Interchurch Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment

Overview

The Interchurch Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment, more commonly referred to as ICARE, is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization based in Jacksonville, Florida. It is a faith-based, multi-issue, direct action community organization that comprises 38 congregations across Duval County, representing over 30,000 residents. ICARE is incorporated in Florida as a tax-exempt and politically non-partisan entity[1][2].

Mission and Vision

ICARE's mission is to powerfully address citywide concerns related to justice and fairness by leveraging collective people power to influence elected officials and community leaders. This is achieved through grassroots organizing, focusing on issues such as crime, low graduation rates, homelessness, and employment[1][3]. ICARE's vision is for communities of faith to come together annually to advocate for justice[1].

Method of Action

ICARE operates using a structured approach:

• Listening Process: Each fall, ICARE conducts a grassroots listening campaign where citizens engage in small house meetings to identify community concerns.
• Research: Trained committees research these issues to develop evidence-based solutions.
• Action Assembly: ICARE holds a Nehemiah Action Assembly in the spring, where leaders engage with public officials to secure commitments on proposed solutions.
• Follow-Up: The organization monitors the outcomes of these initiatives[1].

Impact

ICARE has been involved in several community initiatives:

• Juvenile Justice: Successfully pressed for the implementation of a Restorative Justice program, resulting in a decrease in out-of-school suspensions and increased use of civil citations for nonviolent youth[2].
• Early Childhood Education: Advocated for increased funding for full-day pre-kindergarten programs, leading to more students accessing quality education[2].
• Transportation: Led campaigns to improve local bus infrastructure, enhancing job accessibility for low-income areas[2].

Collaborations

ICARE is part of the Direct Action and Research Training (DART) Network, which facilitates statewide collaborations on issues like juvenile justice reform in Florida[5]. Through these partnerships, ICARE has contributed to legislative changes, such as the expansion of civil citations for eligible youth[5].