New Orleans and Delta Wetlands Partnership
By Joseph Johnson
SDOP continues to be active in New Orleans through its partnerships with “A Community Voice” and “Voice of the Ex Offender”. In 2015 it will collaborate with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Presbyterian Hunger Program to partner with New Orleans & Delta Wetlands community groups.
Self Development of People is partnering with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Presbyterian Hunger Program (the three ministries supported by the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering) in collaborative ministry in the Katrina affected area in order to work with communities to build resiliency and transform the lives of those still impacted by Hurricane Katrina and subsequent disastrous events. Jointly working with Neighborhood Associations in New Orleans and with indigenous groups in the Delta region, the OGHS collaborative effort will seek to prepare for and mitigate disasters, increase prosperity and power in communities, build self-reliance and food sovereignty, and educate and motivate faithful action among Presbyterians on these particular problems and underlying issues as well as those in their own contexts. The OGHS Program Team will begin building necessary relationships with groups in early 2015.
Joseph Johnson is a member of the National Self-Development of People Committee and has previously served as National Committee Chair. He has also served as International Task Force chairperson for the Self-Development of People National Committee (2005 to 2008).
(Are you a member of a group of low-income persons working on issues of importance to you and your community, will working on these issues result in long-term positive change? Are you in need of financial assistance? Contact SDOP at (502)-569-5782, (www.pcusa.org/sdop) we would welcome talking with you and possibly hosting a community workshop in your area).
