Take Action Now - Here are suggested things you can do now to help further the causes on TIAR’s action agenda. For those items asking you to contact a state official, contact information is found at the bottom of this page.
At it’s September 17, 2009 Board Meeting, TIAR adopted the following resolution supporting a single-payer insurance system for health care, but if such is not yet possible, at least providing a strong public option. The resolution appears below and please note the third “Resolved”, namely to ask all of you to call upon your Congressional representatives and the White House to enact and sign into law such legislation.
A Resolution on Health Care Reform
Adopted at TIAR Board Meeting on September 17, 2009
The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester (TIAR)—an organization composed of members of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and other faith communities—recognizes the injustice of nearly 50 million Americans without access to health care. We believe that this is a moral issue. We share the belief that each human being is sacred and possesses God-given inalienable worth. Health care is an essential component in promoting and protecting the inherent dignity and life of all individuals across their life spans. Moreover, should all people in the United States be provided with access to adequate and affordable health care, the well being of the entire society would vastly improve. Costs for universal coverage must of course be managed in such a way to further the common good. Providing health care should be a nonprofit endeavor. Therefore, be it
Resolved, that TIAR endorse “single payer,” currently detailed in H.R. 676, as the best possible plan in which the sole insurer would be the government much like the current successfully-run Medicare program and paid for through a modest progressive taxation system; and be it further
Resolved, that, until a single-payer universal health care program is established, TIAR support legislation that would provide a strong “public option” for people who cannot afford to buy insurance without some assistance from the government and that would guarantee a high level of quality care; and be it further
Resolved, that TIAR urge residents in the Greater Rochester Area to call upon their Congressional legislators to enact, and the President to sign, legislation by the end of 2009 providing adequate health care and insurance coverage for everyone in the United States.
On October 15, 2009, the City of Rochester will be hosting a 1-day opportunity at the War Memorial at which homeless persons can be connected directly with the services they need through representatives of the various service agencies that will be present. Volunteers are needed for a variety of activities such as greeting those seeking services and leading them to the appropriate service provider(s). More information on the program and a complete list of volunteer opportunities may be found on the web site, www.homelessconnectrochester.org.
IAR supports the Citizens for a Better New York in their efforts to reform state government, including the public financing of election campaigns which is also an issue at the federal level. Go to the following web site for more information on this important issue and guidance on urging your Congressperson and Senators to add their support. http://www.campaignmoney.org/campaigns/main/make-fair-elections-a-priority
In these hard economic times, it's more important than ever to stand with low-wage workers and families. Let Justice Roll has new resources with the information and talking points you need to make the case for why raising the minimum wage is good for workers, business, communities and the economy:
Raising the Minimum Wage in Hard Times
Policy Points: Raise the Minimum Wage to $10 in 2010 .
The newly updated Resources for Living Wage Worship Services and Community Events is a comprehensive tool kit with a Living Wage Action Flyer, Steps for organizing a living wage service or community event; Minimum wage backgrounders; Sign on Statements for $10 in 2010 minimum wage; Handouts from various faith traditions; Working Family and Business Voices; Youth activity; Sample Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor; and much more.
Action: Sign and promote the Faith Leader Letter to Congress for $10 in 2010 federal minimum wage. Our 2007 letter to Congress, signed by faith leaders across the country, helped win the first minimum wage increase in a decade. With your support, our new letter to Congress will have thousands of signatures, representing every congressional district. Please interpret faith leader broadly to include Reverend, Rabbi, Imam, Director of faith-based program, Religious Social Action Committee Chair, and so on.
Action: If you are not a faith leader, please sign here to support $10 in 2010.
If you have any questions or want to help promote the letter to Congress, please contact Karen Spradlin, kspradlin@letjusticeroll.org or phone 405-213-3282.
