We invite you to read about some of the current social justice projects going on at Hope Church, in the hopes that you might be inspired to dive right in! There are all kinds of ways to contribute; if any of these ongoing projects interest you, let us know, and we'll get you connected.

Roslindale Food Bank

Roslindale's only Food Bank is located in our building, and for years has been operated with vision and compassion by Roslindale Congregational Church, our host and partner in ministry at 25 Cummins Highway in Roslindale Square. This is a concrete opportunity to take part in God's work of feeding the hungry, loving our neighbors, and learning more about poverty and hunger in Roslindale and beyond.

Opportunities:

• Help provide food.
• Volunteer to stock shelves, distribute food, or otherwise provide logistical support.
• Help raise awareness about hunger in Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, and beyond.

For more information about our involvement with Roslindale Food Bank or to get involved, please email the Social Justice Team or complete the online Contact Form.

Greater Boston Interfaith Organization

Hope Church is a member of the GBIO (Greater Boston Interfaith Organization), a dynamic, broad-based effort to coalesce, train, and organize the communities of Greater Boston across all religious, racial, ethnic, class and neighborhood lines for the public good. Right now, GBIO is organizing citizens of Boston around the issues of health care, elder care, and youth safety. If you are interested in any of these issues, inter-faith cooperation, or participatory democracy, GBIO is an organization for you!

Opportunities:

• Attend GBIO events with others from Hope Church.
• Support GBIO's issue campaigns by collecting signatures for ballot initiatives, calling senators, hosting or attending small group meetings or workshops, etc.

For more information about our involvement with GBIO or to get involved, please email the Social Justice Team or complete the online Contact Form.

hopeFound

hopeFound (formerly Friends of the Shattuck Shelter) works to end homelessness one person at a time by providing programs and services that help men and women achieve self-sufficiency and secure permanent housing. Another concrete opportunity to take part in God's work of providing shelter and refuge, loving our neighbors, and learning more about poverty and homelessness in Boston and beyond.

Opportunities:

• Participate in events with the Kitty Dukakis Treatment Center.
• Serve dinner, bake desserts, participate in fundraisers.
• Help build the relationship between Hope and hopeFound.
• Help raise awareness about homelessness in Boston and beyond.

For more information about our involvement with hopeFound or to get involved, please email the Social Justice Team or complete the online Contact Form.

Fast Track Grants

Fast-Track Grants are an expression of the richness and diversity of social justice commitments among Hope Church Covenant Partners (i.e., those who have joined Hope Church). This program provides a quick and easy process for Covenant Partners to request and secure grants ($500 or less) for social justice work, and so is a way to support and encourage participation in God's peace and justice. A grant may support a nonprofit organization, contribute to an event or activity, or provide help to someone in need.

Any Covenant Partner (i.e., any person who has officially joined Hope Church) is eligible to apply for a Fast-Track Grant. Applications are available on the partners' page of this website.

Social Justice Advocates

In addition to the projects listed above, we're always looking for new ideas, dreams, and visions! To initiate a ministry at Hope, follow the Advocate Handbook. Here's a summary:

A successful Social Justice Advocate:

• Typically makes at least a 6-month leadership commitment. Shorter periods will be considered for more time-limited campaigns.
• Recruits another Advocate to share leadership responsibilities.
• Organizes at least 2 events. These may include discussions, educational workshops, public demonstrations, fundraising walks, service events, etc., and they may take place at the church or elsewhere.
• Recruits a significant number of other people who agree to support and participate in the campaign on an ongoing basis.

When an Advocate accomplishes these basic goals, his or her campaign (the issue, organization or project) becomes part of the life of the church. For more information or to obtain a copy of the handbook, please email the Social Justice Team or complete the online Contact Form.