Gilda's Club represents IA as one of 51 Finalists in the Running to Earn $10,000 in Funding

Davenport, Iowa, September 16th, 2013 - Gilda's Club Quad Cities has been selected as the only finalist from IA in the fifth annual Tom's of Maine "50 States for Good" community giving program and now has a chance to win $10,000 to grow important community projects and services that will allow us to plant an organic garden and offer workshops on healthy living using local experts. Through a public vote at 50StatesforGood.com now through October 15, supporters can help bring the funding to Davenport with the simple click of a mouse.

The "50 States for Good" program seeks to uncover local nonprofit groups that address community needs and engage volunteers to get the work done. Gilda's Club G.R.O.W. (Giving Resources Organically Within) entails a combination of planting an organic garden as well as providing workshops on healthy living and sustainability. It would be a fulfilling opportunity for volunteers and members alike.

"Gilda's Club Quad Cities is absolutely thrilled to be a finalist in the Tom's of Maine 50 States for Good program. We believe that healthy eating is extremely important however, it can be very expensive. When a family is impacted by a cancer diagnosis sometimes they simply can't afford to buy these things. Winning this contest would allow us to be able to provide fresh organic vegetables and fruits to our members" - Erin Williams Gilda's Club Program Outreach Manager

Non-profit finalists from each state were selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 nominations by an independent panel of judges, including star of "The Vampire Diaries" and non-profit founder Ian Somerhalder, Matt Petronzio, assistant features editor covering social good for Mashable.com, Huffington Post columnist Lisa M. Dietlin and Sam Davidson, president of Cool People Care.

"A desire to do more for a favorite nonprofit can often be hindered by a lack of time to volunteer or financial means to make a donation," said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "50 States for Good makes it easy for anyone to have an impact and directly help organizations that are bringing goodness to communities in a variety of creative and inspiring ways."

-For several decades, Tom's of Maine has donated 10% of its profits back to the community and encourages employees to use 5% (12 days) of paid time off to volunteer every year. For more information visit tomsofmaine.com.

About Gilda's Club Quad Cities
Our mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. Free of charge, Gilda's Club Quad Cities provides support, education, and hope to all people affected by cancer. Gilda's Club Quad Cities is an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community™ A Global Network of Education and Hope

Visit us online at:

www.gildasclubqc.org

www.facebook.com/gildasclubqc

www.twitter.com/gildasclubqc

www.pinterest.com/gildasclubqc

About Tom's of Maine
Tom's of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal care carrying high quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant and bar soap products. The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting people, communities and the living planet. For over 42 years, TOMs has sponsored hundreds of nonprofit efforts by giving 10% of its profits back to organizations that support human and environmental goodness and by encouraging employees to use 5% (12 days) of employee time to volunteer. TOMs employees regularly contribute suggestions for improving the company's high sustainability standards. And their ideas, from wind power to ways to improve recycled and recyclable packaging options, are critical to the company's sensitive way of doing business. Most Tom's of Maine products are vegan, kosher, halal-certified and all packaging is recyclable through a partnership with upcycling leader TerraCycle or participating municipalities. Tom's of Maine enjoys partnering with its consumers, vendors and community organizations to support lasting, positive change that is good for people and the planet. Visit us online at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/ or at http://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.

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Rock Island, IL - Christian Care recently received a $1,000 grant that will go toward helping homeless men and abused women pay for medical co-pays and prescriptions. Having this grant will mean a greater sense of security and peace of mind for its clients, knowing they do not have to sacrifice their health because of an inability to pay.

"We are especially grateful to In From the Cold because, even though the Affordable Healthcare Act expands Medicaid eligibility, homeless individuals will still need funds to pay for their health and prescription co-pays until their Medicaid application is approved," said Christian Care's Executive Director, Dr. Elaine Winter. "In From the Cold of the Quad Cities is helping us to provide as many resources as possible for homeless men and abused women, so that they are not tempted to return to their old ways of life, including abuse, just to obtain minimal, but much-needed services."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men. It serves homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illnesses.

Christian Care's community meal site is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays Monday through Friday, and for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. If you know of someone in need, call Christian Care's crisis hotline any hour of the day at (309) 788-2273 or visit online at christiancareqc.org.

Welcome to Quad Cities Interfaith Newsletter

October 2013

Register now for .... "Fire of Faith!"

QC Interfaith's 5th Annual Individual Donor Fundraising Breakfast
Thursday, November 7th, 2013, 7:30 am - 8:30 am

(Registration begins at 7:00am)
Rogalski Center at Saint Ambrose University
518 W. Locust Street, Davenport, Iowa

Reservations are required. RSVP : 563-322-4910

This one hour event will showcase our work as people of faith who
are transforming our community and establishing justice. There is no cost to attend the breakfast. Guests will be asked to make a charitable gift to support Quad Cities Interfaith's mission. It is through community support that QCI is able to build local leadership and create systemic change.

There are other ways to support QCI- place an ad in our Ad Book for our Breakfast
Breakfast Sponsor

(Includes Ad, Sponsor Sign at event)              $500.00

Full Page Ad (Includes 2 tickets)                     $350.00
Half page Ad (Includes 2 tickets)                     $200.00
Business Card Ad (Includes 1 ticket)              $100.00

Leadership Actions and Events

Transportation and Jobs Equity

QCI leaders joined Gamaliel of Illinois to meet with Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider in September. Our leaders successfully achieved the placement of the Highway Construction Careers Training Program (HCCTP)  at Black Hawk  College. HCCTP is a training program designed to place more minorities and women in the construction trades. The HCCTP class begins in 2014.  

