[saymaListserv] RSVP and Gulf Coast Listening Project

[Herb Walters, RSVP / Listening Project]

RSVP and the Gulf Coast Listening Project

 

Rural Southern Voice for Peace is a service organization supported by SAYMA.  We serve as the International Listening Project Training and Resource Center.  RSVP with the help of Friends throughout the region,  is currently conducting the Gulf Coast Listening Project (GCLP) which will address issues of poverty and  race that were raised in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  

 

GCLP will conduct in-depth interviews with survivors of Hurricane Katrina, enabling them to share their thoughts and feelings about:: 

1. Their Katrina experience  

2. Their immediate and unheeded needs;

3. Issues of race and poverty 

4.  Solutions and ideas for creating a more just and compassionate nation.

  

The Gulf Coast Listening Project (GCLP) is currently being organized by grassroots coalitions in four cities.  For example, in Columbia S.C. the project is sponsored by Columbia Friends Meeting (thanks to Harry and Rebecca Rogers), the Consumer Education Council and the Christian Action Council.   Friends are also involved in the GCLP projects in Atlanta (thanks to Bert Skellie ), New Orleans (thanks to Brad Ott) and Birmingham (Peter Furst).  AFSC Southeast Regional Office will be working with GCLP and Rural Southern Voice for Peace, will coordinate GCLP nationally.  RSVP is supported by Celo Friends Meeting and SAYMA.

 

GCLP will apply what is learned from our interviews to a national education and action campaign that will become a strong voice on issues of poverty, race and national priorities in our nation.  National organizations including Church World Service and Southern Poverty Law Center"s Teaching Tolerance Program,  are interested in helping with this phase of the project.  

 

Rural Southern Voice for Peace was founded in 1982.  RSVP has worked on a wide range of peace, justice and environmental issues since then.  We have conducted Listening and Diversity projects with North Carolina and Illinois Yearly Meetings and with Asheville and Atlanta monthly meetings.  

 

RSVP's  Listening Project has gained international recognition resulting from our work in the U.S. and projects in Serbia, Croatia, Nicaragua/Honduras and Palau. However, we remain a grassroots organization and our continued contact with Friends is very important to us.   The Gulf Coast Listening Project is an excellent example of how Friends can play an important role in our work.  We invite you to get on our mailing list so you can receive our annual newsletter and  check out our web site for general info. and updates on trainings and projects.

E-mail: info at listeningproject.info. Web: www.listeningproject.info.  Tel: 828-675-5933 

  

We send you love and blessings,  

Herb Walters, director;  Kathlene Stith, office manager; Merelyn McKnight, board chair.
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