IMPACT-Charlottesville

Mission Statement and Philosophical Purpose

"IMPACT's mission is to bring diverse congregations together to create a greater degree of justice and fairness in Charlottesville and Albemarle County."

If direct community service (working in soup kitchens, volunteering at Habitat for Humanity) may be considered "Charity," then the work of IMPACT may be considered Justice; to many, it is a matter of setting the scales in balance, to have an entire community contribute towards its own wellbeing. IMPACT serves as a means to identify root problems in the community, responsible for limiting the poor and disenfranchised to their relatively poor lots, and solve them.

Background

IMPACT is an acronym for Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together. It is based in the city of Charlottesville, as well as Albemarle County.[http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArticle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&cMGArticle&cid1173352856199&path=!news!columns/]

The IMPACT movement is unique in its way way of operation. It identifies and champions several community causes every year through the process of listening/networking, research, and direct action meetings performed by an extensive local network of volunteers.

It uses its large, church based body of support to apply political pressure to local Charlottesville city and county officials.

In March of 2006, the first public rally sponsored by the organization was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Arts center at Charlottesville High School. 200 people were forced to stand outside as the 1,300 people-filled auditorium listened to what councilmen and city board members had to say about issues of transportation and affordable housing.

Because of the unexpectedly large turnout at the MLK Center in March 2007, IMPACT plans to hold next years rally at a much larger venue, at University Hall at the University of Virginia.

Accomplishments

IMPACT was given "total credit" by city official Dave Norris for bringing about the formation of regional committee made up of UVA, county and city officials that will jointly address the issue of affordable housing for those on the lowest end of the economic scale.

Although not solely responsible, pressure applied by IMPACT on city and county politicians played a role in the addition of new bus stops, as well as bus routes in the greater Charlottesville area.

Current members

IMPACT consists of a 28 Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations. For congregation names, please visit the site link at the bottom of the article.

Site Link: http://impactcville.blogspot.com/

IMPACT in the Community

http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArticle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&cMGArticle&cid1173352856199&path=!news!columns

http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArticle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&cMGArticle&cid1173350356478&path=%21news%21opinion

http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagenameCDP/MGArticle/CDP_BasicArticle&cMGArticle&cid=1137834200911

http://www.thedartcenter.org/IMPACT.html

http://www.c-ville.com/index.php?cat141404064435450&ShowArticle_ID11431012073730367

http://www.c-ville.com/index.php?cat141404064431134&ShowArticle_ID11431811073568331

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