Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 July 2000 — Page 2

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THE INDtANAPOUS RECORDER

FRIDAY, JULY 14,2000

UCSC convenes Urban Education Conference

2000 • 2001 HDIA1A PACEM/ITES AUDITIONS

Tuesday, July 18 and Wednesday July 19, 2000 at Conseco Fieldhouse

(TOME 01^ The

\c0 FIHLDi# ,0#* OJIANAPAC^E R 9 y ’ll) ^ *

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a high school graduate. For more information or an application, call 917-2500.

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By BARATO BRITT Recorder Correspondent

To meet the needs of the changing urban community, several local and national ministers in the Afri-can-American clergy have diversified their minis-

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today will be addressing community empowerment during a forum at the Indiana Convention Center.-^; “Basically, we decided to do this because a lot &f! the Black clergy is interested in starting schools," said Rev. Kenneth Sullivan, UCSC president. “We see this as a means of addressing social and economic

tries and are branching out into the educational estab- '^ s ^ ac * n 8 our community. The conference will help *' lishment. us t0 2 row ^ ministry as well as facilitate this , In recent years, several communities, including growing movement. • ,»• urban Indianapolis, have seen traditional ministry co " 1 P 0 ” ent °f the conference, Sullivan, evolve through the introduction of various K-12 ^ UCSC are hoping it will also help the coalition Christian schools, each armed with the focus of grow to reach clergy around the nation. Currently, the, instilling moral and faith-based values, while pro- coa htion is made up of seven Indianapolis schools, moting excellence in academics. According to local tw0 ,n a ^hool in Fort Wayne. Sullivan ministers, the evolution came in large part to the ^P 0116 ^ th at s,n ce the two-year organization began,, j growing community demand for a faith-based, value has been some interest to also create chapters in centered curriculum to save children in urban and ot f 1 1 er J s * ates - th® strong coalition, Sullivan, low-income families from the various plights faced in tha resources can be shared and a unified,, the inner cities. Originally, many of these schools ^ucation reform agenda can begin with the churchr .

began with day care ministries.

As the number of urban, Christian schools continue to grow, the need for collaboration has never been more apparent, according to the Indianapolisbased Urban Christian Schools Coalition (UCSC,) a group of ministers with private schools in various local urban areas. To meet that need, this week UCSC will convene Urban Education Conference 2000, an event which the ministers hope will answer the ques-

an institution they believe should be active on the education fiont. ,,, “No one knows better what is best for our children * than we do,” said Sullivan, who also recently authored ‘Let Our Children Go,’ which examines the state of

urban education and identifies steps to resolution. ! “We need to have access to our children to rescue ' them from being mediocre. People forget that, origi- ! nally, the church was very much involved in the !

tions and examine practical issues facing the start up e ducation of our children. Over time, we began to • j and maintenance of urban, nonpublic schools. The brother people with our children and lost control,^; , two-day conference takes place at North Star Chris- 11 s time * or us to ste P U P to t ^ e P** te a 9^! tian Academy, 5350 E. 38th St. and is open to the re « ain ownership, he added. “We have high ex, p U blj c tations and want this opportunity.” , ■ Specifically, the first annual conference will ad- . However, despite many obstacles, UCSCbelievfr dress curriculum, discipline, entrepreneurial educa- ‘f 8 ^ a,t ^ an( * foundation will help their movement aw^ jl tion and planning, among a wide variety of issues 0,6 c °I nn, * ,n Jy w J h J1 , . ch ^ 316 to Tfe ; I germane to the urban faith-centered education effort, .°^ t ^ ,s Adding movement, Sullivan Among those scheduled to tackle these various issues c u f e ^’. ,s reason enou gh f° r dieir faith. ^ include Dr. Vemard Gant, director Urban Schools Afncan-Amencan parents know when their chi Division of the Association of Christian Schools ^ re i* ^ •** served, he said. • | International; authorand school choice activist Mikel . R e g ,s ^a t,o n for Urban Education Conference2000j j Holt and former Congressman Rev. Floyd Flake, who ,s avai ! abe ca ** ing 544-2000. UCSC is alsQ».

accepting registration at the door.

the podium. Rev. Jackson called for ministers to take a HIV/AIDS test, motioning response from church ministers and city and state

representatives.

