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Through the storm and beyond…
The unparalleled devastation left in the wake of the 2005 hurricane season served as a wake-up call to the entire nation and particularly to the African American community.
We returned to our roots and clung more fiercely to our faith. Without hesitation, we gave from our hearts — we offered our dollars, our homes and hospitality and our prayers.
As has always been the case, the Black church took the leadership role in mobilizing our communities. The storm brought out the best in us and it reminded us of some traditional and immutable truths.
While the news media urged citizens to give to secular charities and to nonprofit funds controlled by other denominations, nonprofit funds run by African American churches and denominations were not included.
Relief efforts by the Black church were not recognized or supported to the same extent as efforts by other groups.
The Faith United Action Initiative has been established to provide a unifying support network for Black faith-based efforts and to remind donors that their gifts — those payroll deductions that most employers encourage during annual campaigns — can be targeted specifically to charities that support programs to benefit the Black community.
No single church or denomination can reach all of those who need help. The mission of the National Black United Fund Faith United Action Initiative is to fill in the gaps through program development, community education and strategic communication.
- NBUF will serve as the communications hub and liaison between the federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, the national media and the church.
- The Initiative also has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to provide disaster preparedness information and training to the Black community via the church.
- The partnership includes preparation for natural emergencies -- such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wild fires, floods, ice storms and blizzards – as well as for such occurrences as individual house fires, chemical contamination, and terrorist activity.
- Information in printed and electronic format will be available at national denominational and regional conventions and conferences. The Initiative will provide updates electronically to the denominational headquarters for further distribution to individual churches.
- NBUF also is working with the American Red Cross to offer CPR, first aid and disaster services training to churches. The training can be scheduled during regular conventions and conferences.
- The Initiative will work with denominations to establish sheltering agreements with the various support agencies to provide seamless cooperation in the event of a large-scale disaster.
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