In the fall of 2010, a group of St. Philip Neri members met to explore what it means to be a Mission-Based Community. Following a program developed by Just Faith, the group read books, prayed together, and learned about the process and challenges of being part of MBC. At the end of the sessions, in a night of impressive spiritual clarity, we committed to support and follow a family of political refugees for one year. We formed the St. Philip Neri Circle of Friends. Lutheran Social Services paired us with a family of seven from Myanmar (formerly Burma). Our journey began on a dark night in February when the Burmese family arrived in their new apartment. Since then, we have been amazed at how the Spirit works through our group and brings out special gifts. Members have assisted the Burmese Family in so many ways. The St. Philip Neri Circle of Friends expanded, adding several ESL teachers (English as a Second Language). We have taught more than 15 adults and tutored children. We sponsored a community garden at Jackson Square, which opened the door to other refugee gardens with the help of funding from a special grant. (jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-03-19/story/recessions-vacant-lots-jacksonville-area-gardeners-hope-set-roots-citys) These Community Gardens provide sustenance for families in two different refugee communities in downtown Jacksonville.
St. Philip Neri and ICARE
In late 2023, the church council decided to join the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment (ICARE). ICARE faith communities come together from all over the Jacksonville metropolitan area to identify community problems through listening sessions; they study the impacts of those problems and research potential solutions. This annual process includes meeting with civic leaders to address and discuss these issues and culminates in the April Nehemiah Conference, when member churches meet with and request action from city leaders. Last month, 18 members of St. Philip Neri attended the event to show support for ICARE’s efforts related to the following issues.
Care for Creation: Several years ago, member churches expressed concern about continued flooding throughout our city. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection encouraged Florida coastal cities to do a Flood Vulnerability Assessment, advising that cities that complete this task would be eligible to receive up to $100 million dollars each year for projects related to sustainability. In 2021, ICARE pressed city leaders to commit to an assessment and in October 2023, the mayor’s office released the Jacksonville assessment. Anne Coglianese, Jacksonville’s Chief Reliance Officer, addressed the conference. She recognizes ICARE’s commitment to pressing leaders on this important project, which resulted in creation of her position and her mission to devising a cohesive plan to address flooding, extreme heat and other weather impacts.
Reducing Violence: In 2022, Jacksonville’s murder rate was the highest in the state. The City had implemented a gun violence intervention program but murders continued to rise. ICARE has identified a successful and proven solution, Group Violence Intervention (GVI), which was developed by an organization called the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College. ICARE has requested that Sheriff Waters contract with the National Network for Safe Communities to assess JSO’s GVI program. He has been opposed to an assessment and declined to participate in the Nehemiah Conference. ICARE will continue to work on this important problem.
Mental Health and Policing: Last year at the Nehemiah Conference, Sheriff TK Waters committed to assign his 911 coordinator to the task force of a new, 24/7 mental health crisis hotline called 988. He also committed to visit Miami to learn more about the Criminal Mental Health Project (CMHP), which has successfully diverted thousands of people with mental illness from incarceration. The program had also impacted the number of police shootings in Miami Dade County from 91 shootings in 2015, to only 13 police shootings in 2019. In December 2023, ICARE visited the Miami CMHP with Dr. Tracey Polson from the mayor’s office. Dr. Polson addressed the congregations at this year’s Nehemiah and she advised that the 911 and 988 divisions in Jacksonville are now collaborating with one another on call responses. Also, Cindy Swartz, who worked for the Miami project, is now consulting with Sulzbacher on an $8 million grant to expand mental health diversion programs for people with mental illness.
There is an ICARE gun violence vigil planned on May 13th (9AM), at the Historic Mt Zion AME Church on Beaver Street downtown. We are also invited to attend the ICARE Justice Ministry Celebration on Monday, May 20th, 2024 (7PM) at the Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, 3026 Woodlawn Road, Jacksonville FL 32209.
If you have questions about ICARE, please contact Deacon Dianne at dlarson@minervamedcomm.com or Joy Viau (904-635-4496).
