P.O.W.E.R.: An Interfaith Movement is an affiliate of the P.I.C.O. Network which seeks to gather faith groups and organize them for change within their community. While faith based community organizing has existed in various ways in the City of Philadelphia over the years, P.O.W.E.R. is the first organization to draw from such a diverse group of religious traditions representing every part of our city.
Since the initial meet with clergy in 2009, members of more than 40 Churches and synagogues have held one on one conversations with thousands of Philadelphians to learn about their hopes, desires and needs. Following these conversations, the lay and clergy leaders of P.O.W.E.R. identified several key areas of interest including education, public safety, health care & elder issues, jobs and blighted property. Leaders met with key government and community leaders to learn more in “research meetings” that assisted P.O.W.E.R. in learning where systems are broken and how they could be healed.
In addition to city wide efforts that will lead to fruitful relationships with individuals in the position to make key changes for the good of Philadelphia and its citizens, congregations are meeting in their neighborhoods as well forming LOCs (Local Organizing Committees) in an effort to identify issues that are of particular concern in a given neighborhood and being equipped with the tools necessary to bring about change for the good of the community.
Watch videos about faith based community organizing and see how it works: Faith in Action & Power of New Voices
