White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Director Josh DuBois Joins the Signing

Photos available for media use on Flickr

Wilmington, DE – Praising the hard work and positive difference faith-based organizations provide each day throughout the state, Governor Jack Markell today created through his 33rd executive order the “Delaware Council of Faith-Based Partnerships. “ This new Council recognizes the significance of faith-based organizations in addressing many significant social needs, and will work to establish partnerships between government agencies and faith-based organizations to help fight poverty, expand access to health care, promote education and improve public safety.

“Regardless of denomination or geography, in every corner of our state, someone has heard and answered the call to serve their neighbor,” Markell said. “Members of faith-based organizations offer up tens of thousands of volunteer hours and countless resources to improve our communities. The Council should serve as a place for those organizations to turn to help harness this potential and this power. It’s about giving groups a chance – if they wish – to work together to make an even greater difference.”

Markell was joined at the signing by more than thirty leaders from faith-based organizations; by Joshua DuBois, the Executive Director of President Obama’s Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships; Lt. Gov. Matt Denn, Mayor Jim Baker and others.

“On behalf of President Obama, I thank you for bringing this council to fruition,” Dubois said. “While government is critically important, government alone will never solve the problems facing our communities. We have to connect and partner with faith-based and non-profit organizations. Because of visionary leadership in your state, you have a formal mechanism to do the same thing through the Council of Faith-Based Partnerships. Families will be able to better access services in improved ways because of this Council.”

Lt. Governor Denn has been an active advocate for bringing faith-based non-profits together to collaborate on solving problems.

“This is an important step forward in what has been a blossoming effort in recent years to take advantage of the talent in the faith-based and non-profit sector in our state,” said Denn. “For many folks, places of worship are central places in their life and places they turn to for guidance and assistance. They are doing great work. This Council will give them the opportunity to do more together.”

Specifically, the executive order provides the Council the following powers, duties and functions:

(a) Work closely with faith-based and community-based groups, charitable organizations, private foundations, voluntary associations, educational institutions, and other non-profit service organizations to promote volunteerism and community service;

(b) Develop partnerships between faith-based groups and executive branch agencies that will facilitate the missions of those organizations in areas such as education, social services, health, and housing;

(c) Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among faith-based organizations whereby such organizations can work together to improve delivery of services in the community;

(d) Promote innovation and model programs and initiatives, and share best practices among faith-based groups and organizations;

(e) Coordinate Council activities with those administered by private, faith-based and governmental organizations to ensure that services are rendered efficiently and that they are not duplicated;

(f) Develop sustainable funding through private sources to support the objectives of the Council and the collaborative efforts to which Delaware faith-based organizations are devoted.

The Governor will appoint at least 9 members to the council, and its memberships will seek to represent the theological and geographic diversity of our state.

Executive Order 33 is available online and photos are available for media use on Flickr.

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