Community of Health
Looking at the growth and development of the Jubilee Consortium during the last two years has been great. It is very gratifying that our understanding of urban churches as an obvious place to promote and support community health has taken hold. The exercise and healthy cooking classes for adults and boxing programs for young people have improved the quality of life of individuals but they have also promoted a sense of community among the participants.
I am very excited about the nascent work that we are doing in the area of community organizing and advocacy training. The possibility of using the synergy created by people interested in improving health for creating opportunities for, and an environment of, health and wellness in their neighborhoods is powerful. Always we are told that the only way to truly care for your health is to learn enough to be an advocate for yourself. Having a group of people who have learned the power of this in their own life and become committed to insuring that this power is shared with their families and neighbors can be revolutionary. Communities as a source of health and healing, safety and empowerment - that is the vision of Jubilee Consortium that inspires my involvement with the Jubilee Consortium.
The possibility of anchoring this “community for health” in the long term comes from the work with churches. Churches as community institutions can provide the longevity and consistency of location which is so important to creating community. In changing and challenging urban communities, the unique gift that houses of worship provide is their long term commitment to the wholeness of the community. Jubilee Consortium has shown that churches and communities can successfully partner in transforming and improving the quality of life of our neighborhoods and cities.