Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA)

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Noted activist minister, Rev. William Sloane Coffin nailed it when he said: “Had I but one wish for the churches of America I think it would be that they come to see the difference between charity and justice.  Charity is a matter of personal attributes; justice a matter of public policy.  Charity seeks to alleviate the effects of injustice, justice seeks to eliminate the causes of it.“
 
The PC(USA) and our own Presbytery of Northern New England (PNNE) are strongly committed to supporting congregations as we put our faith into action and work to eliminate the causes of injustice.  But what an undertaking!  And the perennial question: while we must deal with the pressing social needs around us, how do we get upstream on these issues?

PNNE and a number of our congregations, including Christ Church Presbyterian, Burlington, and First Presbyterian, Barre, have offered continuing support over the years for the work of Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA).  VIA has been a strong force in promoting this work of justice in VT for the past 20 years, offering a means to respond to systemic inequality,  a value which is so important to us as a Matthew 25 Presbytery.  While working to bring hope, VIA has created a practical vehicle to help our churches move these efforts from concept to reality; PNNE has strongly supported this vision.

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What is VIA?

VIA is a state-wide organization of 70+ affiliated congregations working to bring about systemic change in Vermont. As part of Faith in Action, a national faith-based organizing network, we address national issues as well. VIA is built upon a faith-based community-organizing model, creating transformative change by relationship-building, researching the issues, engaging our communities and moving to action. As the name suggests, we join with congregations of various faith traditions to make this vision a reality. In the words of VIA’s mission statement:

“Our mission is to create solutions to systemic issues that prevent our most vulnerable citizens from enjoying the quality of life God intends for us all.”

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In a world torn by war and hatred, where the stranger is seeking a home, where hunger and homelessness are pervasive, VIA is working to address these issues locally through our work on affordable housing and homelessness, racial and economic justice, corrections reform and immigration issues.

 

What does this work look like in practice?

VIA has five statewide local organizing committees working on these key issues.  Some examples of achievements in recent years include:

• Persuading the governor to extend the state-run emergency shelter motel program in 2023, saving some 2000 Vermonters from earlier eviction, advocating for services, shelter space and rental subsidies for another 800;

• Partnering with Migrant justice on local initiatives like Milk with Dignity;

• Meeting with state officials to identify and promote corrections reforms such as reinstatement of the position of Director of Women’s Programs and advocating for legislative reforms;

• Currently partnering with the group that developed the Declaration of Inclusion to convince every municipality in VT to adopt a statement of welcome and direct them towards practical ways to demonstrate true inclusion in their policies and projects. Thus far, 154 communities have signed on to the Declaration.

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A fond farewell...

Recently, VIA’s Executive Director, Rev. Debbie Ingram retired, ending her 17-year tenure.  We’re sad to see her leave, but are so appreciative of her many accomplishments over almost two decades: moving VIA from seven congregations in Burlington to 70+ congregations in five geographic regions; achieving successes in affordable housing and homelessness, health care, corrections reform, economic dignity, and racial justice; providing leadership development to hundreds of volunteers and numerous staff members and serving as a motivator for living out our faith in the world.  We wish her well in her retirement!

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Clearly, VIA offers a strong response to the call of our faith to love one another.  Through action and building political will, we are working to create a world that is more just, more fair, and more welcoming to all.  PNNE’s support of this organization is making a concrete difference in our churches, in our Presbytery and in our state and we are most grateful for the Presbytery’s support of this important initiative.