FOCUS Churches of Albany 275 State St. Albany NY 12210 518.443.0460 www.focuschurches.net Like Tweet 1. FOCUS Summer Worship 2. School Supply Drive 3. Advocacy Updates 4. Empty Bowls 2016 is Coming! 5. Senior Issues Forum 6. Summer Appeal 1. FOCUS Summer Worship FOCUS Summer Worship August 2 @ 9:30 am Join us at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 275 State Street. Parking is available BEHIND THE CHURCH, ENTER FROM Washington Ave. through Fort Orange Club or alley next to Accuprint. The Rev. Kathy Donley will be preaching, participants will lead a segment “focus on advocacy”. There will be an opportunity for a group photo after the benediction. Joe Paparone from FOCUS and Joanna Nadeau from Emmanuel will lead a teach-in on wage issues after the service. There will be nursery and child care for children through 6 years old. Children ages 7 and up stay in BREAKING THE PRACTICE AND TORTURE OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT At the FOCUS Joint worship service on July 5th, we were joined by Chris McNabb from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. After the service about 40 people joined him to learn more about the ongoing torture of solitary confinement in our prisons and some steps we can take. We gathered signed postcards asking Assemblymembers McDonald and Santabarbara to co-sponsor the HALT Solitary legislation, and we’ll be delivering those to the offices the last week of July. If you are interested in joining us on those visits, contact Joe . At the workshop there were some questions regarding the alternatives to solitary included in the HALT legislation – we gathered some info and it’s too much to include in the alert, but e-mail Joe and he can pass it along. DON’T KEEP HUNGRY KIDS WAITING The Child Nutrition Reauthorization is set to expire September 30th! These bills are critical supports for needy families who depend on food assistance throughout the year. Learn more about the bills here, and then tell Congress how important it is by sending a letter here. WAGE BOARD UPDATE The Fast Food Wage Board appointed by Gov. Cuomo should have their recommendations finalized by the end of this month, and things are looking good for a substantial minimum wage increase for fast food workers! At the last hearing, all three members of the board agreed that the wage should be raised to at least $15/hr, and they discussed details of implementation. Once they make the recommendations, there will be a period for public comment. We’ll provide links as soon as they’re July 2015—your donations make a difference Click Here to Learn More About the Summer Appeal 6. Summer Appeal FOCUS on Schools is almost here! Please continue to collect supplies at your site. SEFCU has just alerted us that they plan to donate 240 back backs to our project! Supply donations may be dropped off at the First United Universalist Society of Albany,405 Washington Ave., Albany, from August 24 through August 27, 9 am to 1 pm. Volunteers will be needed to pack and distribute supplies. If you can help, please call Belinda at the FOCUS office, 443-0460 or email her at [email protected]. 2. School Supply Drive 3. Advocacy Updates 4. Empty Bowls 2016 is Coming! Help is needed on the planning committee - Can you lend a hand? Please call or e-mail [email protected] 5. Senior Issues Forum There’s still time to register! Faith Communities Keeping Seniors Connected and Engaged Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Carondelet Hospitality Center, Latham, New York Rev. Susan Vincent- Cox will be the keynote speaker next week. Registration is free. Here is the link to the registration form and to the Schedule for 7/22. Call Albany Guardian Society’s registration phone line at 518-269-3976 or e-mail Albany Guardian Society at [email protected].