Media Release

 

For Immediate Release

 

December 6, 2004

 

Regarding:  UCM (United Congregations of Metro-East) Award

Contact:  Jan Daker, Media/Communications Chair 618-398-6715 or dakerjan@yahoo.com

 

 

The United Congregations of Metro-East received the Most Powerful Strategic Victory Award from the Gamaliel Foundation at the conclusion of their National Leadership Conference held in St. Louis this past weekend.

 

Gamaliel is a faith-based social justice advocacy foundation with 70 affiliates in 18 states and South Africa.  During Gamaliel’s celebration of Best Practice Awards Exhibiting Principles of Leadership Centered Organizing, UCM was singled out for the Most Powerful Strategic Victory.

 

UCM had an incredible year in 2004 with non-partisan, advocacy victories achieved with local, state, and federal public officials.  The major victories were:

 

Federal

·       Releasing $3.6 million to continue clean up of Jennison-Wright site in Granite City

·       Advocating for an amendment to TEA (Transportation Equity Act) Bill which will increase local hiring for highway and bridge construction in the St. Louis metro are

 

State/Local

  • Ongoing advocacy for the Venice Lincoln Charter School
  • Madison County Sheltered Care Home operations and funding continued
  • Registering 2040 new voters within 5 weeks
  • Being under consideration by Governor Blagojevich to have a seat on the statewide Health Care Justice Act Task Force

 

 UCM is an inter-faith power organization that goes beyond charity, seeking justice through empowered leadership.  UCM’s vision is to ensure a strong base of diverse, powerful and committed members with the courage to face and overcome the many challenges that confront our values. 

 

For more information, readers are encouraged to contact the United Congregations of Metro-East at (618)451-1458 –or- P.O. Box 166, Madison, IL  62060.