Austin American Statesman Op-Ed by CTI Leader Diane Owens Prettyman, All Saints Episcopal Church
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
— Hebrews, 10:24
Social justice movements begin close to home — in our families, neighborhoods, cities, and states — before spreading across the nation and the world. When people of faith join together to advocate for change, they discover the strength that comes from becoming one body with many members.
Nature provides a powerful illustration. An ant colony or a beehive thrives because every member contributes a unique role to a common purpose. Alone, an ant accomplishes little. Together, thousands of ants build intricate colonies that sustain the entire community. In much the same way, every person brings unique gifts to a faith community. When those gifts are united around a common mission, they can accomplish far more than any individual could alone.
Central Texas Interfaith embodies this principle. Affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation, the nation's oldest and largest network of faith- and community-based organizations, CTI understands that lasting change begins locally. Our chapter includes more than 20 diverse congregations and nonprofit organizations representing thousands of Central Texans.
Each year, CTI develops a platform of community priorities based on listening sessions held within its member organizations. These conversations identify the issues that matter most to local residents and lead to collaborative action.
Less than two miles away from Huston-Tillotson University sits Tillery Field, a 22-acre plot of land owned by the city’s Watershed Protection Department that for decades was overgrown with weeds. This changed when Ismael Guzman convinced the city to allow him to cut the grass and remove the trash from the city-owned property to provide space for him to coach his East Austin Soccer Club.
CTI leaders brought the coach into conversation with Aaron Yancy, Huston-Tillotson’s men’s soccer team coach. The team was traveling more than 20 miles to the nearest public soccer field for games and practice. With support from CTI’s historic Black and Latino East Side congregations and citywide institutions, the project gained momentum.
In June, the city approved the Tillery East Austin Soccer Park, which is an ongoing project under the management of Watershed Protection and in partnership with CTI, East Austin Soccer Club and Huston-Tillotson. CTI secured $300,000 from the city to provide critical irrigation infrastructure. Community leaders have committed to raising an additional $200,000 for the project.
When people of faith listen to one another, identify common concerns, and work together, they become living examples of Hebrews 10:24. They encourage one another toward love and good deeds — not only through words, but through actions that transform communities.
How Faith and Community Partnerships are Transforming an East Austin Field, Austin American-Statesman [pdf]
New Community-Driven Soccer Facility to Revitalize East Austin's Tillery Fields, Yahoo! News / KVUE ABC [pdf] [video]
CTI Wins City-Sponsored Soccer Park on Austin's East Side, Helping Rectify a Century of Disinvestment, Central Texas Interfaith