People leaving prison are without even basic necessities, and about half have no family to assist them. (See “Monroe County Re-entry Task Force” below) Please consider donating “welcome” kits for men (and some women). This can be a great project for a church group, scout troop or school community service project. Kits can contain items like toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, disposable razor, lotion, socks, washcloth, underwear, pocket calendar book, pen, a personal note to encourage—or whatever your imagination inspires. To receive information on how to prepare a Welcome Kit, contact Paul Brayer at brayerpm@frontiernet.net
Resource materials for use in educating groups on the reentry of prisoners back into our communities are available from the Diocese of Rochester. They are useful for panel discussions, prayer, bulletin inserts, book clubs, adult education, preaching, etc. and may be found at the following web site: http://www.dor.org/charities/dioprograms/Prodigal.htm
In response to the catastrophic death and destruction caused by the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti on January 12, the Interfaith Alliance of Rochester (TIAR) has contributed $1,000—one-third of its budget—to Partners in Health (PIH), an organization that has been working in Haiti for over twenty years.
Founded by Dr. Paul Farmer in 1987, PIH provides modern medical care to poor communities in several countries, including Haiti. Their mission is “to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care.” Although PIH is a secular organization not affiliated with or espousing any particular religious ideology, they find the concept of “a preferential option” to be a powerful moral imperative. The concept stems from Catholic social teaching that signifies a special concern for distributive justice for poor and vulnerable persons.
Those of us in the First World, blessed by abundance, are called to share generously, out of love for all people, with the victims of the recent earthquake, which Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has designated as the worst disaster in the history of the United Nations. The poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and already devastated by four consecutive hurricanes and tropical storms, Haiti has experienced two centuries of systematic oppression and exploitation by Western powers, including the United States, well before this earthquake struck.
Rather than blame the Haitian victims of this natural disaster, as conservative televangelist Pat Robertson has done, TIAR’s faith traditions—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and others—call us to “seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1.17), to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22.39), and to “spend out of what you have been given for the love of God in support . . . of the needy, of the homeless, of those who must beg” (Qur’an—Surah 2.177).
Today, we of TIAR give out of what we have been given to the people of Haiti who continue to suffer unimaginable horrors. We humbly offer this gift in the name of God, most merciful and compassionate.
Since completing the Poverty Video some years ago, the TIAR Poverty Task Force has been considering its next steps. This is now moving to the next phase as the Task Force will be the core educational component for “Let Justice Roll”, the major interfaith anti-poverty effort now coming together in the Rochester area. Many TIAR persons have been involved in shaping Let Justice Roll, which will be carrying out a five-point program under the acronym “CLEAR”
Communicate
Link
Educate
Advocate
Respond
Because of the availability of TIAR’s Poverty Video and workbooks, it was natural for Let Justice Roll to turn to TIAR to use these resources in carrying out a program to educate the general public, including religious groups, about the problems of poverty in the Rochester area and ways to get involved in addressing it.
Ed Lemon has agreed to chair the education team of our reconstituted Task Force to take on this task. He has several volunteers who are now acquainting themselves with the video (now a DVD) and other resources, and are preparing themselves to become a cadre of speakers. However, an effort like this needs audiences to hear the message and be motivated to take action.
The TIAR- Let Justice Roll collaboration is offering to any community group the opportunity to schedule an informative and enlightening presentation on poverty issues in Rochester. This free program is composed of the 28-minute DVD, "The Faces of Poverty: Not Just Faces, But Our Neighbors." It puts real faces on poverty, and is accompanied by a knowledgeable group discussion leader. Appropriate handouts will be available including a list of Volunteer Opportunities to provide suggestions for involvement.
The purpose of the presentation (one hour with discussion) is to help educate the community about the realities of poverty in Monroe County, raising such questions as, “If you had a sudden large unexpected expense next month, and your funds could not cover all the needs for housing, transportation, child care, health care, food, and clothing, where would you turn? Which would you choose to do without?”
Anyone interested in participating in this effort – whether a member of TIAR or not, or whether as a trained presenter or to schedule a presentation – is welcome to contact Ed Lemon at elemon@rochester.rr.com
“Blasting through obstacles.”
Here in Monroe County, more than 2,500 people are released from incarceration every year. Without help, about two-thirds of them will return to prison within three years, at a cost of about $35,000 a year per person; prison, for most people, is an expensive and ineffective deterrent to crime.
What’s this got to do with you? Maybe more than you think. In the U.S., we incarcerate people at about eight times the world average—in our country, more than 2 million people are in state prison, 70,000 in New York alone, and that doesn’t include county jails or federal holding centers. Most people are incarcerated for non-violent offenses. It is very likely that someone close to you will be touched by the corrections system. Of everyone who goes to prison about 97% return home, regardless of their crime. At that point, the community ex-offenders return to has a vested interest in each releasee’s success.
