ICARE

Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment

Mission

ICARE is a diverse, multi-issue congregation-based community organization representing 21 congregations from 11 denominations in Jacksonville, Florida. Together we powerfully address neighborhood and city-wide issues identified by our membership by holding key public and private institutions accountable, with special emphasis on the concerns facing low to moderate income communities.

Past Accomplishments

Education: ICARE worked with the School Board to implement the Foundations/ CHAMPS Behavior Strategy throughout the district. As of April 7, 2005 the school system has seen a reduction, from 2004, of Out of School Suspension by nearly 3,000 children or almost 26%. In School Suspensions were reduced by 22%. In addition to a focus on improving student behavior within the classroom ICARE also worked with 4 other faith-based organizations to obtain a $ 7.2 million state appropriation ($ 1.2 million for Duval County) supporting research-proven reading curriculums in low performing, core-city schools. Currently these reading strategies are implemented in 12 schools in Duval County with intentional effort to offer systematic and explicit instruction for ?at-risk? elementary students in historically low performing schools.

Transportation: In an effort to connect high unemployment neighborhoods with areas of local job growth, ICARE helped secure two $1million ?Reverse Commute? grants to assist the Jacksonville Transportation Authority in establishing a bus hub at the Gateway Mall, a concentrated area of newly expanded jobs.

Access to Health Care: In a collaborative effort with local businesses and nonprofit organizations, ICARE helped to secure a financial commitment of $2.5 million from the city of Jacksonville to address the issue of affordable health care. From this alliance came the passage of the two-year JaxCare Pilot Program, an affordable health care option that provides coverage for 1,600 uninsured workers and their families. ICARE also persuaded the city council to adopt/approve legislation entitling part-time/full-time city employees, those working 40 hours a week with no benefits, to full-time status with full benefits. This action has improved the living conditions of nearly 500 city employees and their families.

Neighborhood Improvements: Another important ICARE collaboration is with the Property Safety Division and the Mayor?s Office. The purpose of this alliance is to identify and address major safety concerns in our neighborhoods: abandoned houses, drainage/sewage problems, and inadequate street lighting. In May of 2005 ICARE identified 30 properties observed to be unsafe or harboring drug dealers. To date 5 have been demolished and 10 have been brought up to code

Year End Report

In April 2008, ICARE celebrated its largest Nehemiah Assembly with 955 ICARE leaders in attendance. The organization celebrated Duval County Public Schools efforts to develop an alternative to out-of-school suspensions. Currently, 55,000 students annually serve out-of-school suspensions without supervision or academic enrichment. Deputy Superintendent Pat Willis discussed the district's plans to create 5 regional centers for students serving suspensions and committed to implement the program in August of 2008.

Mayor Peyton also attended the assembly in response to ICARE's two year campaign to expand drug rehabilitation for current inmates. Mayor Peyton agreed to review all re-entry programs and consider expansion of programs demonstrating success. He will be meeting with ICARE leaders in July to discuss the details of planned expansion. ICARE is pressing the county to add an additional 165 beds, an increase of 1.3 million dollars for the current Matrix House program.

Current Membership

Arlington Congregational UCC
Asbury United Methodist
Central Metropolitan CME
Church of the Crucifixion Catholic
Greater Grant Memorial AME
Historic Mt. Zion AME
Most Holy Redeemer Catholic
Mt. Zion United Methodist
New Bethel AME Church
Peace Presbyterian
Resurrection Catholic Church
Riverside Baptist
Riverside Presbyterian
San Jose Catholic Church
St. George Episcopal
St. Johns Episcopal Cathedral
St. Matthew Catholic Parish
St. Paul AME
St. Phillips Episcopal Church
St. Pius V Catholic Church
Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville

Benefits to Membership

• Vehicle for people of faith to act powerfully for justice.
• establishment of strong relational networks within congregations.
• development of congregational leadership in areas of relationship building, strategic planning and fundraising.
• opportunity to work with other faith traditions.

Contact Info

Rob Sievert-Wagner-Lead Organizer
2650 Park St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 388-9181
fx (904) 388-9625
icarerob@bellsouth.net

Lauren Andreu-Associate Organizer
(904) 388-9402
icarelauren@gmail.com