Innovations in Compassion - The Faith-Based and Community Initiative: A Final Report to the Armies of Compassion

[Excerpt] This Final Report to the Armies of Compassion prepared by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives offers an account of President Bush’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative (FBCI or Initiative) to the dedicated faith-based and other community organizations (FBCOs) that have joined in the battles against poverty, disease, and other social ills. The report emphasizes what matters most about the FBCI: measurable results achieved for millions in need across America and around the world through vibrant partnerships with the “armies of compassion” – the thousands of FBCOs that have partnered with government to serve their neighbors in need. It also offers a look at key government reforms and innovations that made these results possible. The report finishes with a glimpse toward the future of the FBCI and the foundation upon which the next generation of government and community leaders can build to achieve even greater good in the decades to come. Changing Lives highlights twelve areas of critical human need that have been particularly affected through expanded Federal partnerships with faith-based and other frontline nonprofits. The chapter highlights key results across these wide-ranging areas of need and stories revealing the deeper impact of the FBCI for individual organizations and the people they serve. Transforming Government explains how reforms led by the FBCI have secured a level playing field for faith-based organizations and reduced barriers to help small FBCOs or those new to partnering with government compete for Federal funds. The chapter also highlights some of the innovative funding models advanced by the FBCI that enable more effective partnerships between government and grassroots nonprofits, such as vouchers, mini-grants, and intermediary model grants. Strengthening Partners describes the Initiative’s diverse methods for building the capabilities of nonprofit organizations and the social entrepreneurs who lead them. These efforts range from technology-based instruction and in-person training events to the hundreds of millions of dollars invested in capacity- building and technical assistance grants. Volunteerism and Private Giving highlights President Bush’s efforts to expand volunteer service and private financial support for America’s FBCOs. Taking Root in States and Cities reveals how the principles of the FBCI are being replicated outside of Washington. Governors and mayors across America are embracing the vision championed by the FBCI as a practical way to engage the toughest challenges faced by their communities. These “laboratories of innovation” will play a key role in the future of the FBCI

Populations Experiencing Homelessness: Diverse Barriers to Employment and How to Address Them

People experience homelessness for many reasons including financial insecurity, a lack of affordable housing, and difficulty accessing services such as medical care. Effective employment programs take special care when serving individuals facing these barriers. This best practice brief outlines the common employment barriers for these populations and provides considerations for tailoring employment services and prioritizing supportive services to best meet their needs

Oak Foundation Annual Report 2012

The resources of Oak Foundation originated from an interest in the Duty Free Shoppers business which Alan Parker helped to build. Today, the Foundation comprises a group of philanthropic organisations based in various countries around the world.Oak Foundation was formally established in 1983. Early grants were made in Denmark to organisations supporting single mothers and torture victims (1983) and in Zimbabwe to a range of groups supporting vulnerable children and families, primarily at a community level (1984). Grants continued to be made annually in a range of countries until a new phase for Oak Foundation began in the early 1990s, when annual grantmaking began to increase and staff were hired to run substantive programmes. The first two programmes to get underway were Environment and Child Abuse, followed by four other programmes -- Housing and Homelessness, International Human Rights, Issues Affecting Women and Learning Differences. There is also a Special Interest Grants Programme, which funds medical research and a range of other efforts identified by the Trustees that do not fall into the other programme areas, and two national programmes in Denmark and Zimbabwe. Since its establishment, Oak Foundation has made over 2,700 grants to not-for-profit organisations across the globe. Oak Foundation has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and a presence in eight other countries: Belize, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ethiopia, India, the UK, the US and Zimbabwe.Oak Foundation is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees that includes Kristian Parker, Chair; Caroline Turner, Vice Chair; Natalie Shipton, Vice Chair; Jette Parker and Alan Parker. An Advisory Panel also supports the Foundation's work on a range of grant-making issues. Current members are Kathleen Cravero-Kristoffersson (President of Oak Foundation), Gary Goodman (Secretary for Oak Foundation), William Norris and Julie Sandorf. Funding decisions are made by the Board of Trustees, either individually or as a group. While the Board of Trustees meets twice annually, grants are considered on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year

Interventions that Address Safety Concerns Among Youth Experiencing

In this systematic review, literature regarding youth experiencing homelessness and the clinical interventions focused on safety towards youth experiencing homelessness were synthesized. Using two databases SocINDEX, and PsychINFO; 10 studies regarding clinical interventions met criteria for the review. Each study was analyzed in population, intervention, and findings; while contrasting and comparing the definition of safety and the safety concerns between the clinical interventions. The findings identified focus areas of safety which include chemical health reduction, promoting harm reduction, psychological health, resilience, and service utilization. The primary safety focus areas were reduced to chemical health reduction, promoting harm reduction, and psychological health. Implications for future research should focus on following through clinical intervention with youth who are experiencing homelessness as well as having larger randomized populations

Interventions that Address Safety Concerns Among Youth Experiencing

In this systematic review, literature regarding youth experiencing homelessness and the clinical interventions focused on safety towards youth experiencing homelessness were synthesized. Using two databases SocINDEX, and PsychINFO; 10 studies regarding clinical interventions met criteria for the review. Each study was analyzed in population, intervention, and findings; while contrasting and comparing the definition of safety and the safety concerns between the clinical interventions. The findings identified focus areas of safety which include chemical health reduction, promoting harm reduction, psychological health, resilience, and service utilization. The primary safety focus areas were reduced to chemical health reduction, promoting harm reduction, and psychological health. Implications for future research should focus on following through clinical intervention with youth who are experiencing homelessness as well as having larger randomized populations