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Energy Star Update: What’s New and Faith-Based in Washington

An update on faith-based initiatives in Washington from the national manager of Energy Star Congregations

by Jerry Lawson     Added August 17, 2010

As published in Worship Facilities, Jul/Aug 2010

White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships coordinates 12 federal centers for faith-based and community initiatives. Each center forms partnerships between its agency and faith-based and neighborhood organizations to advance specific goals. For example, the Department of Labor (DOL) Center forms partnerships between DOL and community-based groups to better integrate those groups in job training and workforce development programs. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center helps to link DHS with community-based groups to address disaster response. Similar efforts are being implemented through centers at the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Veterans Affairs as well as the Small Business Administration, Corporation for National and Community Service and US. Agency for International Development. To contact executive director Joshua DuBois, or learn how each agency is working with the faith community, please visit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ofbnp/offices/federal

Each agency center is working on recommendations, which are all online at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ofbnp-council-final-report.pdf

This document covers topics ranging from domestic and global poverty, to healthy families and inter-religious cooperation, as proposed by a series of citizen task forces.

Volunteers: From Responding to Disasters to Feeding Hungry Kids

The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships keeps up with the programs and efforts of volunteers in the faith community. To read online or subscribe to these blogs from, please visit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ofbnp/blog

Corporation for National and Community Service

More Americans volunteer through religious organizations than any other type of group. Did you know that new research shows that despite all the additional stresses of a difficult economy, volunteers are answering the president’s call to service by pitching in to help others. In fact, 1.6 million more Americans served in 2009 than in 2008—the largest increase in service since 2003. Established in 1993, the Corporation for National and Community Service was created to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their nation. To learn more about volunteers helping communities facing the gulf oil spill; 4-H Clubs planting community gardens; and helping feed hungry kids this summer visit the Corporation for National and Community Service at http://www.serve.gov/ and see the special information for faith-based organizations at:

http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/faith/index.asp

Grants and Resources for the Faith Community

Throughout its history under Presidents Obama and Bush, the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships has worked to inform congregations and community organizations of grant opportunities for which they may be eligible throughout the federal government. Neither the office nor the agency centers administer or manage federal grant programs, however, the office website provides links help you identify those grant opportunities where faith-based and neighborhood organizations are being engaged as partners by federal agencies. For information, please visit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ofbnp/resources

Jerry Lawson is national manager of Energy Star’s Small Business and Congregations Network. For more information visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free at (888) 782-7937.