Jacksonville Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment (ICARE) is a coalition of 40 congregations in Jacksonville that work together to address community problems. These include homelessness, youth crime, education, jobs, and mental health.
There will be an ICARE meeting on Thursday, October 16 at 7pm in the Middle School room. Members of the BBUUC community will be able to ask questions and learn more about how to become involved with ICARE.
ICARE has a few different ways people can become involved. Everyone is encouraged to attend the annual Nehemiah Assembly. Even though it is only one night a year, it is valuable for ICARE to inform the community about important issues and to measure its reach within the community.
In addition to encouraging attendance at the Nehemiah Assembly, BBUUC will form a Justice Ministry Team for people who want to become even more involved. Members of the Justice Ministry Team would listen to community issues and concerns felt within our congregation and would attend three additional ICARE meetings.
People can also join a Research Team. Research Teams investigate how other cities have handled particular problems to identify solutions that could apply to Jacksonville. This year, research teams investigated the handling of youth crime, reading programs, mental health services, and job growth in northwest Jacksonville.
More information is available on the Social Action Committee page on the bbuuc.org web site, or from social_action@bbuuc.org.