Events and Activities
All interested and concerned individuals and groups are encouraged to participate in GRIP's Social Justice Committee work. Please contact Farther Don Mackinnon, Chair of this committee, to learn how (click onto Board of Directors link on our home page for contact information). See, below, for a list of current active issues.
For other GRIP committee information, see, below.
For GRIP members' news and events, please contact each directly; see, Members Quick Link for contact information.
Actions and Alerts
- Summer is upon us! In addition to warmer weather, this means children are on vacation from school. We actively are seeking experiences, activities, passes and tickets, and organizers of these, to engage and enrich our families and clients, and their children. Please also see our Volunteer page and our Wish List for more information.
- GRIP's Social Justice Committee is working to address violence, not the least, the murders in Richmond. Dr. Kim Duir, and her Frontline Workers, has invited GRIP and our community to join her in a simple but meaningful way, to draw attention in our community and from our community to the tragedy of violence among us.
Dr. Kim Duir and her met once again on May 30th to lay two wreaths and light candles.
Devontae Wesley, 20 years old, was shot to death Saturday, May 24th, near the corner of 34th and Nevin. Later that night, 56 year old Reginald Garrett was beaten to death in the 500 block of Johnson Drive, near Leke Way, in Parchester Village.
There have been arrests made in both murders thanks to neighborhood witnesses who made police reports. The Richmond Police are quoted in the paper as saying that this feels like a big change, that people are "taking their neighborhoods back".
"As we continue this witnessing work, we pray to be part of changing hearts and minds in a way that may bring peace to the streets of Richmond," said Dr. Duir.
To learn more or to join Dr. Duir and the Frontline Richmond group, you may email her at
kimduir@duircastle.com.
Events (see, also, News)
22nd Annual Harmony Walk to End Hunger
Help plan and/or sponsor and join us in our Annual Harmony Walk to End Hunger, this year our 22nd annual walk-a-hon and festival, the second week in October.
Meetings every last Thursday of a month, 6:30-7:30 pm, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Conference Room.Joe Orr, GRIP Board Member and Patricia Daniels with North Richmond Missionary Baptist Church are 2008 event co-chairs.The May meeting focused on getting letters to elicit support in the mail. We believe that letters will facilitate organizers and walkers to realize a substantial increase in donations. June's meeting will distribute Walk Coordinator packets, explain our materials, provide sample solicitation letters and t-shirt and sponsor development information. EVERYONE is welcome.
Exciting activities and committee work are in progress, with plans to raise $100,000, involve more schools, businesses, agencies,other non-profits and non-GRIP congregations.
Activities include:
Poster contest for West Contra Costa County Unified School District enrollees, from elementary to middle, through high school;
Banners for congregations, businesses, etc.;
T-shirt pre-event sales and advertising for event sponsors; Become a Sponsor
expanded WALK marketing and promotions; and Walk Team Coordinator and member increased use of letters to solicit support.
A Kick-Off music event is Wednesday, September 24th, at Main Street, part of the" Music on the Main" series.
The festival at JFK park, where the walk culminates, will have music, food, booths, children's play area, and education on hunger, homelessness, community services, and much more, as well as FUN!
Super Saturday Family Fest
The West County Regional Group, a multi-cultural volunteer group of parents and community members who work to make West Contra Costa County a healthier, safer, more family friendly place, plans to bring hundreds of families together for an all day event in JFK park this October 11th, part of our Harmony Walk celebration. Stay tuned for more information.
Affordable Housing
Learn how affordable housing changes lives and neighborhoods. To find out more, visit GRIP Board President Rev. Phillip Lawson's organization, the East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO), web site (ebho.org). Or call GRIP Executive Director Art Hatchett at 510-233-2141 x302 or EBHO at 510-663-3830.
Meetings
Congregation Leaders
Next meeting: August 19 , at Grace Lutheran Church, Barret Avenue, Richmond, 8:30 am - 10:10 am. On Feb. 19, the Leadership determined we would meet on a quarterly basis, every Third Tuesday of each quarter: i.e., November 18 2008 will follow the August meeting.
General Public
Social Justice: Next committee meeting: Thursday 17 July 2008 at GRIP 8:30-10:00 AM
Members of GRIPs Social Justice Committee tackle some of West County’s thorniest human issues. Current Hot Topics demanding time and effort include:
- The mental health crisis in West County
- Moving Richmond Health Clinic out of Richmond
- Violence and Youth
- REDI (Richmond Equitable Development Initiative) and San Pablo Specific Plan
- Immigration/New Sanctuary Movement
- Mortgage foreclosures
- Worker Justice
Members of GRIP congregations and Friends of GRIP are encouraged to become involved in these critical social issues.
REDI and GCC, San Pablo Avenue Plan: tba.
Mental Health Task Force: Next Meeting: TBA. Grace Lutheran Church, 2369 Barrett Avenue, 6 pm. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Again, all are invited to participate: consumers, service providers, community groups, County and City departments, congregations, and so on.
See, News page, for May 1 2008 meeting outcomes and information.
Board of Directors
Meeting of the full Board monthly, second Thursday, 9 am, Easter Hill United Method Church.
Board Committees
Social Justice Committee meets every 3rd Thursday 8:30am -10 am, at GRIP. Chair: Fr. Don MacKinnon, KMHME. kunpah@gmail.com
Fund Development Committee:
Chair: Helen Nichols
Annual Harmony Walk , our second week in October fundraiser - meetings every last Thursday of a month. Joe Orr and Patricia Daniels are 2008 event co-chairs.
Finance Committee:
Chair: Patsy Severson
Membership Development Committee
Chair: Diane Atiya Gilani
Program Review Committee:
Chair:
Information Technology Committee
Internal Affairs Committee
Executive Committee |
