FaithAction ID Card Program - Turning Strangers into Neighbors!
An ID is just a piece of plastic, until a human being gives it a name, face, and a story, and a community gives it value.
What problem does the idea help to solve and how does your solution work? (2,000 characters maximum)
FaithAction is an innovative nonprofit located in downtown Greensboro, NC that serves thousands of new immigrants each year, while educating and connecting our diverse community across lines of culture and faith - turning strangers into neighbors. Six years ago we began a community based ID card program to provide a verifiable form of ID to those without limited access to government issued forms of ID. Without reliable identification in the US, it is as if you don't exist; you have access to nothing. There are few states in the US that provide driver's licenses or state ID to immigrants with limited or no status, leaving millions in limbo and with limited access to services crucial to a person's safety and well being. FaithAction was able to gain the trust of local law enforcement, health centers, schools, city agencies, and business to utilize the ID as a tool to better identify, serve, and protect our diverse community. FaithAction utilizes a FaithAction ID drive and dialogue model, where hundreds of participants arrive at a local house of worship or school, receive a number and a brief orientation on the benefits and limitations of the card, then have their required documents checked and picture taken. While participants wait, local law enforcement and other supportive sectors all attend to provide trust building dialogue, addressing issues such as: Will I be treated any differently than others by an officer, or at a hospital or school? Time and again the answer has been - You are a part of our community, we are glad you are here, and we want to build greater trust and cooperation with you. Surveys have shown just how impactful this program has been in increasing access to services, while creating safer, more inclusive communities for all. 6 years later, and we have expanded the program to over 25 cities across the state and nation. We have an innovative, effective and affordable model that can be easily replicated in cities across the nation and globe.Geography of focus (500 characters)
Over the past 6 years, the FaithAction ID program and network has grown from Greensboro, NC to over 20 urban and rural communities throughout North Carolina, as well as Cincinnati, OH, Charlottesville, VA, Gainesville and West Palm Beach, FL, Ames, IA, and Hood River, OR. We continue to receive requests from small towns (ex: Fairfax, VA) and large cities (ex: Miami, FL) across the US, and believe the FaithAction ID drive and dialogue model can be replicated in other nations in the coming years!Building Bridges: What bridge does your idea build between people on the move and neighbors towards a shared future of stability and promise? (500 characters)
Our goal from the beginning of this program was to build greater understanding, trust, and cooperation between our diverse newcomer community and local law enforcement (and other local sectors, including health centers, schools, city agencies, and businesses). At a time of great fear and concern in our nation, the FaithAction ID card program brings our diverse community together for monthly ID drives and dialogues that lead to measurably safer, healthier, more inclusive communities for all!What human need is your idea solving for? (1,000 characters)
Over 25% (11 million) of immigrants in the US have no immigration status, and current laws provide no legal pathway forward. The majority of these individuals fled devastating poverty and violence, and are trying to create a better future for themselves and their children. Most face significant challenges, especially in towns and cities in the Midwest and Southeast, including: learning a new language and culture, living below the poverty line, having little to no access to social services, and facing tremendous fear and discrimination. The FaithAction ID card program is a nonprofit run ID initiative primarily for communities that may not have the political will or financial means for a municipal ID card program (like several northern US cities) that law enforcement, health centers, schools, and city agencies agree to accept - creating much greater dignity, access, and assistance for our newest neighbors, and a greater sense of community trust and belonging for all.What will be different within the community of focus as a result of implementing your idea? (1,000 characters)
Over the past 6 years, we have interviewed hundreds of ID card holders and over 95% have found the card to be very useful (ex: proving identity with law enforcement and avoiding unnecessary arrest and detention, checking in for health appointments, registering children for school) and over 95% also shared the card has made them feel safer (more willing to contact local law enforcement if victims of a crime) and more a part of the community. On the other side of the equation, local law enforcement have reported receiving greater help reporting and resolving crimes from the immigrant community (and more interest from immigrants in joining the police department), and health centers and schools feel better equipped to serve and integrate their diverse community. While we have expanded tremendously over the last few years, despite limited capacity, we know there are hundreds more communities across the US and world that could benefit tremendously from this program now and into the future.What is the inspiration behind your idea? (1,000 characters)
At FaithAction, we serve over 3,000 new immigrants from over 60 nations each year. The majority have limited or no status, and face significant challenges. They are also some of the most innovative and resilient people in our community. We've learned over the past 20 years that when you offer our immigrant clients and friends welcome and hospitality, they generally pay it back and go on to become some of our most loyal, hard working residents. At the same time, we recognize that misinformed and harmful stories many existing citizens have about our newest neighbors, so we spend a significant amount of time providing over 75 trainings and presentations each year to faith communities, schools, and city agencies on immigration and diversity. We have found with the right education and relationships with newcomers, many of these citizens have their hearts and minds transformed and go on to become strong advocates alongside our immigrant community. This is how strangers become neighbors!Describe the dynamics of the community in which the idea is to be implemented. (1,000 characters)

How does your idea leverage and empower community strengths and assets to help create an environment for success? (1,000 characters)

