Relief, Rehabilitation and Development Some Issues/Ideas Webinar 2 October 7, 2009

Tackling the Impact of Predatory Lending from Multiple Angles Relief Relief Provide some subsidy to help with certain bills Provide some subsidy to help with certain bills Individual/Household Development Individual/Household Development Put the person/household through a financial literacy program Put the person/household through a financial literacy program Community Development Community Development Develop and pass out info flyers on dangers of pay day loans Develop and pass out info flyers on dangers of pay day loans Work with local lending institutions, esp. community development credit unions to offer alternative loan products Work with local lending institutions, esp. community development credit unions to offer alternative loan products Advocacy Advocacy State: Reform usury laws State: Reform usury laws National: 36% interest cap on pay day loans National: 36% interest cap on pay day loans

Key Issues in Relief-Rehabilitation-Development Question: What about doing relief to build relationships as a bridge to sharing the gospel? -Doing relief in a “non-crisis” is harmful What is a crisis? Example from Philippines' church savings group (WHH pgs ) -Can be difficult to move from relief to development with the same individual/community

Key Issues in Relief-Rehabilitation- Development Question: How can we help our church move beyond relief to get involved in development? -Teach the harm of inappropriate relief -Find out what programs/resources already exist in your community/area. Asset Mapping -Need to focus. It might be ok to not be involved in relief

Key Issues in Relief-Rehabilitation- Development Question: I want to work more relationally and developmentally with people but how do I get started? - Work with Needy and Receptive people/communities

Working with Receptive Individuals and Communities

Receptivity to Change Continuum There is no problemThere is no problem –Satisfied with things as they are, sees no problem, no reason to change There may be a problem but it is not my responsibilityThere may be a problem but it is not my responsibility –Person believes cause of problem and its solution lie with others Much time and energy will be needed to try and help people change these attitudes and there is little guarantee that change will occur

Yes, there is a problem, but I have my doubtsYes, there is a problem, but I have my doubts –Person skeptical about proposed solutions There is a problem, but I’m afraid of changing for fear of lossThere is a problem, but I’m afraid of changing for fear of loss –Person has fears, often well founded, about social or economic loss These attitudes reveal the need for more understanding by outsiders of how people are evaluating risks and rewards and/or better methods of communicating

I see the problem, and I’m interested in learning more about itI see the problem, and I’m interested in learning more about it I’m ready to try some actionI’m ready to try some action I’m willing to demonstrate the solution to others and advocate changeI’m willing to demonstrate the solution to others and advocate change These 3 attitudes are increasingly open and confident and come from people who are receptive to engaging in the change process

Key Issues in Relief-Rehabilitation- Development Question: How to move beyond doing relief when working with illegal immigrants? -Avoid Paternalism “Habitually providing resources that a person can provide for themselves. Habitually doing for someone what they can do for themselves.” Note some varieties of paternalism (resource, labor, knowledge,spiritual, managerial)

Creating Your Benevolence Policy Some Questions to Ask Whom to you want to help? – Church members/regular attendees – Friends/family of church members – Neighbors of the church – Target group of church outreach – Referrals from agencies – “Cold calls” Geographic boundaries? % of benevolence budget that will be used for relief…for development? How often will you consider helping someone?

Creating Your Benevolence Policy Some Questions to Ask Different limits of assistance for members... Non- attendees? Always help with___ Never help with ___ When will you require a Plan of Action? – See Guidelines for Benevolence sforbenevolence.pdf sforbenevolence.pdf Policies are publicized to the church body by ___ and to the public by ___

Questions?