CAJE (Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment)
Upcoming Events
![]() Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment – CAJE – has been busy with the help of Holy Redeemer to address these justice issues in our Community.
* The gunfire in our neighborhoods and acts of random violence is frightening and debilitating. CAJE has brought this issue to our City Council and the Council has agreed to fund a study through the National Network of Safe Communities thru the John Jay College of Criminal justice in New York City. This victory is the fruit of an arduous research effort to find an answer for our Community. * Our Community's support of mental health, particularly in the criminal justice system is most worrisome. Folks with untreated, disrespected mental health conditions truly fall into the category of “the least of our brothers” to which Jesus referred. The Crisis Care Center has been considered for years as a short term diagnostic opportunity for those in mental health crisis instead of going straight to jail. Through are “people power”, the County Commissioners have agreed to ask the County Council for funding to see this project through with the help of United Caring Shelters. Holy Redeemer parishioners have been most instrumental in guiding research for these causes. We at Holy Redeemer excel in works of mercy. We all have a good heart. But Jesus challenges us to go further, and stand up for justice. He challenges us to give people a voice that can't speak for themselves. CAJE is having a VIRTUAL, FACEBOOK Action meeting on May 10, 2021, at 6:00. This is an opportunity to see CAJE in action. We can't go to the Civic Center as in past years but we all can view this on your computer or phone. Scheduled to speak are Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, members of the County Council and leaders of our mental health Community. May 10, 6:00 PM. Just search for CAJE on Facebook, (you don't have to be a member) and you will come to the page. YOUTUBE.com - On May 11 the video will be available to view. If you are not familiar with these two platforms, please reply and I will be glad to email a video copy of the rally. Sincerely, Genny Tenbarge 812-205-5029 [email protected] |
The Dually Diagnosed Child
Affordable Housing
Crisis Care Center
- According to a 2018 CDC report, an estimated 1.5 million children, ages 3-17 have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Roughly 40% of people with autism experience symptoms of at least one anxiety disorder at any time, compared with up to 15% in the general population.
- According to several studies, individuals on the autism spectrum are 10 times more likely to attempt suicide than those in the general population.
- CAJE’s Dually Diagnosed Child research committee has conducted 12 research visits since our December Research Kick Off.
- This week, we traveled to Terre Haute to tour Gibault Children’s Services. This facility offers residential psychiatric and behavioral treatment for children from all over the state. Our committee was encouraged by what we learned. Next week we will meet with Deaconess Cross Pointe to share our findings.
- We are still compiling information on public school resources and services that are available to the dually diagnosed child and their families. We will update our membership on the developments soon.
- At our Rally on Monday, April 13, 2020 we will share with our membership the plan that we want local mental health providers to implement.
Affordable Housing
- The Brutal Facts: 51% of renters in Vanderburgh County pay more than 30% of their income for housing; defined as
- “Housing Burdened”: 13,978. (2018 United Way ALICE report)
- Evansville needs 4,940 affordable rental units for all households at or below ALICE (same report)
- 25% of all African American households in Evansville earn less than $10,000/year
- In 2018, CAJE won $500,000 for the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. We learned that at least $2 million/year needs to be placed in the fund for 10-15 years if the current gap is to be filled. Our Housing Committee expects to ask the city to allocate more funds into the Housing Trust. We will arrive at an amount and possible funding sources within the next few weeks.
- The Housing Steering Committee will meet on Monday 2/18 and begin to carve out a strategy. Part of that strategy includes a Housing Summit, where local officials will be asked to weigh in on this affordable housing crisis. We have also learned of a severe housing problem in Posey County and will share that information, and all other plans at the April 8 Rally.
Crisis Care Center
- CAJE has worked to bring a Crisis Care Center to the city for nearly 5 years! This week, United Caring Services began renovations on an area that has been designated for mental health crisis intervention and a sobering unit. YOU did this! Each person who helped research the problem, identify a solution and then turned out People Power to our Nehemiah Action had a hand in the victory. Bless you for your commitment to justice!