Peace With Justice in Franklin, Indiana

This month, The General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) caught up with a grant recipient from our last cycle of Peace With Justice grants to ask how their project had turned out. This grantee, Bridges Alliance of Johnson County (BAJC), is a nonprofit organization that shares GBCS’s goal of supporting policies and initiatives that promote systemic economic justice and sustainable self-development. Through localized programming, BAJC collaborates with churches, agencies, local residents, and businesses to alleviate poverty in Johnson County, Indiana. The Peace With Justice grant was awarded to support one such program, “Surviving to Thriving.”

Though COVID-19 threw a monkey wrench into the original program design, BAJC adapted by switching to a combination of in-person and virtual classes. Church & Society concurred that learning to shift goals for optimal efficacy has been an important lesson of the pandemic. “Surviving to Thriving” drew fewer participants than planned, but that enabled BAJC to provide tailored individual attention to participants, as well as foster lasting connection and cohesion between cohorts. The group partnered with a local career services training facility, Central 9, to provide ‘More Than Ready’ job readiness training, and in 2021 the program was supported by a network of 39 active community volunteers who will remain accessible resources.

Participants completed a detailed life assessment upon intake measuring stability in 10 categories: food security, physical well-being, mental well-being, emotional well-being, work, finances, legal, childcare, power and autonomy, and purpose.  At “Surviving to Thriving” class completion, 90% of responses indicated participants had experienced an increase or remained stable in these 10 categories.

One participant shared her experience with us. “Poverty is a multifaceted issue that isn’t just about money or working harder. Working harder doesn’t get me out of poverty. When Bridges said they would help me build intentional friendships, I knew it was for me,” said Laura Segundo, Surviving to Thriving cohort and current Circle Leader.

“The program works exactly like it is supposed to. I feel more enriched, I do feel like I am making friends for a lifetime, and not to mention a job opportunity which is life changing. One of our allies presented me with a job opportunity and I’m excited to say that I took it!”

Church & Society is not currently accepting Peace With Justice grant applications. However, an announcement will be posted when we’re ready to start the next cycle – we appreciate your interest and patience!