Social Action Ministries Past Events

AUTUMN 2008

Temple Beth Avodah Reflects on Faith and Social Action

Education about homelessness and reflection on the relationship between faith and social action are crucial parts of SAM’s mission.
Continuing SAM’s efforts to reach out to communities of all faiths, MHSA Executive Director Joe Finn spoke to members of Temple Beth Avodah in Newton this September as part of the temple’s social action Shabbat service, led by Rabbi Keith Stern. Debbie Cutler, who works at MHSA member agency Hearth, invited Finn to speak to her congregation.

Finn opened his talk by noting there were 10,000 homeless men, women and children in the Commonwealth that night.  Focusing on personal and societal responsibility, he encouraged the congregants of the temple to take responsibility for the current state of homelessness by engaging in advocacy for social change. Finn suggested several ways that we can all be responsible, including providing support for newly housed tenants and encouraging volunteers and those involved with social service agencies to focus on what these agencies do to end, rather than just manage, homelessness.

If you are interested in having a Joe Finn, Dr. Jessie Gaeta or another speaker talk with your faith community about ending homelessness, contact Caitlin Golden at cgolden@mhsa.net or (617) 367-6447 ext. 28.

SUMMER 2008

In July, MHSA Executive Director Joe Finn spoke to a homelessness outreach team at Park Street Church in Boston prior to one of the team’s weekly outreach efforts on the Boston Common. Finn praised the team’s commitment to recognizing the dignity of homeless individuals. He also encouraged the team to consider how permanent supportive housing could positively influence the many individuals they would meet during their outreach that evening.

In June, MHSA Physician Advocate Dr. Jessie Gaeta (left) and Caitlin Golden spoke to parishioners at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chelmsford. They discussed the Massachusetts five-year plan to end homelessness and facilitated a conversation about ways faith communities can engage in advocacy for structural change.

SPRING 2008

In early April, SAM held its first “Faith and Advocacy” workshop at the Church on the Hill featuring a presentation by attorneys Elizabeth M. Norman and Abigail Baird (far right) of Ropes & Gray LLP. Participants learned about IRS regulations for advocacy by 501(c)(3) organizations and were able to share experiences and ask the attorneys for guidance.

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