The issue has been more in the understanding and knowing. So as to offer families with the prospect to explore their options the CMC intends to shape programs founded on the needs and requirements of the family (Winslade and Monk, 2000)
He is known for setting the stage for his important messages by first pointing out the lack of logic in stereotypes; for example, in his book's "Introduction" he notes that the situation for the average black family in America is often misunderstood when it comes to success vs. poverty, since there are "more than three times as many non-poor blacks as there are poor blacks" (Billingsley, 20), and yet, as is so clear in America today, many non-blacks continue to hang on to the stereotype that nearly all blacks are from the lower rung of the economic ladder
Copenhaver - Growing Up Liberal (Good News in Exile) In his essay, Martin P. Copenhaver - a minister's son born into a liberal community in 1954, the year "under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance - remembers sermons he heard growing up that were "sprinkled with quotes from virtually every human endeavor" (Copenhaver 8-9)
Copenhaver - Growing Up Liberal (Good News in Exile) In his essay, Martin P. Copenhaver - a minister's son born into a liberal community in 1954, the year "under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance - remembers sermons he heard growing up that were "sprinkled with quotes from virtually every human endeavor" (Copenhaver 8-9)
A recent example of how churches can be ripped off was published in newspapers all over the country through an Associated Press article. "A preacher was convicted Monday (February 7, 2005) of stealing nearly $9 million from hundreds of small black churches across the country by promising them big returns on small investments" (Haines, 2005), the article explained
For a fresher, more contemporary view of families, a research article by Mary Parke is more appropriate. Mary Parke - Fragile Families Nearly one-third of all births now occur outside of marriage" (Parke, 2004), according to an article in the Center for Law and Social Policy (Policy Brief No
Disparity of Targeted Funding in the Black Urban Community There are many ways to get funding for different types of projects, no matter where a person or organization is located. Some of the areas most in need of funding for projects are in black, urban communities (Barnes, 2005; Day, 2002; Haight, 1998; Patillo-McCoy, 1998)
No matter what types of programs need funding and financial help, there are different ways in which getting that funding can be considered. Church congregations often help raise money for community projects, but there are other ways in which these congregations can help those in need (Billingsley, 1999; Brown & Brown, 2003; Wood, 2002)
Many black churches, though, take a hands-on approach to more than just worship (McRoberts, 1999; Wood, 2002). They believe that part of their religious duty is to improve the world around them, and they want to see things get done that will further their community (Brown & Brown, 2003; Day, 2002)
One of those ways is through voting in local elections. That allows more support to be given to officials who are interested in funding those projects that are deemed important by the community (Calhoun-Brown, 1996; Cavendish, 2000; Chaves & Higgins, 1992)
As the black urban community moves toward improvement for its residents, there are a number of things it can do. Neighborhood watches and other anti-crime programs are popular, but there is also money needed (Cavendish, 2000)
The individuals who hold elected office are the ones who generally control what programs receive targeted funding in various communities (Wood, 2002). With that in mind, it is possible to focus on voting in order to elect people who are more interested in funding causes that are deemed important to the people of the church, who often represent a large segment of those who live and work in the community (Chaves & Higgins, 1992; Harris, 1999)
Black church congregations must take chances with this, just as other groups of dedicated people would do when electing someone. Those who do get elected also need to know the political and professional climate of a particular neighborhood or community, so they have a higher level of awareness about what they must do to keep the job and be successful in it (Day, 2002)
They believe that part of their religious duty is to improve the world around them, and they want to see things get done that will further their community (Brown & Brown, 2003; Day, 2002). They are tight-knit groups, and they are committed to the people in their congregation and their neighborhood (Haight, 1998)
Because black churches in larger urban areas often have significant numbers of people in their congregations, there are large groups of people who are focused on the changes they see as important. This can make a difference at the grass-roots level, but there is more to the issue than that (Harris, 1999)
Both types of funding are important and can be significant for a community, but they are used for very different purposes (Barnes, 2005). When a community has something that matters strongly to a majority of its residents, the focus can become how to find targeted funding that will allow it to move forward with that project (Lincoln & Mamiya, 1990)
This paper will explore the disparity of targeted funding in the black urban community, and how the black churches within that community can use their strong congregational influence to vote for elected officials who will fund the projects that are considered important to the church and the surrounding area. Targeted Funding Targeted funding is that which is specific to something, instead of being used for a broad range of issues (McClerking & McDaniel, 2005)
This passive way of getting things done may not work as well, however, because not everyone will be moved to change anything based on it. Many black churches, though, take a hands-on approach to more than just worship (McRoberts, 1999; Wood, 2002)
With a good action plan, leaders in the community can apply for a grant for a very specific thing, and they may be more likely to receive that money than they would if they were only interested in being given a grant to spend however, they like (Patillo-McCoy, 1998). While grants are very important ways to get funding for community projects, another way to get those projects funded is through the money that the elected officials have in the budget (Smith, 1996; Wood, 2002)
That allows more support to be given to officials who are interested in funding those projects that are deemed important by the community (Calhoun-Brown, 1996; Cavendish, 2000; Chaves & Higgins, 1992). The individuals who hold elected office are the ones who generally control what programs receive targeted funding in various communities (Wood, 2002)