If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth.
- 1 John 3:17-18

The Great Recession has had a devastating economic impact for many people, but especially for low-income New Yorkers and their families. Many churches and faith-based programs have put their faith into action, starting new programs or stepping up their ongoing efforts to meet the growing basic needs for food and shelter in their communities. Many have done so with no support other than their faith and the tithes and volunteer labor of their congregations. But they don’t need to go it alone, because the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies is here to help.

Protestant churches and faith-based agencies are traditional providers of social services, and the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies has supported the work of the faith community since 1937. Our experience has shown that faith-based programs are stronger when they partner with us and the other members of our network who share their concerns for serving those in need.

We provide a variety of programs and services that are designed to help you and your church or faith-based program fulfill your social mission. These include:

• Workshops and trainings to teach you how to tap into the city’s social service system to better serve your parishioners and clients, and to help you deal with basic managerial issues like budgeting and fundraising;
  
• A group purchasing service to help you save money on such things as food commodities, heating oil, office supplies and equipment and insurance programs;
  
• Networking events to provide you with opportunities to meet other clergy and human service professionals, and share resources and information;
  
• Advocacy opportunities, so that you and your congregation can join our collective voice in speaking up for the needs of New York’s most vulnerable residents;
  
• Funding opportunities to churches and faith-based feeding programs, through our partnership with the United Way of New York City’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies is made up of partners committed to standing together to make a positive impact on the lives of millions of New Yorkers. I invite you to partner with us, and I hope that you will welcome the opportunity to work and speak together for the welfare of us all.

Please explore our faith-based services to find out how we can help you serve your community. If you’d like to receive our monthly News for the Faith Community e-newsletter, which contains information about free workshops, funding opportunities and other resources, please sign up here.

- The Rev. Joel A. Gibson