Saturday, June 29, 2013

RAAH - Religious Action for Affordable Housing - Barbara Wykes Award

Photo From: Mary Wakefield
Affordable Housing A2
Pauline Apartment progress 6/28/2013.
RAAH support & St. Francis part of this.

From Scott Wright On Thu, Jun 20, 2013:
Thank you all!  It was a wonderful evening!  Special thanks to Mary Wakefield and her team for the beautiful St. Francis hospitality !!  And, thanks RAAH - Religious Action for Affordable Housing, St. Francis Parish is proud to be a participating member of RAAH.    View photos of The Barbara Wykes Award presented by RAAH to St. Francis of Assisi Church for their commitment to supporting the creation of more affordable housing in Washtenaw County... See photos at:  https://plus.google.com/103301279807915546920/posts/QdEoJQU5uY2

From: Scott Wright  Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 2:31:01 PM
Subject: Re: Hip! Hip! Hur... RAAH St. Francis Parish!

Hello  ...   Now, prominently hung on the wall in the main entrance of St. Francis of Assisi Church,
the Barbara Wykes Award presented by RAAH is proudly displayed.

Did you see the event photos?  Thoughts?  See:  https://plus.google.com/103301279807915546920/posts/QdEoJQU5uY2

May our commitment to supporting the creation of more affordable housing in Washtenaw County be strengthened and long lasting!

From: Mary Wakefield
Hello Scott,
Though the numbers may physically be few the spirit is strong and willing as represented at the RAAH Annual Meeting.

Thanks for accepting the Barbara Wykes Award on behalf of St.Francis and for your work in making it a successful RAAH Annual Meeting.
Below are some thoughts that could be used in the FORUM/Canticle with a picture or two that were taken at the meeting:

 10 Congregations were represented when  Father Jim and St. Francis was presented the Inaugurual BARBARA WYKES AWARD

ST. FRANCIS, apart of RAAH an interdenominational community addressing affordable housing in Washtenaw County has been a leader

standing as a congregation that lives their beliefs of Christian Stewardship. Thru RAAH St. Francis has donated $30,600 dollars that has gone directly to affordable housing/supportive services in 

Washtenaw County. In the past year St. Francis has donated $34,000 to other facets of housing needs here in our county: Habitat for Humanity, Christmas in Action, rent support to Friends of the Master, family rent support thru Friends in Deed.

The priceless volunteer hours of service are hard to quantify. From physical labor to teaching each other about the infrastructure around us to leading advocacy, St. Francis does not hide its light under a bushel basket.

in Proverbs we are reminded " Speak out, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:9

I am very proud to be a member of such a community and will continue to serve on the RAAH Board as we put our Faith in action.

Barbara Wykes was one of the fonding members of RAAH ( Religious Action for Affordable Housing). Her social justice work covered Peace and Justice, Ecology, Citizens Association for Area Planning and raising awareness of social justice through her St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. She worked tirelessly with her kind firm approach. She could advocate without making people angry.

Barbara died of cancer in 2007. Those who new and worked with her will not forget how her own physical illness did not deter her from her passion to serve with compassion and results.

St. Francis of Assisi has been greatly honored with the Barbara Wykes Award from RAAH.

Mary M. Wakefield
Parish member
Secretary of RAAH

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