A Pilgrimage to Share Urgent Lessons from Poverty Abolitionists
Bringing Poverty Abolitionists to Head Start
Yesterday I shared lessons from Poverty Abolitionists at the Fall Leadership Institute of the National Head Start Association (NHSA). Hundreds of Head Start teachers, aides, parents, and alumni are in Washington for training and advocacy visits to their members of Congress.
Head Start is an excellent program. It provides quality preschool and services to low-income children. Research has demonstrated that Head Start kids are more successful in school and life. The families of Head Start kids also benefit. For example, when Head Start helps a mother connect to a doctor and dentist for one of her children, the mom typically signs up the rest of the family too.
Bob Bissen, the senior director of government relations at NHSA, has become a friend. All the people I met at the Leadership Institute were committed and enthusiastic poverty abolitionists. Quite a few folks bought copies of Poverty Abolitionists.
Immanuel Church-on the Hill, Alexandria, Virginia
On Sunday I met with the adult forum at the parish church associated with Virginia Theological Seminary. Immanuel has strong programs of outreach, social justice, and creation care. The people who came to the forum expressed appreciation for what they learned. Some members of their social justice committee plan to connect with the Democracy Circle that meets at Christ Church in Alexandria.
Speaking on "The Urgency of Now" in Maine
In mid-September, my wife and I traveled to Portland, Maine, where I delivered an address, “The Urgency of Now,” at St. Luke's Cathedral . The senior warden, John Hennessey, and our friend Beth Franklin organized this opportunity, and the cathedral's new dean ,Carole Piland Morehead opened the event.
I spoke about the reversal of decades of progress against poverty, what it will take to restore that progress, and what people of faith can do now. Several people told me they would write checks to candidates in close races as a result of my talk.
I’m sure that President Trump, his administration, and allies across the country will try to interfere in the election certification processes that need to take place between November 3 and January 3, when the new Congress will be sworn in. I shared my concerns, sources for ongoing information, and ideas about how we can help protect the election results.
As a bonus on this trip, Janet and I enjoyed seeing Beth Franklin and her husband Mike. A highlight was hiking up a mountain together.
