Quad Cities Interfaith is partnering with the City of Davenport on the Weed and Seed Grant awarded to the City. The Weed and Seed Grant is a federal grant that was awarded to Davenport by the U.S. Department of Justice in the fall of 2009. The purpose of this grant is to coordinate resources  and programs within a specific area in Davenport. The target area is River Drive to Locust Street and Farnam to Division Streets.  This is a two part project. The first part is to “weed out” the inappropriate activities using law enforcement and community policing. The second part of the project is to “plant the seeds” to improve the lives of the residents by implementing neighborhood restoration and prevention, intervention and treatment.

      Quad Cities Interfaith is a proud partner in Davenport's Weed and Seed Project and our own Loxi Hopkins is spearheading the Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Program Committee that is developing and implementing a Youth Leadership Development Training Program for young people within the targeted area. QCI is facilitating leadership training from the Gamaliel Foundation to train youth on the basics of leadership skills as well as faciliate the youth in planning their own Youth Summit. The Youth Summit is May 15th at the Friendly House in which young people will build relationship, identify issues or problems and develop concrete actions they can take to improve their community. If you have a young leaders interested in getting involved, or a group of youth who might want to learn more, contact the QCI office for more information. 563.322.4910.

For more information, please visit www.weedandseeddavenport.org

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Quad Cities Interfaith will host an INREACH Training for member congregations and others looking to identify new leaders and strengthen congregations on Tuesday, March 16th at 6:30pm at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Davenport.

If your congregation wishes to partiipcate in this INREACH Training , please contact the QCI office to reserve your seats. 

An INREACH is a focused and disciplined six week effort to build community in congregations. Teams of trained church members conduct one to one visits with members of their congregation. Congregations are as strong or as weak as the relationships that bind them together. The INREACH is intended to strengthen those bonds.

In addition, the INREACH can invigorate and renew leadership, clarify congregational priorities and identify the concerns and self interests of members. The concerns and issues which surface regarding the larger community may become priorities for collective action through Quad Cities Interfaith

The In Reach is accomplished through One to One visits. A one-to-one visit is a 30-45 minute, face-to-face conversation for the purpose of building a relationship and understanding what really matters to that person. The purpose of One to one visits is:

1) Build Relationships

When people are in a relationship they can share, plan dream, create and get things done. Without relationships, people are powerless. Building relationships builds community.

2) Uncover Self Interests

Self Interests are the things that a person feels most strongly about. It is the things that motivate and drive them. Discovering these interests can help build the congregation, since people are more likely to get involved in things around their self-interests.

3) Develop Clarity

One-to-one visits allow people to express their feelings about things. When they talk about something, it helps to make that thing clearer to them.

4) Gather Information

Finally, a visit is an opportunity to gather information about the church, community and neighborhood. Visitors find out what is going on, and most importantly, what members are thinking and feeling.

A reminder that the QCI Leadership Assembly Meets tonight, Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 6:30 pm at a new location this month: 15th Avenue Christian Church - 3600 15th Avenue . Rock Island . See you there!

Quad Cities Interfaith held its first Fundraising Breakfast on Thursday, November 19th 2009 at the St. Ambrose University Rogalksi Center in Davenport.  The breakfast entitled Building Our Common Future, drew 120 people to hear about the work of QCI and meet the leaders who have committeed to work for justice. Attendess responded with more than $6,000.00 in donations that day and $19,000 in pledges! Funds raised go to support the issue work of QCI  and to develop local leaders in the community.

Thank you Quad Cities for making this first event a great success! Look for this to become an annual event.

If you would like to learn more about becoming an individual sustainer of the work of Quad Cities Interfaith, please contact staff at 563.322.4910. QCI now accepts monthly doantions thorugh ACH withdrawls. This service is provided by Vanco Services.

It's not too late to register for the Quad Cities Interfaith Fundraising Breakfast Thursday, November 19th from 7:30 am to 8:30 am at the Rogalski Center Ballroom on the campus of St. Ambrose Uniiversity, Davenport. This one hour event will include lay leaders, clergy and community members on the work of QCI and how it  impacts our community. Join us to learn more about QCI as we work to create a more just society. Thee is no charge to attend this event. Attendess will be asked to make a donation in support of QCI's mission.  To register, please call 563.322.4910.