A safe, stable place to live, food, health care, and jobs are just the beginning. The most important gift we can give them is hope, a reason to live and the sure knowledge that they have what they need to overcome the past and find their true future. And success does happen! The result: lower crime rates, safer neighborhoods, healthier families, and lower costs for all of us.
For more information, please contact:
Ann Graham
Coordinator
Monroe County Reentry Task Force
Catholic Family Center
87 N. Clinton Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604
585-262-7163
agraham@cfcrochester.org
The Monroe County Reentry Task Force is a program funded in nine counties across New York by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, Monroe County, and Catholic Family Center. It represents an unprecedented level of cooperation between corrections, law enforcement, service providers and faith-based groups to enhance the safety of our community by working together to stabilize the lives of people leaving prison and giving them the tools and support they need to succeed.
The annual "Fair Election Campaign" ceremony sponsored by TIAR and the League of Women Voters took place at the Monroe County Office Atrium on September 9, 2009, and was covered by Channel 10. 150 candidates signed the Fair Election Campaign Pledge this year. Literature and ads covering important local matters about budget priorities, policies on education, community safety, road maintenance, parks, etc. are what brings citizens out to vote. Each year the LWV / BMA and TIAR encourage all voters to go to the polls. Negative campaigns discourage citizens from voting; positive campaigns educate people about choices among candidates and makes all of us feel empowered with our vote.
The Fair Election Campaign Pledge later received 2 additional signers. The Committee had a very busy but worthwhile season. The purpose of the FEPC is to encourage positive campaigning and to keep the focus of the election on the issues. There were a total of 26 complaints received with 20 of them having a hearing. There were 3 primary election complaints and 17 general election complaints heard by the Committee.
Many, many thanks go to the Committee members: Sarah F. Liebshutz (Chairperson), John G. Curran, Margaret Freeman, Thomas Frey, Channing Philbrick, and alternates Lois Geiss, William Kelly, Joanne Van Zandt, and Kay Wallace.
TIAR has supported the efforts of the Coalition for Dignified Burial to give all people - no matter what creed, color, sex or financial situation - access to a simple, decent and respectful funeral.
Background
On March 1, 2006, Monroe County changed its policy of allotting an average of $1,850 for the funeral and burial of indigent persons, cutting it to an average of $1,250. This lower amount does not cover even a minimal burial, but only cremation.
For some people, cremation is not a problem; however, for others it is a violation of their religious or ethnic traditions.
With representation from faith communities, social agencies, and the community at large, the Coalition for Dignified Burial has worked since April 2006 with county officials to resolve the issue.
Ms. Shirl Clark is serving as a Burial Assistance Associate to process requests for supplemental funeral grants by persons who qualify for assistance from the county Department of Human Services. Contact information: phone: 585-753-6986, fax: 753-6602; email: sclark@monroecounty.gov
The Coalition has also succeeded in securing further assistance from the local newspaper: a one-day, six-line death notice at no charge to persons qualified by the county Department of Human Services.
An Unexpected Gift
In December, 2006, a donation was made to TIAR from the proceeds of a concert by a musical artist as a special memorial to her deceased father. Her gift was a most creative way of memorializing him, and we are blessed to have people like her making a difference in our troubled world. It was a great honor for us to be entrusted with it; however, TIAR has since used all the funds to assist persons in need, and so is not currently accepting requests; these should be made to the Burial Assistance Associate as noted above.
The Coalition for a Dignified Burial continues to monitor the program and includes members from The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester, the House of Mercy, Catholic Family Center of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality, Peace Baptist Church, Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church, and community representatives-at-large.Immigration forums on various aspects of the immigration problems are being planned. As the 2008 U.S. election campaigns continue, we see immigration coming to the fore as a key issue. We also see increasing anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from national and local groups.
A helpful website that can offer clues about the hate language
and where it comes from: http://www.wecanstopthehate.org/
Check it out-it's really good!
Sr. Gratia’s comment from a Christian perspective:
If Jesus Christ came back tomorrow in the Second Coming, would we want to label him an undocumented immigrant and arrest, imprison, torture, deport, or execute him (as he was in the First Coming)?
