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Who We Are
At Bethel New Life, we:
* Are rooted in faith; God calls to be about the work of enabling the fullness of life for all, and a healthy, sustainable community
* Are faith-based, focusing on our West Side Chicago community. We work towards making this place a model of what can happen when people work together for the common good. We are a local organization with a national perspective.
* Are community directed. Most of our board members are rooted in the community; Bethel functions through major participation of residents on Boards and committees and block clubs, participating churches, staff.
* Use an "asset based" approach, building on the strengths and capacities of the people and the place, starting with what we have, with what people know and want. We turn liabilities (like brownfields) into opportunities for "smart growth" in an urban community context.
* Are holistic, understanding the connections between a decent place to live and a living wage job for healthy families, and child care, quality education, transportation and access to health care for sustainability.
* Seek justice for all people, advocating and impacting systems so that there might be fairness, opportunity and a future regardless of color, economic status or nationality.
* Work in partnership with churches, corporations, government, and other groups towards a healthier, sustainable community.
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