JESSE Continued from A1 taboo,” he added, noting how ministers must set the example for church members and communities.

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more. Our goal morally tonight,^; | to leave no one behind,” added !

Rev.Jackson.

Glenna Wright says she hopes | Blacks will begin to support eacb ! '

There is a severe problem with

Dr. Virginia Caine, director of our society building “first class other more and pool their resourceif. the Marion County Department of jails and second class schools,” Wright, who has heard Rev. Jack- ; Health, and other health officials remarked Rev. Jackson, leading son speak on previous occasion ; conducted a swab test using saliva the discussion towards equal op- believes that magnificent things ; in participants mouths. More than p^rntyfop^ysemne qnvarjous,, ,come frqpfc 9ombipqd efforts an<] ; 25 people including MayorPeterson sectors including>eduGatioa,health reach far beyond religious and in; ! and local ministers aldAg with Rev. care, employment and unbiased dividuaj constraints. , ^ j S

“Fate gives you

Jackson took part in tests during the

service.

“The ministers have a moral authority,” recognized Rev. Jackson. “When ministers take the test, men of the church will take the test... and then sex education is no longer

legal representation.

“We tend to see each other through a key hole,” he said, recognizing the limitations and actions resulting from a distorted outlook. “If we see through a door, we see more, do more and achieve

gives you a cruel hand

sometimes, and storms don’t need your permission to show up. Faith has a lifting power. God can make a way,” said Rev. Jackson, summing up his motivation to keep

hope alive.

Icy.Cc^nditidns May 1.x ist lor The Next 12 Ounees

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Official Beer of Indiana Black Expo

MEN Continued from A1 pleting the program, fathers re- Dr. Wallace McLaughlin, proceive a certificate and attend a gram director, says his focus regraduation ceremony at Christ mains on helping young fathers Church Episcopal Cathedral. become more involved with their Each class is numbered, and children. In addition, men receive Class 26 participants are finishing personal enrichment skills aimed up five weeks of classes. at developing self-confidence and Despite finding out about the a sense of importance within their program seven years ago, Jonathan communities. King, 26, recentiy started class ses- “If you know that you matter (in sions. King, who has seven chil- life and society), then you won’t dren, admits that he wants to make live a certain way. Without a sense a better life for his kids, and appre- of hope for the future, you live ciates help from staff members, despairing lives,” admitted Dr. “I’m stepping up (to become a bet- McLaughlin, noting how the prater father). It was the right time for gram strives towards building “a me to come in (and join the pro- noble legacy of fatherhood" among gram),” he said. Black men.

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William Boyd, 20, says he recognizes that Black fathers need encouragement to effectively dismiss lingering stereotypes. Although he did not graduate high school, Boyd is now studying to obtain his GED. Class lectures, he added, explore African-American history, and clearly uncover Blacks’ contributions within and beyond slavery. “If this program was around for our fathers, maybe most of the Black men out here would not be abandoning theirchildren, and just not wanting their kids,” Boyd said, vowing to make a difference in the lives of his children and family. Over the next three years, the Father’s Resource Program will receive $ 1 million from a national initiative, which will serve more than 300 young fathers. Nine cities across the nation will also participate and assist men with additional parental services. In addition, the program is relocating to a community based site, and addressing the needs of inner city mothers, fathers and children. While changes are on the horizon, a newly created agency. Fathers and Families Resource-Re-search Center, Inc., will direct the organization ’ s goals and programs while continuing to serve urban young fathers. As the Father’s Resource Program prepares for a new building, young men take footsteps towards fatherhood while being exposed to valuable educational resources and uplifting guidance. “I have dreams that my child is here with me now, and te’t sirul ing,” said expectant father Mike Smith, 20. For more informatiotOlbout the Father’s Resource PrqAttn call (317)630-2486.