The next meeting of the Transportation Equity/100 Ready Workers Project will be Wednesday, October 23rd at 10:00 am at Martin Luther King Center - 630 7th Avenue Rock Island, IL  61201.

We continue to develop the 100 Ready Workers project, and have developed a survey tool to assess what skills potential participants may have an may need to work on. We are working with community groups and congregations to create a pipeline of workers who want to prepare themselves for jobs in construction and other fields.

Reverend Michael Swartz, Ann Schneider, Illinois Secretary of Transportation, QCI Director Leslie Kilgannon and Jobs Equity Task Force Leader George Barajas.

Immigration

Gamaliel leaders gathered October 8th in Washington, DC as part of a Day of Action of community activists and faith leaders to call on Congress to move the House Immigration reform bill to a vote. QCI is organizing local meetings with our Congressional delegation this fall to discuss their support for the House Immigration bill and call on our Members to keep immigration reform moving forward.

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. Task Force members is in dialogue with Genesis and Trinity Health Systems. By working together, our community is removing barriers to access to professional medical translations services for those in our community.

Rekindling Our Congregations (ROC) Listening Campaigns Have Begun

This Fall, four local congregations - Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Anthony's Church, All Saints Lutheran and St. Mary's Church, Davenport, are engaging in the Rekindling Our Congregations (ROC) Listening Campaign within their congregations. A listening campaign is a campaign of intentional, deep listening to the members of a congregation, to develop relationships and to strengthen congregations.

That deep listening is being done by a team of congregation members who conduct one to ones with their fellow members. A one to one is a natural, but uncommon conversation with someone you want to know better, to learn about their values, life and motivations. It's a relationship building tool for congregations . When we are relationship with one another, that is when we can see our values exercised in the world.

When the ROC listening campaigns are finished, the congregations will debrief about what they have learned, and then work on a plan to engage leaders in ministries and to reach out to deepen their engagement in the community. Rekindling the Fire of Faith!!!!!

For more information about the ROC campaign, call Leslie at 563.322.4910.

QCI Director training leaders at St. Mary's Church, Davenport in the One to One as part of the ROC Listening Cmapaign.

QCI holds Trivia Nite Fundraiser

The competition was fierce, but friendly, at September's trivia night fundraiser. Watch this space for our next trivia night fundraisers in January and March 2014. Thanks to all who came out and supported QCI!!!!

Community Events

Saturday, October 12th . Poverty Simulation Experience. 9:30am-12:30pm. Just Faith, MLK Center, Churches United and U of I Extension. At the St. Pius X Catholic Church - Farrell Hall - 2502 29th Avenue, Rock Island, IL. For registration 309-738-0002.

Sundays - October 27, November 24, 2013 & January 5, January 26, February 23, March 30, April 27, and May 25,2014. Music Session at 4:30 p.m. Vespers at 5:00 p.m.

Celtic Music Session And Celtic Vespers
at Gloria Dei Presbyterian Church, 4200 -12th St., Rock Island
309-788-8986

Music sessions is a time for musicians of all instruments and styles to come together for sharing and learning Celtic tunes. Musicians are invited to share some of the tunes during the vespers. Music for the vespers will be available in advance.

Saturday, November 2 Dia De Los Muertos - Free Family Fiesta Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Casa Quad Cities and Figge Museum.

Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos at the Figge! Families will enjoy making a variety of projects including skeleton masks, clay figures, and learn to make and decorate traditional sugar skulls. Special snacks, music, story time and a film will also be on the schedule along with gallery activities. Ballet Folklorico will cap off the scheduled activities with their performance of traditional dance in the Grand Lobby.

9 a.m. Saturday, November 2 Día de los Muertos 5K Race/Walk

A partnership between Casa Quad Cities and the Figge Art Museum

Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos and Halloween by dressing up for this family-friendly run/walk on the Davenport Riverwalk (Ripley St. at Biederbeck Dr.). To register visit www.casaqc.org.

QCI is On the Move - Really! Office Relocation!!

The QCI office has relocated to the Priester Building - 601 Brady Street Suite 208 in Davenport. Just three blocks up on Brady Street from the old office - more office space and still close to downtown IL and Davenport!

We do have a few needs - we are in need of a bookcase to replace the built in we had to leave behind, and a medium sized meeting table - round or rectangular . Please call the QCI office at 563.322.4910 if you'd like to help. Also would appreciate anyone who is especially good at hanging pictures.

Drop by for visit!

QCI Leadership Assembly meets Tuesday, November 12th at 6:30 pm at St. Mary's Church at 516 Fillmore Street in Davenport.

About the Quad Cities Interfaith Newsletter

We hope you are enjoying our newsletter. QCI welcomes information about justice,and faith-based activities to post to our newsletter. We reserve the right to edit for space and content. If you like this, please forward to your friends. QCI is a 501c3 and donations to QCI are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Visit our website for more information and to donate!

601 Brady Street Suite 208 Davenport Iowa 52803 qcinterfaith@gmail.com - 563.322.4910