IMPACT had a very successful Annual Assembly on October 15, 2007. Over 635 people attended and we welcomed 4 new congregations into membership: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, P’nai Yisrael Chavurah, Living Water Christian Center and St. Paul’s Episcopal, Ivy. This brings our total to 27 congregations. We also adopted a new Executive Committee, led by Fr. Dennis McAuliffe, Holy Comforter Catholic Church and Pastor Stanley Woodfolk, Evergreen Ministries.
The Assembly followed our fall listening process in which 790 people participated in 80 house meetings. The top community problems raised were affordable housing, healthcare, youth, and education concerns.
At our Assembly we voted to continue our efforts on affordable housing and begin efforts to address gaps in healthcare. We will continue to monitor our work on public transportation, but affordable housing and healthcare will be the 2 focuses of the 2007-2008 cycle.
Supervisor Slutzky attended the Annual Assembly. He committed to continue his efforts to ensure that the Charlottesville/Albemarle/UVa Task Force has concrete outcomes and has a focus on families that earn 30%AMI, under $20,000 a year. He praised IMPACT for our ongoing efforts and presence.
Next Steps:
We are in the research process and over the next several months, the research committees will be meeting with local experts, decision makers, and people affected by the problem.
Congregations will be focused on deepening and solidifying their justice ministry networks.