TakingITGlobal: Inspirer, Informer, Impliquer

PACT is an interfaith coalition of diverse congregations working together for social and economic justice in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Founded in 1988, PACT seeks to build community power and overcome systemic injustices that affect low- to moderate-income communities. Members of PACT...
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PACT is an interfaith coalition of diverse congregations working together for social and economic justice in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Founded in 1988, PACT seeks to build community power and overcome systemic injustices that affect low- to moderate-income communities. Members of PACT congregations, organizing and working collectively to address their commonly held community concerns, use the power of their numbers to gain a seat at the table and negotiate regarding the important issues that affect their lives. Since many members of PACT congregations come from Latin America and the Caribbean, portions of PACT's large meetings are held in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

PACT is comprised of 25 congregations representing a total of more than 50,000 people, making it the largest grassroots organization in South Florida. PACT is also one of 20 similar organizations that make up the Direct Action and Research Training (DART) network. DART provides technical assistance and training to PACT leaders and staff.
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At a time when neighborhoods are fragmented and people typically do not even know the family next door, PACT establishes a network of relationships within and between diverse communities. Members of PACT congregations make concerted efforts to learn about each other's concerns and dreams...
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At a time when neighborhoods are fragmented and people typically do not even know the family next door, PACT establishes a network of relationships within and between diverse communities. Members of PACT congregations make concerted efforts to learn about each other's concerns and dreams regarding the community. Through a process of one-on-one visits and house meetings, members of PACT congregations share their concerns and dreams regarding the community, build or strengthen relationships, and identify commonly held community concerns.

PACT does not stop once problems are identified. Congregation leaders engage in extensive research to find solutions to community problems and determine which officials have the power to implement the solutions. PACT then holds a "direct action" meeting at which PACT leaders make requests of the appropriate public officials in front of hundreds of PACT members. By doing so, traditionally voiceless populations exert power in relation to a political system that was previously inaccessible to them. With the power of organized communities and a commitment to justice, PACT has a long history of accomplishments on a wide range of issues.
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PACT is just launching its Youth/Young Adult Organizing Project. This is an important opportunity for youth voice to be heard on issues of social justice and community change in our comminties. The YOP aims to engage youth and young adults across all aspects of PACT's work from their presence as...
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PACT is just launching its Youth/Young Adult Organizing Project. This is an important opportunity for youth voice to be heard on issues of social justice and community change in our comminties. The YOP aims to engage youth and young adults across all aspects of PACT's work from their presence as board members all the way through to issue committees and members of our congregations. We believe that youth has a voice and we want it to be heard.
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