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Accomplishments in North Carolina

1.   A multi-racial interfaith body of Bishops and Religious Executives has been organized to take a leadership role in a statewide organizing drive. The Bishops and Religious Executives have participated in community organizing training and discussions about how to build a powerful constituency for change in North Carolina. The group of religious leaders has strong ties to the work of broad based interfaith coalitions operating in the ground (Charlotte HELP, Winston Salem CHANGE, Durham CAN, and the statewide NC Latino Coalition).

2.  One hundred and five diverse Pastors from different faiths participated in leadership development and community organizing training sponsored by the groups of Bishops and Religious leaders.

3.  Local broad based organizations operating in Mecklenburg, Forsyth, Orange, Durham and the NC Latino Coalition received dedicated technical assistance from organizers with years of experience in the area of building powerful statewide coalitions.

4.  Two of the local broad based organizations worked with the NC Latino Coalition and organized two “Citizenship Day” in partnership with the NC Immigration Layers Association. The goal was to support immigrants through the process of applying for citizenship. The citizenship action in Charlotte was sponsored by three leaders of the NC Congressional Delegation.

5.  The group of Bishops and Religious Executives partnering with 80 diverse leaders from across the state implemented a town hall meeting conversation with Gubernatorial candidate Beverly Perdue. The conversation focused around immigrant integration, access to health care, jobs, living wage and economic workforce development The Democratic Candidate agreed to attend as many local Assemblies of groups connected with IAF as possible before the November election. She also agreed to  meet with Bishops and  Religious Executives  if elected in order to develop specific policies in the areas described above.

6.  Local broad based organizations are currently working on planning Delegates Assemblies in four different Counties with private and public leaders. It is expected that at least 1,200 diverse people will participate on local meetings with decision makers and will discuss specific policies that will impact the life of thousands of North Carolinians. We are currently arranging a similar meeting with Republican Gubernatorial candidate.

7.  Over 200 diverse leaders have attended training on community organizing training in different parts of the state.

8. Local broad based organizations implemented four public assemblies with attendance of 1,450 diverse leaders, representing over 100 institutions from the civic sector in North Carolina. Some of the main accomplishments include: