FAST

Faith and Action for Strength Together

Mission

As led by the Creator of all things, the mission of FAST is to engage people of diverse faiths in a process of listening, education, action, and reflection in order to powerfully address community issues in Pinellas County

The goal is to serve as agents of change, calling for a "renewed" community by holding public systems accountable to improve the quality of life for all in Pinellas County. To foster and promote community wide interest and concern for the problems of individuals and families, particularly low to moderate income, so that such issues as poverty, crime, sickness, housing, education, and environmental degradation may be lessened, and education and economic opportunities may be expanded.

Past Accomplishments

We have come together in two large public actions to press public officials to implement solutions to community problems. In 2005, we gathered over 1200 people. At this year�??s Nehemiah Assembly, we grew to over 1700 people. The issues we�??ve won are:

Education

• The director of the Pinellas Early Learning Coalition provided funds so all low-income children in Pinellas can attend a full-day pre-k program. Over 1300 4-year-olds have benefited from this program.
• The superintendent of Pinellas County Schools committed to implement a school-wide disciplinary program in 24 of our schools to reduce suspensions and increase learning.

Transportation

• The director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Pinellas County created a �??one-stop�?� hotline to help seniors get their transportation needs met.

Affordable Housing

• All seven of our county commissioners committed to create long-term affordable housing for low- to moderate-income families across the county by implementing several effective housing initiatives over the next year. So far, they have put $10 million in place for affordable housing.

Year End Report

FAST (Faith and Action for Strength Together) St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Lead Organizer: Haley Grossman
Associate Organizer: Leah Woodward

FAST was officially created in November of 2004 when 25 congregations became dues paying members of the organization committed to working on issues of injustice. Since then, the organization has expanded to include 29 local congregations. In the year 2005, 550 people came together to vote on the issues they wanted to work on for the rest of the year. Those issues included pre-K education, school discipline, senior transportation, and affordable housing.

During the winter, over 100 lay leaders participated in Action Committees to do research into root causes of these problems and to uncover winnable solutions. On March 20, 2006, FAST held its second Nehemiah Action Assembly with over 1,700 people in attendance. At this assembly public officials were present and made commitments regarding requests made by FAST.

In the past year alone, over 100 people were trained to hold house meetings, and over 200 people were in attendance at two "Rethinking Justice" workshops. During FAST's annual Support Drive, approximately 70 people were trained, at two training sessions, on how to raise money and over 50 visits were conducted with major corporations and CEOs in town.

THE ISSUES

Education
FAST leaders followed up on commitments made by Janet Chapman, the director of the Early Learning Coalition, to provide wrap-around-funds so that low-income working families and their children have access to a full-day of high quality, pre-kindergarten education. The initial program, funded by the state, provided just three hours of pre-K education a day through the UPK legislation.

Because of the work of FAST, 1300 low-income children in Pinellas County are now receiving a full day of high quality, pre-K education. In addition, Ms. Chapman has agreed to provide pre and post testing of the program to ensure its effectiveness. Also, two full time staff people have been hired to be sure that the program is made known to low-income, working families.

Senior Transportation
Another problem identified early on through one-on-one conversations, senior transportation, has become another FAST victory. Mr. Brian Smith, director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), has created a one-stop phone number system so that seniors can be connected with the appropriate transportation service. This one-number service will put seniors in touch with a live person, who will be able answer any questions and get them the transportation services they need.

Affordable Housing
In regards to affordable housing, FAST members got Pinellas' county commissioners to create an ordinance that will specify what percentage of the county's trust fund monies will go to what income levels. These amounts are to be determined by a needs assessment to be sure to provide money where it is most needed. In addition, FAST is working towards a mandatory inclusionary zoning provision to be included in the county's development plans.

Bus Stops
FAST leaders have also identified an unsafe bus stop that needed to be moved and 6 areas where bus shelters were needed for the elderly or young children riding the bus. The leaders are continuing to follow-up with Mr. Sweeny, director of the Pinellas Sun coast Transit Authority (PSTA), to be sure these bus stops are put in place.

Current Membership

Bayview Baptist Church
Bethel AME Church of Dunedin
Bethel Community Baptist Church
Chapel By-the-Sea Community Church
Christ Church of Universal Love
Episcopal Church of the Ascension
Espiritu Santo Catholic Church
Faith United Church of Christ
Good Samaritan Episcopal Church
Holy Cross Catholic Church
Holy Family Catholic Church
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Pasadena Community UMC
Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church
Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
Northeast Presbyterian Church
Reconciler Presbyterian Church
Riviera United Methodist Church
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church,
St. Alfred's Episcopal Church
St. Brendan Catholic Church
St. Cecelia Catholic Church
St. John's Episcopal Church
St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church
St. Matthew Catholic Church
Temple B'nai Israel
Mt. Olive AME Church
St. Paul's Lutheran Church

Benefits to Membership

FAST, as part of the DART Network, will involve congregations in a process of listening for unifying community concerns, focusing on the ones we feel we can do something about. Members of each congregation will research these issues, develop strategies to address them, and be part of large public actions to see that these strategies are implemented by decision makers

How Does A Congregation Participate?

Clergy begin building relationships with clergy from other congregations through Clergy Caucus meetings. The congregation signs the covenant agreement committing to support the mission of F.A.S.T. The congregation supports the organization financially. Dues are based on an equitable formula. The congregations develop leadership teams within the congregation to listen for local concerns and, using tested criteria, select issues and develop action strategies that will positively affect the quality of life in Pinellas County.

Contact Info

FAST
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 10421
St. Petersburg, Fl 33733

Lead Organizer: Haley Grossman
Phone: 727-823-9197
Assc. Organizer: Leah Woodward
Phone: 727-524-3303
Assc. Organizer: Percy Peralta
Admin. Assistant: Eva Cirlingione
E-mail: doingjustice@verizon.net