The role of religion and faith

“At the individual level, the connection between faith and health has been shown to have a positive impact on biochemical and physiological stress markers in people who have regular religious or spiritual practices, such as prayer, meditation and attending religious services. These practices help to reduce stress and mitigate the effects of ongoing exposure to harmful conditions associated with poverty.

At the organizational level, many faith traditions hold caring for the poor as central to their beliefs and practices. In working to alleviate poverty, religious institutions often collaborate with other faith-based organizations or with secular organizations who share their concerns.

One example of an interfaith effort to combat poverty is Fighting Poverty with Faith, co-sponsored by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Catholic Charities USA and the National Council of Churches. Focused on addressing the root causes of poverty, Fighting Poverty with Faith is endorsed by more than 50 national faith-based organizations.”

– Dr. Gail C. Christopher

Vice President — Program Strategy, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

QUESTION ANSWER

HOW CAN RELIGION AND FAITH BE LEVERAGED TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY?

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1. Faith, racial healing and community health in Southwest Georgia

2. Partnering with faith-based institutions to reduce poverty in New Orleans

Faith, racial healing and community health in southwest Georgia

Founded in 1971 by Civil Rights activists Charles and Shirley Sherrod, Southwest Georgia Project (SWGA) addresses such issues as school desegregation, unfair policies affecting children and families, and economic development. SWGA Project’s work in African American communities in and around Albany, Ga., has always involved faith-based institutions. One of SWGA Project’s latest racial healing efforts is a regular convening of community members of all races for open discourse. It’s understood that the community’s public health issues cannot be addressed unless done so alongside efforts to heal the racial divide.

HOW CAN RELIGION AND FAITH BE LEVERAGED TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY?

QUESTION

Partnering with faith-based institutions to reduce poverty in New Orleans

The Renaissance Project is a native-New Orleans nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life of low-income communities of color by increasing access to fresh, healthy food; expanding education opportunities; catalyzing economic development and celebrating arts and culture. It regularly partners with and includes faith-based institutions in its efforts to reduce poverty and foster racial healing in the city. One of its current projects involves the transformation of the former St. Maurice Church and School in the Lower Ninth Ward into a community center with space for businesses, community-building activities and interfaith healing.

HOW CAN RELIGION AND FAITH BE LEVERAGED TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY?

QUESTION