A challenge we hear from Episcopalians in our diocese is the desire to welcome refugees and immigrants, but a lack of knowledge on how to do that. There are many ways that you can get involved as a parish, within … Continue Reading →
Beyond the City Streets: The Hidden Struggles of Rural Homelessness
Rural vs. Urban Experiences Homelessness, both rural and urban, affects communities across the state of Georgia. A recent Point-in-Time count found that more than 12,000 Georgians experienced homelessness. While this reflects a 37% decrease since 2007, much work remains to … Continue Reading →
Pet Ownership for People Experiencing Poverty
Pet Ownership Spectrum Pet ownership can be an incredibly rewarding for many people and families. Many people feel as though their pets are as much a part of their family as the humans are. Others feel that pets serve a … Continue Reading →
The Terrible Harm of the Death Penalty to Our Families and Communities
Acknowledging the Harm of the Death Penalty The Episcopal Church has formally acknowledged the harm of the death penalty since at least 1958. This opposition is based on New Testament precepts of the sanctity of life, the importance of forgiveness, … Continue Reading →
Guidelines to Sponsor Refugee Families
Becoming a Refugee Is Not Voluntary No matter where you look in the world, it’s easy to find unrest and chaos at work. Grief and suffering take a toll, whether they are a consequence of a natural or human-created disaster. … Continue Reading →
The Face of Homelessness
The Face of Homelessness I first became familiar with and learned about homelessness at my high school, a private Catholic high school located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Like many high schools, we had a requirement to complete community service hours. In … Continue Reading →
There is No Single Reason for Homelessness
Understanding Homelessness During my seminary studies at Candler School of Theology, I served as the summer chaplain at Crossroad Community Ministries. There I learned about the issue of homelessness; its causes, the impact is has on individuals and families, and … Continue Reading →
Human Trafficking in Higher Education
Far-Reaching Impact of Human Trafficking According to the DEA, “human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.” This sinister form of exploitation continues to cast its shadow over … Continue Reading →
Poverty is Cyclical: Building Resilience Against Generational Poverty
A Cycle of Poverty Generational poverty is a vicious cycle that impacts families for multiple generations. According to the Georgia Center for Opportunity, “intergenerational poverty (IGP) is described as poverty that persists from one generation to the next . . … Continue Reading →
Food Insecurity: What is it?
Food Insecurity You might have heard this phrase before, but do we really know what it means? Whatever image is conjured in our minds, there is probably more to it. According to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, food insecurity “refers … Continue Reading →