• Self-Development of People: The White Earth Reservation Partnership
• Good News from Hudson River Presbytery
• Self-Development in the Rockies
• One Great Hour of Sharing: Self-Development of People making a difference
• Self-Development of People Announces Grant Recipients
• New SDOP Funding Strategy for Overseas Partners
• South Task Force meeting
• Self-Development of People to Launch pilot program
• Self-Development for the Roma people
• CATA's participation in the United Nations
• Cahaba Center receives grant and expands services
• A humble homecoming
• "Celebrate Hope!" " SDOP celebrates 35 years
• The Women of Color Alliance (WOCA) van
• A Home of Their Own
• Self-Development of People Celebrates the Life of James Forman
• Stories that Make A Difference
• SDOP In Motion newsletter

Self-Development of People: The White Earth Reservation Partnership

By Margaret Mwale

Students learn farming on the White Earth Reservation. Photo by Kyra BuschImagine yourself and your community eating healthy, locally grown foods such as wild rice, flint corn and wild berries, foods that are low in fat and as a result improving your health! Imagine seeing fewer incidents of diabetes, having increased energy levels and a decline in doctor visits! Combine the populations of the countries of Haiti (8.5 million), Honduras (7.3 million), Malawi (3.3 million) and Swaziland (1.1 million) and this gives you roughly the number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes! According to a fact sheet by the American Diabetes Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a little more than 20.8 million Americans, or 7 percent of the population, have diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk of heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, kidney disease, dental disease and amputations. Recognizing the importance of growing healthy foods and the health problems caused by diabetes, the White Earth Land Recovery project located in the largely rural and agricultural section of northwestern Minnesota near Callaway decided to apply for a Self Development of People grant. In November 2007 the group was awarded a $20,000 grant.  [Read More]

Good News from Hudson River Presbytery

by the Rev. Chris Shelton

Youth Arts Group receiving $10,000 check.
Photo by Rev. Chris Shelton The Hudson River Presbytery chapter of SDOP was delighted to give our first grant in many years to the Youth Arts Group (YAG). Representatives from this group were even more delighted to accept a giant check for $10,000 at the September Presbytery meeting. This group of high school youth will use these funds to support their work with mentors in creating a radio program and a CD which carries their message of strength, determination and hope to other youth who are challenged by poverty and negative stereotypes. The Youth Arts Group was originally started by youth who had attended the summer camp of Rural and Migrant Ministries. An additional goal of YAG is to speak out in creative ways to improve the conditions of Migrant workers in the state of New York.

Self-Development in the Rockies

We see each other only once a year, so we try to make the most of that occasion. We’re the Self-Development of People Committee for the Synod of the Rocky Mountains, representing eight scattered presbyteries extending from the Canadian border to New Mexico. On May 4-5, 2007, we met in Denver, where we reviewed previous grants and planned regional workshops. Margaret Mwale, Associate for Community Relations at the Self-Development of People office (SDOP) in Louisville, conducted the required triennial training. The Hanmi Presbyterian Church hosted a community workshop, which Margaret led. More than 20 people attended, some interested in applying for a grant and others from helping agencies. [read more]

One Great Hour of Sharing: Self-Development of People making a difference

Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through the One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Our gifts support ministries of development that assist people in their lives and work thereby strengthening their families and communities, disaster assistance and hunger. Recognizing that the hope we have in Christ is lived out in our hope for one another, we respond with gifts that help our sisters and brothers around the world find the hope for a brighter future. The work of Self-Development of People is supported by the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Learn more about the difference your donation can make.

The Presbyterian Church through Self-Development of People has assisted thousands of people around the world in their quest for a brighter future as they struggle for social and economic justice. Learn more about the difference your donation can make.

Learn how to promote the One Great Hour of Sharing offering at your church.

Self-Development of People Announces Grant Recipients

Over $200,000 Awarded

Twice a year, the National Committee of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Self-Development of People (SDOP) program, which works towards the empowerment of poor and oppressed people in this country and around the world, gathers to make funding decisions on applications received from potential partners. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, SDOP a part of the Relief and Development programs of the General Assembly Council helps Presbyterians and others establish partnerships with oppressed and disadvantaged communities by providing grants to groups that create and manage local development projects. Funding decisions are made in May and November. The 31 elected committee members at their May meeting in Savannah, Georgia, awarded $241,200 in grants. [Keep reading this article]

New SDOP Funding Strategy for Overseas Partners

En Español

For the next three years Self-Development of People (SDOP) will engage in a new strategy for entering into partnership with communities of economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people outside of the United States. Beginning in 2007 we will establish (and or continue) partnerships with six intermediaries. They are:

• Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (C.E.O.S.S) in Egypt
• Ecumenical Church Loan Fund (E.C.L.OF) in Africa minus Egypt
• Regional Ecumenical Center for Consulting and Service (C.R.E.A.S) in Argentina
• Ecumenical Coordination of Service (C.E.S.E) in Brazil
• Development Promotion Group (D.P.G) in India
• Women's Development Network in Central America

In addition to the intermediaries, we have identified The Dominican Republic as the country for focused funding during these three years. We are working with different partners in Dominican Republic (religious, non-government organizations and grass-root community groups) to determine how best to facilitate our work there.

