 6:07 PM EST

    The President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships will host its next full conference call on December 15th.  The draft agenda for the call is below, and will be updated as more information is available:

    • Welcome
    • Discussion of Taskforce Reports
    • Votes on Final Taskforce Reports
    • Discussion of Next In-Person Council Meeting
    • Closing

    For more information, just email whpartnerships@who.eop.gov

    Joshua DuBois is the Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

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