History:
This coalition emerged in late 2002 as a result of interdepartmental conversations at Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, about the need to address issues of violence in faith-based communities. We quickly realized that a conference alone was not going to address long-term community needs for anti-violence and peace building. Cultural change would occur only through a long range plan sustained by a coalition of faith-based partners willing to commit themselves to the hard work of reducing violence and building a foundation of peace in all our communities. We are engaged in the early stages of coalition building and are working to grow exponentially in the coming months and years. In April 2003 we made direct contact with and sent this letter to over 400 faith-based organizations in the county.

Purpose:
The conference will bring together faith-based communities, area agencies, and interested individuals to investigate and discuss the degree and level of violence in Washtenaw County and in the larger society, and name its deleterious affects on individual human functioning, interpersonal relationships and the quality of life. It will explore how violent behavior and acts can be reduced, prevented and remedied. It will also provide useful, specific information regarding preventive and healing resources for those affected by violence, including available community-based services.

Goals:

1. To encourage dialogue between the faith-based communities and agencies in Washtenaw County about the problems of violence in society, especially in this geographical area, and its affects on each person who lives and works and worships here.
2. To develop the skills to engage in safety planning and living free of violence; and, to learn how to heal when affected by acts of violence on oneself, family and neighbors.
3. To establish the foundation for the development of a culture of peace in Washtenaw County and manifest or acknowledge current efforts to build of a culture of peace at the conference.

Objectives:

1. Participants will understand the affects of violence on the individual, family, and our faith-based communities in Washtenaw County.
2. Participants will be better prepared to develop a personal safety plan and live free of violence.
3. Participants will be able to access and be aware of services for themselves, family, and friends when victimized by the violent behavior of others.
4. Participants will be inspired to advocate for a safer, more peaceful community, as well as for adequate services for victims and survivors of violence.
5. Clergy, church staff, and ministry leaders will share their understandings of the affects of violence on the members of their congregations and on the congregation as a whole.
6. Clergy, church staff, and ministry leaders will share best practices and exchange useful strategies for assisting their members who experience or perpetrate violence in their lives.
7. Clergy, church staff, and ministry leaders will share and receive resources to develop a culture of peace beginning in their congregations.
8. To create a county coalition of faith-based communities to encourage and nurture on-going efforts that address violence and promote peace.