Summer Blockbuster Edition!
A Victory for Our Community!
Illinois Secretary of Transportation Ann Schneider meets with QCI Transportation Equity Stakeholders and Commits to Bring Highway Construction Careers Training Program to the Quad Cities
On the last day of April, Illinois Secretary of Transportation Ann Schneider met with 30 QCI leaders, and other concerned community members for a Stakeholders meeting in Rock Island to discuss the status of the rail project coming to the Quad Cities, and to share our work in development of the "100 Ready Workers" Job Preparedness project. Sec Schneider emphasized the importance of community partnerships to address preparing our communities and for achieving common goals of greater diversity in the workforce.
QCI won a major victory by securing a commitment from the Secretary to bring the Illinois DOT's Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP) to the Illinois Quad Cities. The HCCTP is a partnership between IDOT and the Illinois Community College Board and will provide an approximately $300,000 grant given to Black Hawk College in Moline, which will administer the program. The mission of the HCCTP program is "to increase the total number of minorities, women and disadvantaged individuals who obtain employment, through the construction trades, in Illinois' highway construction industry." This intensive program is expected to accept 15-30 candidates a year, who will go through more than 400 hours of training, preparing them for careers in the highway construction trades. The Quad Cities is one of only ten such programs in Illinois. In addition, QCI's Task Force will be a part of the Advisory Board the State requires for the program to ensure the program goals and community needs are being met.
QCI to Hold "Dream for All" Rally for Immigration Reform on Saturday, June 29 at 10:00 am at Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Rock Island
As debate moves ahead in Washington, D.C. on immigration reform, QCI is inviting you to join us for a "Dream for All "Rally for Reform to pray, bear witness and call on Congress and the President to pass comprehensive immigration reform that is humane, has a clear path to legal citizenship, has a just and fair legalization process, and stops the deportations that are tearing families apart. We will hear testimonials about how the broken immigration system is hurting families and our community, and how we as communities of faith can act for justice. We are honored that Casa Guanajuato Quad Cities, QC Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees and World Relief are partnering with QCI on the day's program. Thank you!
The program will be held at the bandshell of the park from 10 am to 11am. Join us for this call for just, humane and comprehensive immigration reform. Bring a lawn chair and many friends. For more information, contact QCI at 563.322.4910.
4th Annual QCI Taco Nite Fundraiser is Tuesday, June 25 from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm at Azteca 3 Restaurant, 2400 Spruce Hills Dr., Bettendorf
Back by popular demand -- The 4th Annual QCI Taco Nite Fundraiser! Tickets are $10.00 per person for a wonderful taco buffet dinner. What a deal! Drinks & Gratuity are not included. Our thanks once again to the generosity of the Azteca Restaurants for their sponsorship. Fun, food and fellowship - all for a good cause! (Hopefully by then it will be too hot to cook!) Purchase tickets in advance to ensure you get in on this great event.
To purchase tickets, call 563.322.4910. Spread the word and help support QCI
QCI Leaders meet with Congressman Dave Loebsack
In May, clergy and lay leaders met with Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa to learn more about our new Congressman and to listen to his insights into upcoming legislation to address immigration reform. QCI has invited Congressman Loebsack to participate in a "church basement hearing" on immigration, to listen directly to the community about how they will be impacted by reform . This event should be held during the July break or during August recess. We will post on our website when date is confirmed.
Rekindling Our Congregations (ROC):
The Fire of Faith Campaign - A Movement to Rekindle Our Congregations
An update on our 2013 Fire of Faith campaign to build strong congregations, and develop relationships between area congregations. This year, we have created a Rekindling Our Congregations (ROC) Cohort, which includes All Saints Lutheran Church, Davenport, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Bettendorf, St. Mary's Davenport, the Social Action Office of the Diocese of Davenport and Saint Paul the Apostle, Davenport . The cohort is on a year long journey together of congregational development and strengthening . This Spring, leaders met for two trainings in April and May and, having surveyed their members about their congregations, are kicking off their Listening campaigns. A Listening campaign is a structured and intentional process of one to ones held in the congregations. During this time, a team of members hold one to ones amongst their congregations , which are designed to build relationships, learn more about their fellow members, and begin to develop ideas for new ministries or developing lay leaders for current ministries.
