What is really driving the national Housing Crisis and what tools can help us address it?
May 15-17, 2024
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Overview
Moving from Mercy to Justice. Often, we are so consumed in acts of mercy like feeding, clothing and temporarily sheltering a portion of the growing masses of those in need that we fail to engage in equally important acts of justice that would change the policies and provide funding to establish more permanent housing. Doing so could eventually result in reducing, and eventually eliminating homelessness and the lack of affordable housing.
Join us for a deep dive over three days, either in-person or online, into the Housing Crisis in America with leadership from around the country.
This event is jam-packed with leadership from across the spectrum of this systemic and relentless crisis. In our time together we will delve deeply into the parameters of the housing crisis, explore the root causes, learn what coalition models show promise and how to build them, share resources to get your community or congregation to be active and effective, as well as hear how active engagement transforms your group. You will leave understanding the challenge ahead and be equipped with the tools to do something about it – the tools to start your ripple towards housing justice. Our hope is this event will leave you educated with all the leadership and learning, and energized to do something about it. See the schedules below to understand how our event will flow.
Who should attend: Designed with engaged citizen in mind. You will gain knowledge, resources, and understanding of the challenges of the homeless crisis in the USA. *Congregations should consider registering more than one participant, ordained and lay, to ensure there is already the kernel of a team who can implement what we learn.
Includes: A “digital toolkit” filled with resources to get you started and to strengthen your effectiveness. Event offered in online and in-person retreat options. Pre- and post-event online gatherings help support you as you implement what you learn.
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Leadership:
Featuring leadership from:
- Dr. Gregg Colburn, University of Washington professor and co-author of Homelessness is a Housing Problem
- Rev. Donna Trabue of Volunteers of America Mid-States and an experienced shelter chaplain;
- John Aeschbury, Executive Director of the Direct Action and Research Training Center (DART)
- Rev. Dr. Angela Johnson Louisville area pastor
- Natalie Harris, the Executive Director of the Louisville Coalition for the Homeless
- Christie McCravy, Executive Director of the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund
- Bill Hollander, retired elected member of the Louisville Regional Council.
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In Person Participant Information:
Arrive between 3-5 pm on Wednesday and depart after 1 pm on Friday. Eastern Time.
Fees are all inclusive and include housing option, 6 meals, and all facility and leadership costs.
In-Person Participant Event Schedule
All times Eastern:
Wednesday May 15
3:00 PM Arrival
6:00 PM Dinner
7:15 PM Orientation and Introductions
8:15 PM Optional Opening Worship
Thursday May 16
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Optional Worship
9:45 AM Morning Gathering
10:00 AM “What’s the Problem?”
Keynote with Dr. Gregg Colburn, author of “Homelessness is a Housing Problem”
11:30 AM Break
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM “What does it look and feel like?”
Tales from those engaged in solutions and a panel discussion featuring, Afternoon – Donna Trabue, Natalie Harris, and Christie McCravy (background in event description above)
6:00 PM Dinner
7:30 PM “What does it feel like?”
Recapping today’s information with interactive experiences
9:00 PM Optional Evening Worship
Friday May 17
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Optional Worship
9:30 AM What can we do about it?”
Resources from those community development and government engagement featuring Rev. Dr. Angela Johnson, John Aeschbury, and Bill Hollander (background in event description above)
11:30 AM Closing with short Devotional
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Departure
Online Cohort Series for all Participants
June Online Cohort
June 27, 2024 2-3:30 PM
July Online Cohort
July 25, 2024 7-8:30 PM
August Online Cohort
August 14, 2024 2-3:30 PM
One hour cohort sessions designed to keep your conversations going and your connections growing.
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Online Participant Information:
Our online experience features a dedicated host to support you and ensure your questions for leaders and other needs are met throughout your time. We have divided the online time into four parts of between one and two hours each spread over three days. Sessions will be recorded and stored for two weeks following the event so you can review any sessions you were unable to attend live.
Online Participant Schedule
All times Eastern:
Wednesday May 15
7:15 –8:15 PM Event Orientation and Introduction
Thursday May 16
10:00-11:30 AM “What’s the Problem?”
Keynote with Dr. Gregg Colburn, author of “Homelessness is a Housing Problem”
1:00-3:00 PM “What does it look and feel like?
Tales from those engaged in solutions and a panel discussion featuring, Afternoon – Donna Trabue, Natalie Harris, and Christie McCravy (background in event description above)
Optional Evening (or a good catch up if you had to miss an earlier session)
7:30-9:00 PM “What does it feel like?”
Recapping today’s information with interactive experiences
Friday May 17
9:30-11:30 AM “What Can We Do About It?”
Resources from those community development and government engagement featuring Rev. Dr. Angela Johnson, John Aeschbury, and Bill Hollander (background in event description above)
Online Cohort Series for all Participants
June Online Cohort
June 27, 2024 2-3:30 PM
July Online Cohort
July 25, 2024 7-8:30 PM
August Online Cohort
August 14, 2024 2-3:30 PM
One hour cohort sessions designed to keep your conversations going and your connections growing.
*This event is part of the “Overbrook Conversations” at Stony Point Center. Designed to be the first of an annual conversation around the Housing Crisis and one of several ongoing dialogues on social justice issues affecting congregations and communities nationwide. Based on the premise that one-time events don’t solve systemic problems but long-term engagement in generative learning conversations can equip a network for action.