LEAD

Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton

Mission

The mission of Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton (L.E.A.D.) is to build a strong, grassroots community organization, dedicated to empowering and preparing people of faith to work for a greater degree of justice in Montgomery County.

Past Accomplishments

EDUCATION
LEAD continues to monitor and track the progress of reading scores in the Dayton Public Schools. Additionally, the organization is working to expand the use of the DIBELS Assessment system in to the next 5 lowest performing Dayton Public Schools by August 2007.

HOUSING
LEAD is currently working with the City Commission to implement a housing ordinance that seeks to raise the housing stock up to code before being sold.

YOUTH
LEAD worked with City Commission to push for the hiring of a Youth Coordinator by May 2006. LEAD is very excited to be working with Dr. Gregory and the City of Dayton to improve youth programming here in the Greater Dayton Area!

CRIME
LEAD joined the Extra Eyes Program that allows citizens to report criminal activity observed in their community to the police department

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Due to LEAD's efforts, the city of Dayton removed 200 deteriorating structures in 2005

Year End Report

• Met our goal of increasing our numbers by adding three Catholic parishes, one neighborhood group, and one additional Catholic parish will be joining at our next major assembly
• Conducted a September one-half day training for 98 people from 13 new congregations and 4 older congregations where we are deepening involvement
• Increased our turnout to our Nehemiah Action from a little over 400 in 2005 to 600 people in attendance on October 16, 2006
• Monitored and won the following issue victories: (a) A Dayton Youth Commissioner was hired on June 15, has met with LEAD quarterly, and spoke to our membership at our Rally in September; (b) Four Dayton City Commissioners publicly agreed to implement a Point of Sale Housing Ordinance; (c) The Dayton Public Schools Superintendent agreed to expand our suggested reading assessment program into five additional poorly performing schools; and (d) In June, the Dayton Police Department followed through on its commitment by training 22 people to be the Extra Eyes point people in their congregations.
• Raised over $20,000, our largest amount ever, through our annual Support Drive

Current Membership

• Al Mustaqeem Islamic Center
• Bethel Baptist Church
• Christ Episcopal Church
• College Hill Presbyterian Church
• Congregation for Reconciliation UCC
• Fairhaven Church
• Fairview United Methodist Church
• First Baptist Church Downtown
• First United Methodist Church
• Macedonia Missionary Baptist
• Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church
• Precious Blood Catholic Church
• St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
• St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church
• Wesley Community Center
• United Missionary Baptist Church
• Zion Baptist Church

Benefits to Membership

• Enables clergy, members, and neighbors of congregations to effectively act on their convictions to improve the systems impacting the quality of peoples lives.
• Involvement in winning long-term changes on specific community problems.
• Development of leadership skills.
• Strengthens relationships among congregants and with members of other congregations in the county.
• Enables members to publicly engage decision makers in the community.
• Develops relationships across racial and economic boundaries, by working side-by-side with diverse multi-cultural and interfaith communities throughout the county.

Contact Info

Nikki Duis
Lead Organizer
20 W. First St.
Dayton, OH 45402
neduis@hotmail.com
(w) 937-274-5533
(f) 937-223-2416