Page 29 - Layout 1

MATERNAL
MORTALITY

tem while utilizing both the geographical and educational access of vulnerable areas, lack of food pantries and desert areas of needs.
the faith community. There are steps within the action plan but Leaders gathered together. New food pantries have been assem-
eventually the educational awareness and resource engagement will bled and opened. Financial management as well as mental health
go into congregations and neighborhoods to reach broad and deep classes are now being offered. Faith leaders are working and talk-
into communities. Mapping of combined data from healthcare and ing with civic leaders. Policy makers are better informed. The
faith institutions also help to reveal the disparities and bring further public is being better served. The community is growing stronger.
focus to engaged access into specific communities. It is healthier.
It is not a stretch to begin to see what kind of advocacy dynamic Within faith and religious traditions, members learn about values,
of mobilization can moral obligations and
occur from the the ability to respond
above when it comes in care of self, others
to changing behav- What could and might happen if the faith and the world around
iors, laws, policies, community and government agencies and nonprofit us. Such teachings,
etc. which all impact organizations and community groups began to undergirded by the
health disparities. ethic of reciprocity,
intentionally relate more to each other in addressing
Programs within prime faith-based in-
faith institutions our largest and shared community concerns? stitutions toward
begin to share ideas, public health initia-
outcomes and prac- What could and might happen if more intentional tives and the care of
tices. Congregations partnerships were formed across these entities creation to create a
begin to partner in safer, healthier envi-
the networking of a and geographies? ronment. History
variety of services to points us to numer-
better serve the What could and might happen if more services were ous times of social
needs of their intentionally networked across the institutions and justice advocacy and
nearby communities. agencies towards efficiency and effectiveness? human rights efforts
Families and individ- from within faith-
uals begin to get a based groups.
better understanding What could and might happen to the lives C o n s i d e r a t i o n
through education of families and communities that are the needs to be given to
and the navigation most vulnerable? the endless possibili-
of systems. Once ties of the faith com-
these factors begin munity in San
to combine, health What could and might happen to San Antonio? Antonio as one of its
disparities become largest natural re-
clearer and more ev- Who might we be? sources. Public
ident on a collective health. Mental health.
scale. Faith leaders Children. Foster care.
and nonprofit lead- Literacy. Immigrants
ers and healthcare leaders begin to come together for solutions, to and refugees. Environmental sustainability. It is an endless list of
organize in giving greater voice to policy development. possibilities to be harnessed around people coming together and
Early in 2018, a pilot project began in southeast San Antonio around a shared ethic of reciprocity.
to address the needs of hunger and those without permanent
shelter in their lives. Mapping occurred from the combined data The Rev. Ann E. Helmke is the Community Faith-Based Liaison for the
of the city, faith institutions and nonprofits. Assessments revealed Department of Human Services, City of San Antonio.

visit us at www.bcms.org 29