Throughout this process we will be evaluating this strategy. Prior to this pilot project ending the National SDOP Committee will determine it's funding strategy for future years.

At this time SDOP is no longer accepting applications from individual groups outside of the United States.

South Task Force meeting

New Orleans, Louisiana
by John Etheredge

It was a good decision. What decision you ask? The decision for the South Task Force of the Self-Development of People to meet in New Orleans, La. One reason is because a community workshop was held at the Berean Presbyterian Church, 1629 Simon Bolivar Ave.

There is a saying, "you would have had to been there," to understand how a group of women from Mobile, Ala., stole the show. Self-Development of People funded the Bay Area Women Coalition, Inc. project in 2001. This community of several thousand saw their community being taken over by drugs, deteriorating houses and a city council that wrote the community off. The community said enough is enough. The women and a few men organized themselves. Their mission was to serve the Trinity Gardens community by providing decent housing that is affordable to low and moderate income families. To provide a safe urban community and consistent support and service through educational and cultural programs. [Read more]

Self-Development of People to launch pilot program

SDOP to concentrate funding in Dominican Republic 2007 – 2010

The Self-Development of People ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has announced a pilot program that will begin in 2007 and concentrate a portion of the grants it awards to the economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people specifically to groups in the Dominican Republic. Groups who receive awards must document that the programs for which they are seeking funding are owned and operated by the group, and that the program will directly benefit and promote long-term change in their lives and communities. [Read more]

Self-Development for the Roma people

European societies and churches have always been struggling deeply with everything that smacked of heresy and loose morals. They felt threatened by anything that flouted their norms.

Roma (also known as Gypsies) were unsettled, dark and spoke a different language; they were accused of being involved in witchcraft. It was easy to produce prejudices and for the bad images to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. During their long history Roma became enslaved and faced many problems including thousands of them being sent to concentration camps and to death by Hitler.

It's hard to imagine but the situation of Roma in some Central and Eastern European regions shows a lot of similarities with the social, economic and human rights situation of communities in developing countries. A recent report by UNDP, the development agency of the United Nations, described the situation of the Roma “as equally bad as in Sub Sahara Africa.” But with an extra burden other than Africa — bitter cold winters.

One of the key elements that seem to be missing in the development effort of this community is the involvement of the Roma themselves. This extra commitment opportunty is to assist Roma communities to identify their own needs and to find their own starting point for a change.

E053728
Goal: $1,000,000

CATA’s participation in the United Nations

An interview with two members of the board of directors

For the last two years, CATA (El Comité de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agrícolas) has been participating in the United Nations as a non-governmental organization (NGO). This year, CATA has become a member of the CONGO Committee on Human Rights (CONGO is the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations), and more specifically has been participating in the CONGO Sub-Committee on the Human Rights of Immigrants and Refugees. As a part of this group, CATA collaborated in the organization of a workshop, “Affirming the Human Rights of Women Migrants: Legal and Social Challenges,” during the Commission on the Status of Women at the end of February at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
[Read more]

Cahaba Center receives grant and expands services

By Mark Autrey

The Cahaba Drop-In Center in Selma has received a $20,000 grant from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to expand the center’s activities.

Lewis Fincher was one of the center’s leaders who, with the help of Patricia Martin, Lee Maxwell and others, prepared the grant application. The grant was from the church’s Self Development of People Program which provides groups with resources to help themselves. The grant recipients must plan and direct the program, which the funds support. [Read more]

By Philip Walzer
The Virginian-Pilot

WINDSOR, N.C. — For 89 years, the Rev. St. Paul Epps has quietly pursued Jesus and justice.

In the 1960s , Epps became the top black person in the hierarchy of the U.S. Presbyterian Church, still shunning the spotlight.

Saturday (October 29, 2005), he won’t be able to avoid it.

Epps will serve as the honorary grand marshal of Norfolk State University’s homecoming parade, waving at the crowds from a convertible.

For Epps, it will be a homecoming, too.

[Read More]

"Celebrate Hope!" "Bring Forth Justice to the Nations!" SDOP celebrates 35 years

SDOP celebrates 35 years of giving as ‘heart and soul’ of Presbyterian church

by Evan Silverstein

SACRAMENTO, CA — About 150 people turned out Saturday night to celebrate the 35th birthday of the Presbyterian Church’s Self-Development of
People (SDOP)
program, which empowers poor and oppressed people in this country and around the world.