Poverty / Economic Justice
1 DVD Education Sessions (in cooperation with Let Justice Roll): See above for description. For scheduling, contact Ed Lemon.
2 Burial of those without resources
3 Rochester Children’s Zone Proposal (Glenny Williams) / Children’s Agenda
4 Economic Justice: Hotel Workers Union Organizing
5 Judicial Process Commission’s Re-Entry Case Management Project for released offenders / Adult Mentoring Program – See above
National / State / Local Government
1 Fair Campaign Pledge (local / NYS)
2 Local Legislative Forums (in collaboration with GRCC)
3 Citizens for Better Government (NYS)
a. Campaign finance reform – public financing of campaigns
b Redistricting by independent non-partisan committee
c Legislature rules reform
4 Immigration Forums (in collaboration with Downtown Community Forum)
5 Voting with Wisdom and Clear Vision – a program on preparation for voter responsibilities
6 TIA National
a First Freedom First Petition
b Voting Rights Act (lack of federal enforcement)
Peace / Non-Violence
Area being coordinated by Heide Parreno and Marilyn Wienk. Following TIAR’s adoption of a Peace Resolution at its November, 2007 meeting, the group is now considering appropriate follow-up activities.
Health Care
Area seeking a coordinater; no specific TIAR projects going on in this area at this time.
Hon David A. Paterson, Governor
Executive Chamber, State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
www.ny.gov/governor
Your State Senator
Michael F. Nozzolio
119 Fall Street
Seneca Falls, New York 13148
888-568-9816 fax 315-568-2090
or
409 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2366 fax 518-426-6953
nozzolio@senate.state.ny.us
James S. Alesi
220 Packett?s Landing
Fairport, New York 14450
223-1800 fax 223-3084
or
905 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2015 fax 518-426-6928
alesi@senate.state.ny.us
Joseph Robach
2300 West Ridge Rd.
Rochester, New York 14626
225-3650 fax 225-3661
or
902 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2909 fax 18-426-6938
robach@senate.state.ny.us
George D. Maziarz
2578 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Wheatfield, New York 14304
716-731-8740 fax 716-731-8746
or
811 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2024 fax 518-426-6987
maziarz@senate.state.ny.us
Your Member of the Assembly:
Joseph Errigo
3045 East Henrietta Rd.
Henrietta, New York 14467
334-5210 fax 334-5437
or
427 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5662 fax 518-455-5918
errigoj@assembly.state.ny.us
Susan John
840 University Ave.
Rochester, New York 14607
244-5255 fax 244-1635
or
522 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4527 fax 518-455-5342
johns@assembly.state.ny.us
Joseph D. Morelle
1945 East Ridge Road
Rochester, NY 14622
585-467-0410 fax 585-467-5342
or
716 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5373 fax 518-455-5647
morellj@assembly.state.ny.us
David F. Gantt
74 University Avenue
Rochester, New York 14605
585-454-3670 fax 585-454-3788
or
830 Legislative Office Bldg.
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5606 fax 518-455-5419
ganttd@aseembly.state.ny.us
William Reilich
2737 West Ridge Road
Rochester, New York 14626
585-225-4190 fax 225-6502
or
322 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4664 fax 518-455-3093
reilichw@assembly.state.ny.us
David Koon
268 Fairport Village Landing
Fairport, New York 14450
585-223-9130 fax 223-5243
or
643 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5784 fax 518-455-4639
koond@assembly.state.ny.us
Stephen M. Hawley
121 North Main Street Suite 100
Albion, New York 14411
585-589-5780 fax 585-589-5813
or
433 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5811 fax 518-455-5558
hawleys@assembly.state.ny.us
We are committed to an inclusive democratic process based upon the mutual responsibility of public officials, public institutions, and the general public. It requires honest and civility through open discussion of issues and full participation open to all citizens.
We work towards a public good that offers dignity and wholeness to all people. This includes a quality public education, a sustainable environment, a living wage, comprehensive health care, adequate housing, and a voice for people of faith in the political arena that respects the First Amendment.
As a growing and diverse interfaith community, we bring a constructive and healing witness to public and political life in the Greater Rochester community. The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester is one of many local alliances in a national coalition of people of faith.
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