Mayor Rawlings-Blake Joined by Faith Leaders to Launch the Awaken Initiative
Announces Fatherhood Summit taking place on Saturday.
Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by Dr. S. Todd Yeary, Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Dr. Frank M. Reid, Rev. A.C. D. Vaughn, Rev. H. Walden Wilson, Dr. Harold Carter, Sr., and leaders from across the city to launch of a new faith-based initiative called Awaken Baltimore. The new partnership between the Mayor and the faith community will engage Baltimore’s faith institutions, neighborhoods, and nonprofits to “awaken” city residents to a stronger commitment to caring, compassion, and civic responsibility in their communities.
This summer, Mayor Rawlings-Blake held a series of meetings with a core group of faith leaders to discuss their increasing concern about violence and moral decay in neighborhoods. The clergy members suggested that they might be able to best assist the Mayor by promoting and participating in a citywide initiative to restore the city’s moral foundation. The initiative, Awaken Baltimore, will call on city faith institutions to directly address persistent problems such as absentee fathers, the code of silence, and police-community relations.
“I am so grateful today to be joined by faith leaders from across religious and denominational lines to seriously address some of the city’s biggest challenges,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “It is imperative that we come together as one city and begin to do the work of faith.”
“Awaken Baltimore is a great opportunity for Mayor Rawlings-Blake and faith leaders to honestly look at our city as it is and imagine what it can be,” added Rev. Dr. A.C. D. Vaughn from Sharon Baptist Church.
As part of the initiative, the city’s churches, mosques, synagogues, and other faith institutions will take every 3rd Thursday or Friday to perform works in their community. As each community is different, each institution will be encouraged to focus their energy on challenges unique to them. The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods will connect faith institutions with community groups and schools that have identified needs. Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Baltimore City Mentoring Initiative will meet with faith leaders to recruit mentors for young people in East Baltimore.
“I appreciate the Mayor’s desire to engage communities of faith, and for understanding the need to translate religious beliefs and values into meaningful action in our city,” added Rabbi Daniel Burg from the Beth Am Synagogue.
“The Awaken Initiative is our opportunity for a social reawakening that affirms the partnerships and valued relationships between civic and faith organizations, and neighborhood residents,” said Rev. Dr. Yeary from Douglas Memorial Community Church. “Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s initiative empowers us to improve the quality of life for all of Baltimore’s citizens by addressing today’s needs.”
The campaign will also focus community resources to encourage and educate fathers about their parental responsibilities and their power to stem violence in our communities. On Saturday, November 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Awaken Baltimore will host a Fatherhood Summit at Northwest District Community Action Center, 3939 Reisterstown Road
“When I served in the Public Defender’s office, I saw that many young people in Baltimore have no loving adults in their lives and nowhere to turn for a father’s words of encouragement,” added Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “This is the call of Awaken Baltimore—to be present in the moment, to safeguard the future of our children and of our city.”
Watch this video to learn more about the Awaken initiative’s fatherhood component.
For more information about the Awaken initiatives, visit www.baltimorecity.gov, or call (410) 396-4735.
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