The anniversary dinner at a hotel here included speeches from high-ranking officials of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and past and present SDOP staff, as well as personal stories

John Detterick, executive director of the GAC, presented a ceramic cross to SDOP Director Cynthia E. White. Photos by Evan Silverstein

from some of the people who have benefited from SDOP's ministry, launched in 1970 by the former United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

SDOP, now part of the PC(USA)’s Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD), helps Presbyterians and others establish partnerships with oppressed and disadvantaged communities by providing small grants to groups that create and manage local development projects.

[Read more]

"Our WOCA van"

"It is through Self-Development of People fund that this dream has become a reality."

When we first began discussions to purchase a van. many of us didn't believe we could really have get a decent van. We spoke about it but no one really gave it much thought afterwards, it just seemed to fade into thin air. Looking back on it now, I wondered if many of us felt we didn't really deserve the van or how low had our self-esteem gotten that we felt our dreams slipping away. Many of us were transplants from states like, California, Arizona, Texas and Washington State, where cultural awareness is not an issue. But once I learned about the Women of Color Alliance (WOCA) I wondered if this organization could meet my needs as well.

I came to WOCA with hopes to meet women who looked and sounded like me. and that is what I found. I found a home away from home. The women strong and vibrant shared with each other their dreams and hopes to create a place safe for women of color to come to.

Women of Color Alliance, Boise, Idaho: left to right: Yolanda Martinez, Gloria Mabbutt, Mary Lu Owens, Adriana Solis-Black and Jennifer Gadaleto. Photo by Sonya Rosario

Because of the work that we are doing on building cross-cultural alliances we can also see how this van will bring women together as they journey through Idaho. It is through Self-Development of People fund that this dream has become a reality. Sending out the photos of the new van to our sisters in Idaho has caused a stir of excitement. Seeing this beautiful 2002 mini van has made us feel good about the journey we will all be taking together, along with our struggles and dreams. Having the support from Self-Development of People Fund will give us the ability to now go where we are truly needed without worry if the car will make it. This van will give us visibility and a presence in the communities. Seeing one or two women get out of car is okay...seeing seven to eight women get out of a van sends another message, help and hope has arrived.

A Home of Their Own

By Casey Sanchez

"This is a 360 degree turnaround," said Miguel Ambriz. "I'm very proud"

Since moving from Mexico six years ago, Ambriz has spent the last five years as a day laborer [jornalero], hustling work at six a.m. from an Albany Park street corner as a painter, dry-wall hanger and carpenter.

For the first time in many years, Ambriz has a place to wait inside where the contractors will come to him and he won't have to fight his way through a crowd of men to get a job. On Thursday, December 16, the Latino Union and the day laborers of Albany Park officially opened their workers' center at 4174 N. Elston (corner of Avers).. [Read more]

Self-Development of People Celebrates the Life of
James Forman
By Cynthia E. White

It would be true to say that the action of the 1970 General Assembly, which established the National Committee on the Self-Development of People, had its roots in the Christian gospel from its very beginning.

John Conventry Smith

John Conventry Smith continued, “Moreover, in the last century and a half, Presbyterians, through their various judicatories and agencies, have participated in such development. Both in the USA and overseas, sometime intentionally and sometimes unintentionally, they have contributed to the development of whole people – economically, politically, socially, and spiritually. [Read more]

Rural Youth Establish An Economic Base

The R.E.A.D.Y. (Re-thinking Excellence for the Advancement of Developing Youth)/P.I.T.C.H. (People in the Community Helping) organization realized a need for youth in their rural community in southern Mississippi to establish an economic base. The odds of us securing employment within our communities were stacked against us. What choices did we have? Yard maintenance? This field is highly competitive even amongst those who are skilled. Baby sitting? The opportunities are limited, and they don’t pay much. So members of the R.E.A.D.Y. organization, the youth component of P.I.T.C.H., decided to seek funding from the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People to develop a youth-owned and youth-run mobile concession trailer. [Read more]

SDOP approves additional funds

National Committee on the Self-Development of People approves additional funds to partners affected by tsunami and to families living in abandoned school house in Santo Domingo

At its meeting earlier in January, the National Committee on the Self-Development of People approved an additional $5,628 to the Varalakshmi Fishermen Group in Kothapatnam, India.

SDOP initially entered into partnership with this group of thirty fishermen near the Bay of Bengal in September 2003 by purchasing six fiber boats, motors and nylon netting. All of them were either damaged or destroyed in the devastating tsunami. The additional funds will assist the fishermen and their families in getting their lives back to normal. [Read more]

Men from Varalakshmi Fishermen group preparing to take boat out. Photo by Cynthia White.

View a photo album for this article.

Changing Perceptions

The following article was written by Paul Rader, a Self-Development of People National Committee Member. In this article Paul shares how practically all of his perceptions of the Dominican Republic were changed after his experience there during our May 2004 National Committee Meeting. [Here's Paul's story...]