Using the arts, attitudes and disciplines of the faith based community organizing, Fire of Faith will strengthen a congregation in ways that are measurable to that congregation. While often it is community issue work that draws and keeps a congregation engaged in QCI, this Fire of Faith process focuses in on what a congregation can do using our tools to build their congregation and make sure they are growing and building community. For more information about the ROC , and about how your congregation can participate next year, call Leslie at 563.322.4910.
QCI and Local Faith Leaders Meet with Bishop Martin Amos and Gamaliel Director of Training John Norton
The Director of Gamaliel Network, John Norton, was a featured speaker at the recent Bible and Justice Conference May 29 - June 2, at St. Ambrose University. While in the Quad Cities, Mr. Norton joined QCI leaders, clergy and social action leaders of the Davenport Diocese at an engaging dialog hosted by Bishop Martin Amos. John spoke about the need for mainline denominations to rebuild community and how the tools of congregation based organizing can help congregations get stronger and take the lead in building those connections we as a society have lost.
QCI Issue Updates
Transportation and Jobs Equity
The next meeting of the Transportation Equity/100 Ready Workers Project will be Wednesday, June 26 9:00am at Church of Peace- 12th and 12th in Rock Island. Next Steps include recruiting organizations that want to help identify potential candidates in the area for job preparedness training, including the HCCTP through BlackHawk College, and creating a criteria for participating in 100 Ready Workers project.
100 Ready Workers Campaign. Along with continuing our goal of ensuring equitable access to work force hours for minorities, women, low income persons for the rail project through the Community Benefits Agreement, the task force is tackling the issue of job preparedness in our community. Nancy H. , commented on this book and the purpose of the class : "Rev Jay's sermon about the babies abandoned in the river raised the question of how we can address root causes of injustice. I think reading the book together can help us figure out how to speak publicly--and effectively-- about such things as mass incarceration/racism (with its built-in jobs); immigration injustice; and ravaging the environment for profit." If you don't have the book, you can still come to class! Contact the congregation at 562.359.0816 for more information.
Immigration
QCI leaders joined hundreds of others in Cedar Rapids to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the immigration raid in Postville.
Immigration Task Force meets Tuesday, June 10th at 530pm before QCI's monthly Leadership Assembly at St Mary's Church, Davenport. WE will be working on the Immigration Rally and the "church basement hearing " on immigration for July
Health Equity
The Task force continues to work with the local health systems to ensure equitable access to medical translation services for those whose first language is not English.
Community Events
Medgar Wiley Evers Day! Wednesday, June 12 4:00pm - 5 :00pm
Membership and Voter Registration Drive at United Neighbors, Davenport. Co Sponsored by Davenport NAACP Branch #4019 and United Neighbors
City of Davenport 20th Annual Youth Fest Saturday July 13 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Centennial Park , Davenport - Games, activities, and interactive displays and new this year - explores. This event if FREE. Tuesday, July 10 at 6:30pm at Centennial Park, Davenport
QCAIR FESTIVAL D'ÉTÉ
AN EVENT TO REMEMBER! at Schweibert Riverfront Park, Rock Island, Illinois Cost is $5.00 per person/$10.00 per family - Come enjoy the music, food, and color of the rich cultural diversity right here in the QCA! The Quad City Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees (QCAIR) announces its First Annual Fund Raising Event - Festival d'Été. Enjoy ethnic food and a children's corner filled with fun things to do including Maypole dances, a "join-in" drum circle, and face painting. Please - bring you own chairs!
Juneteenth Celebration! Friday and Saturday June 14 and 15 - all day
LeClare Park Bandshell,Davenport - Admission is free!
QCI June leadership assembly is Tuesday June 11 at 6:30pm at St Mary's church - 516 Fillmore Davenport
