'We are the ones we've been waiting for' : a case study of the interfaith coalition building blocks for Wilmington

Douglas Dwight Gerdts

Etd

'We are the ones we've been waiting for' : a case study of the interfaith coalition building blocks for Wilmington

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MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Douglas Dwight Gerdts. 'we Are the Ones We've Been Waiting For' : a Case Study of the Interfaith Coalition Building Blocks for Wilmington. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/ba744c40-b41b-47fb-821e-a840cd0a1cab?q=2008.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

D. D. Gerdts. 'We are the ones we've been waiting for' : a case study of the interfaith coalition building blocks for Wilmington. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/ba744c40-b41b-47fb-821e-a840cd0a1cab?q=2008

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Douglas Dwight Gerdts. 'we Are the Ones We've Been Waiting For' : a Case Study of the Interfaith Coalition Building Blocks for Wilmington. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/ba744c40-b41b-47fb-821e-a840cd0a1cab?q=2008.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

Douglas Dwight Gerdts

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Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the process of formation, employing the method of a single case study, of a non-profit interfaith organization in Wilmington, Delaware designed to reduce city violence and attempt to ameliorate its causes. It started with one citizen's outrage at increasing shootings and the perceived lack of city and state government cooperation and positive action. After three years that initiative has resulted in an organization that is beginning, for the first time, to unify the city's diverse faith communities and hopefully leverage their moral force to reduce crime and its contributing factors. Moreover, this action did spark the city government of Wilmington to form the Hope Commission, an officially sanctioned and funded board with similar objectives but broader representation.This work documents the steps in formation (sometimes painful and chaotic), seeks the key factors that moved the process along, evaluates ICBBW's effectiveness, and hopefully provides some lessons for similar initiatives which might include such things as: (1) One main factor that kept the project alive in the face of divisions and frustrations was that the desired goal was never in question. (2) A key group member and founder was a bridge between the 'street' and the organizing group. He is known and respected by both. (3) The services of an organizational expert were enlisted at a crucial developmental moment. (4) The need to assemble the story and get it understood and credible with outside groups, i.e. funding organizations, proved to be a galvanizing factor forcing both clarity, simplicity, and urgency. (5) This organization has established a good foundation for positive impact, and has started to make real accomplishments including being the first to begin unifying diverse faith communities in Wilmington. ...

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