Project URGE, Inc. - 4 Point Plan
Approximately 80% of the ministries and organizations affiliated with Project URGE are located along the "poverty crescent". We've divided that route into four targeted areas, where all the ministries/organizations are asked to plan and collaborate together on impacting their neighborhood by:

• Determining what services, ministries and assets are already in place within the area, that comprise pre-existing Project URGE relationships
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses
• Reach out to those in the area, not presently in the Project URGE "family", who are willing to provide their supportive piece by joining this collaborative effort
• Engage others in the Project URGE "family" who have ministries/organizations that have a purpose that could serve across any area

In the Fall of 2005 we drafted an outline for the plan, which focused primarily upon strengthening the relationships we had been cultivating for a number of years within Project URGE, then, reaching out to forge additional strategic cooperation. After attending a CCDA (Christian Community Development Association) Conference in Indianapolis, we folded many of these ideas and methods into the "4 Point Plan. Those workshops were offered by leaders (some with over twenty years experience) who have been tenacious and successful in reversing trends of racism and poverty in cities such as Chicago, Dallas, Baltimore, Miami and etc.

Our hope is to engage churches in the process by linking specific expertise (now seated in the congregations) to the areas of need, along with more volunteers and financial support as these projects develop.

In this way the planning and action for these initiatives stem from those living, working and serving in those areas, but we seek to find people who can also provide some missing features. I'll compare it to cooking a meal - all the main ingredients are present; however, you may need a bigger oven, or some extra ingredients to fortify the dish, or some extra spices (in someone else's cupboard) to make it taste better. But the outcome is planned from the recipe and satisfying.

Farm Markets
In conjunction with Foodlink we hope to establish farm markets in the 4 areas in order to 1) make available nutritional foods to more of the under-resourced neighborhoods, 2) create new jobs, 3) create a hub where people in the neighborhood can receive important information (i.e. health, education, spiritual needs) and 4) at the same time support farmers in the area (some who are also struggling).

Homeless Transition
Additionally, Ruth Fisher and Lisa Lewis from Homeless and Housing (CFC) are drafting a plan to help with transitional housing for the homeless. This was a suggestion from our February meeting, that grew from an article published in Christianity Today's February issue called, "Bridge to a Place Called Home".

In a nutshell, the plan would have churches sponsor a homeless person or family for about a year, to provide decent transitional housing, while mentors and/or case managers would provide training, counseling and education to assist in the process. The fact remains that people who are typically in crisis or repeatedly returning to shelters need more time and familiarity with positive models than the usual 15-30 day stay. There needs to be a more holistic approach to changing people's circumstances.

The Promise within the 4 Points
The promise of this collaboration in the 4 Point Plan is unprecedented. It will become a reality when 1) people are involved, contributing and committed to planning and action, 2) the church responds to the call, 3) city and county government work in harmony with these efforts and begin to remove perceived barriers in these targeted areas and 4) that prayer continually surrounds all these areas of activities.

God does not bless lip service, but will respond to the faithful.