What does RCNO Training Center offer?
RCNO offers the training, tools and experience to assist your congregation/organization in
formulating public policy responses and program innovations to solve pressing problems in your
community. We accomplish this through national and regional trainings, and through mentoring
relationships and technical assistance provided for clergy and lay leaders. We also engage
participants by forming policy committees to craft public policy solutions that are in the
interests of our constituents. Once a proposed solution has been deemed viable, ordinary
people from within the ranks of RCNO congregations/community organizations engage in community
organizing activities to win the policy solutions.
How can public policy work and community organizing help me in meeting needs in my community?
Community organizing enables your congregations/community organizations to have a voice in
the policies and programs that impact your community. The first lesson that you must learn is
that every government and/or corporate practice that impacts your community is established as a
result of a policy decision. Programs evolving out of public policy decisions are designed to meet the
immediate needs of individuals in your community. These programs may or may not meet the needs of your
families. Therefore you must have an organized voice in these policy and program decisions.
What type of community organizing do you engage in? What are your limits?
RCNO Training Center engages in faith and community-based organizing efforts. RCNO does not participate in partisan political activities.
What is the basis for your work?
RCNO Training Center operates under the assumption that all Americans have the right and responsibility
to participate in the public policy and program decisions that affect their daily lives.
How are your strategies or tactics similar or different to those employed in the Civil Rights Movement?
RCNO Training Center employs post-Civil Rights Movement strategies and tactics to meet its mission. RCNO
draws on the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement to demonstrate that ordinary people that commit themselves
to enacting equitable public policies and programs can achieve extraordinary benefits that improve the lives of all Americans.
Does your work exclusively address the needs of ex-offenders and their families?
RCNO Training Center works with a wide range of constituencies. However, RCNO recognizes that the
conditions of ex-offenders and their families provide an intersection to impact a multitude of problems
facing the communities where its groups live, work and worship. Housing, healthcare, education,
employment, youth development and personal responsibility are just a few of the issues that arise out
of working with ex-offenders and their families.
What do you mean by "prophetic" engagement?
RCNO defines "prophetic engagement" as a process that reminds congregations/community organizations that it
is their right and responsibility to organize themselves into permanent organizations to protect the interests
of those that are often marginalized in their communities. Prophetic engagement also requires congregations/community
organizations to remind, partner and compel public policy makers to enact policies and programs that ensure that all
Americans, regardless of race, creed or economic status, participate fully and equitably in the opportunities that
arise out of these policies and programs.
Why do you focus on African Americans? Do you work with other ethnic groups?
RCNO Training Center works with all ethnic groups. In 1991, RCNO made a conscious institutional decision to
focus its efforts primarily on African Americans after observing the interests of blacks being neglected, marginalized
and/or under-appreciated by mainstream organizing networks. We partner with a variety of stakeholders and advocates
concerned with urban revitalization.
What is your relationship with the government? Do you receive government funds?
RCNO Training Center invests significantly in creating public/private partnerships. Some partnerships require government
participation. On rare occasions RCNO Training Center accepts government funds.
Who are your supporters?
Congregations, community organizations, academics, foundations and corporations support RCNO Training Center's work.
What are RCNO's role and responsibilities as an intermediary?
RCNO Training Center's role is to provide culturally competent capacity building and support for our affiliates. RCNO is responsible for ensuring
that its congregations/community organizations participate fully in public life.
What are the requirements, including costs, for being an affiliate?
RCNO Training Center requires that congregations/community organizations commit themselves to building
broad-based, multi-issue organizations to revitalize, protect and service the communities where they live, work
and worship.
RCNO Training Center's costs are determined by the level of affiliation a congregation or community organization
desires to have with it. RCNO secures funds from foundations, corporations and individuals to support its training,
technical assistance and capacity-building services. The cost of trainings and services is, therefore, minimal.
Thank you for your interest or participation in our work.
For more information, contact our office at (323) 234-8154, or info@rcno.org.
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