Purpose

The Organization concentrates on assisting people from underserved communities build just and caring communities that nurture people, spur enterprise, bridge differences, foster fairness and promote civility. We are deeply troubled by the debilitating impact of persistent poverty and racism on the human spirit and on community life in our region; therefore we seek funding opportunities to reduce the health disparities in areas where poverty prevails and race divides. Throughout the region, we are tackling society’s toughest problems in new and hopeful ways. We are also fostering responsibility by empowering people to improve their own lives and contribute to the common good. We are reaching out to include a broader range of people, especially those with the least and power in society, to participate in resolving public health issues. And we are building bridges across lines of differences, especially race and class, to strengthen community life and overcome persistent poverty and reduce health disparity. We see the community not only as underserved, but also as an essential force in overcoming some the deepest problems of our time.

The organization will place special emphasis on community building that seeks to assure the well-being of children, youth and families; bridge the fault lines of race and class; and invest in communities’ human and natural resources. B.E.A.M. will accomplish this developing coalitions working across race, ethnic and class lines on local, community issues in ways that build lasting capacity in their communities to solve problems. The coalition is a formal alliance of individuals and organizations representing diverse stakeholders in an effort to come together for joint learning and action. Rooted in BEAM’s purpose and values , are health and wellness programs designed to assist the churches to build or rebuild strong, inclusive wellness programs that emphasis: access to preventive care services such as fitness and nutrition seminars and activities, health assessments and technical assistance to verify successful completion of proposed wellness program. By providing such services to underserved individuals would gain needed access to preventive care services, a vehicle for giving voice to all, informed public discussion of progress and barriers to health and individual empowerment skills to build lasting capacity within the local community to solve their own problems and gain respect. In essence, BEAM carries the hope of nurturing creative approaches to solving health care problems, reducing health disparities and building bridges across ethnic lines in communities.

We expect each church to define its own health related issues, assets and strategies. We seek to support a broad range of churches working on a wide array of health issues while using various approaches to solve them. This initiative is directed at stimulating creative ways diverse groups can address health care concerns. This work is not intensive, but it does require commitment of time which will bring about great benefits with very little risks injury. While holding this vision, we recognize formidable barriers to its achievement in our highly divisive culture and in this region where community dynamics are influenced by a unique history of racial ethnic and class divisions. Through our program, BEAM will provide the necessary support for churches to build the capacity of disenfranchised people and their organizations to participate in making public health decisions, taking responsibility for changing their live and the community they live in. This organization seeks to solve problems with committed people of all ethnic background and economic background who together are willing to take the challenges involved in breaking down barriers that isolate them from each other and weaken their community.

 

Vision

Making a Difference By:

  • Providing economic development opportunities for both the community and the local Institutions.
  • A collaborative partnership between the local churches and health care agencies.
  • Providing the technical assistance support.
  • Providing a 'train the trainer' model within local churches.
  • Church representative.