RISC

Richmonders Involved in Strengthening our Communities

Mission

The mission of Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities (RISC) is to bring together diverse congregations in order to powerfully address the root causes of poverty and injustice in the Greater Richmond area. RISC’s member congregations are located throughout the Greater Richmond area and are diverse in their socio-economic, racial, denominational and geographic backgrounds. Congregations in RISC work together to build relationships, listen to common concerns, research community problems, and then to take action to see that systems in the community are held accountable to principles of justice and fairness.
Through coming together we build our power and ability to successfully live out God’s call found in the words of Micah 6:8 and the words of Jesus in Matthew 23:23. The scripture states what is required of people of faith, “to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (faithfulness). RISC is an organization that focuses on congregations partnering together in the arena of justice ministry. The model for action that RISC will use is found in the story of Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem in Nehemiah, chapter five.

Year End Report

In 2007, RISC made some strong strides. In September of 2007, 150 people from 13 congregations came together for a Rethinking Justice Workshop to examine our call as people of faith to do justice ministry. Three new congregations joined RISC as a result of this process. In November 2007, 200 RISC Justice Ministry Network members gathered for the Annual Assembly and voted to work on drugs and crime and healthcare.

RISC’s research phase began with 75 people at our Issues Kickoff. In the area of drugs and crime, RISC leaders found out that 80% of the inmates at the Richmond City Jail have substance abuse issues and that recidivism rate for our City Jail is 77%, meaning that 7 out of 10 inmates who leave the jail will return. In looking at best practices, we found that other communities have instituted evidence based substance abuse treatment programs with recidivism rates near 20% and an estimated tax payer savings of $65,000 for each inmate who completes the program. In the area of healthcare, RISC leaders found that 57,000 individuals in the Greater Richmond area are uninsured and making less than 200% of the FPL (about 42,000 for a family of 4). Over 104 million dollars in state and federal funds are allocated to care for the uninsured. However, less than 2% of these funds are used for primary care.

At our Action in May 2007, RISC had a record 653 signed in (previous high was 465) . Sherriff Woody committed to establishing an evidence-based intensive substance abuse treatment for 60 inmates in the Richmond City Jail to start in early 2009. In the area of healthcare, RISC wants to see increased focus on primary care so that more people can be seen with available state and federal dollars. In 2008- RISC will continue to fight on this important issue!

Contact Info

Virginia Lynch
Lead Organizer
400 W 32nd Street
Richmond, VA 23225
804.497.4777
riscorg@gmail.com