What other partners or stakeholders will work alongside you in implementing the idea, if any? (1,000 characters)
There are numerous partners involved in making the FaithAction ID program and network a success, as this is truly a community wide effort. Immigrant and faith leaders are crucial to helping make the case for a community ID program, and hosting ID drives and dialogues. Trusted nonprofits are essential to coordinating and staffing the program. Law enforcement, health centers, schools, and city agencies are key to giving the ID value, by agreeing to accept it and participating in trust building dialogue during the ID drives. Numerous businesses can also agree to offer unique discounts and benefits to ID card holders (ex: half off Children's Museum membership) that help create a greater sense of community and belonging for our newest immigrant neighbors. Finally, it is important to note that the FaithAction ID card program is not just for immigrants, but homeless, trans, and elderly communities, those returning from jail, and anyone who believes in a diverse and inclusive community!What part of the displacement journey is your solution addressing
- Arriving and settling at a destination community
Tell us how you'd describe the type of innovation you are proposing
- Service: A new or enhanced service that creates value for end beneficiaries
Idea Proposal Stage
- Majority Adoption: We have expanded the pilot significantly and the program product or service has been adopted by the majority of our intended user base (i.e. 50% to 83% of the target population or 50,000 to 1,000,000 users).
Group or Organization Name
The FaithAction ID Network currently operates in over 20 communities in North Carolina, as well as Aiken, SC, West Palm Beach, FL, Cincinnati, OH, Charlottesville, VA, Ames, IA, and Hood River, OR.Tell us more about your group or organization [or lived experience as a displaced person?] (1000 characters)
FaithAction is an innovative nonprofit located in downtown Greensboro, NC. We serve over 3,000 new immigrants from over 60 diverse nations each year. Our diverse staff (may who are immigrants themselves) treat each client with dignity and respect, regardless of culture, faith, status, or sexual orientation. While our clients face significant challenges, they also have tremendous gifts to offer our community. We have become experts in assisting those with limited or no immigration status, while educating existing citizens and helping to transform their hearts and minds on issues of immigration and diversity. While our ID program is only one of over a dozen different services we provide (including: food, housing, health, legal services, detention visitation, etc....), it is a flagship program that has helped put FaithAction on the map for innovators in immigrant integration and trust building with law enforcement, health centers, and others - turning strangers into neighbors!Website URL:
faithaction.orgType of submitter
- We are a registered Non-Profit Organization
Organization Headquarters: Country
United States of AmericaOrganization Headquarters: City / State
Greensboro, NCIn preparation for expert feedback: What are three unanswered questions or challenges that you could use support on in these categories? These questions will be answered directly by experts matched specifically to your idea. (600 characters)
1) While we've had great success expanding our program in communities across the US, what unique challenges might there be in implementing the FaithAction ID program model in other countries? 2) New programs often receive 500 participants at ID drives, which can require very long waits for participants. How could we make the process quicker and more efficient, while maintaining the integrity of the program? 3) Not every community may have the financial resources to ensure the integrity and sustainability of the program. What are some ways to make the program even more affordable?Did you use the resources offered during the Improve Phase (mentorship, expert feedback, community research)? (2000 characters)

In what ways would potential BridgeBuilder funds allow you to pursue your idea that other funding opportunities have not? (1000 characters)
While FaithAction is a relatively small organization (8 staff), we have been able to successfully expand the FaithAction ID program to 20 communities within NC, and 8 cities in 6 additional states over the past 4 years with $50,000/year. Connecting with OpenIDEO has already provided valuable new contacts nationally and internationally, and if we were awarded BridgeBuilder funds it would at least double our financial capacity to expand the ID network! We continue to receive requests for new partnerships (ex: Raleigh, Miami, Boulder), but are not always able to respond as efficiently as we'd like given the demands of our daily service work in Greensboro. BridgeBuilder funds would allow us to add new staff primarily focused on the expansion of the ID program and network, as well as consultants to help us analyze and strategize for the future. Funds would also provide invaluable seed funding to new partner communities with limited resources, as well as travel and yearly network retreats.What aspects or proportion of the overall idea would potential BridgeBuilder funds primarily support? (1000 characters)
We envision BridgeBuilder funds primarily supporting and strengthening 3 areas of the FaithAction ID program and network. 1) 60% of funding would support the creation of a new position focused on the strategic expansion of the FaithAction ID network, specifically providing outreach and education to new potential community partners, and managing bi-monthly calls and a yearly retreat amongst ID network members. This funding would also cover work with a consultant towards a deeper analyzation of the impact and challenges of network programs, as well as opportunities for strategic expansion. 2). 25% of funding would support seed grants for new communities with limited financial resources that could be used to help purchase initial ID equipment (ex: computers, databases, and printers) and ongoing technical assistance. 3). The remaining 15% would support staff travel to new partner sites, as well as bi-monthly network calls, and a yearly retreat (ex: subsidizing travel and housing).What are the key steps or activities for your idea for implementation in the next 1-3 years? (1000 characters)
We are confident that BridgeBuilder funds and OpenIDEO connections will provide a major boost for strengthening and expanding the FaithAction ID program and network for at least the next 2 years (and well beyond), and anticipate the following next steps and goals: 2020 - Hire one new staff member tasked with ID program outreach and education, and a 6 month consultant to analyze impact and challenges of expansion, and introduce both at the Spring in-person network retreat. Train 3-4 new communities in the US in the summer/fall, that will launch their programs by the end of 2020 (providing seed funds for tech assistance as needed), and begin conversations with a potential future international partner, likely in Europe. 2021- Given our new capacity and clarity, we will train and launch new ID programs in 6-8 new communities throughout the year (with a focus in the Mid and Southwest US) . We will also train and welcome our first international partner by the end of 2021!What will community-level impact look like over the timeframe of your idea? How will you determine whether or not you have achieved that impact? And what outstanding questions do you still have? (1000 characters)
Impact: By the end of 2021, we will have established at least 10 new community ID programs based on the FaithAction ID drive and dialogue model - increasing the total number of network programs to 35 across the US, and celebrating our first international partner. These programs will significantly increase the access, safety, and well-being of tens of thousands of newcomers without access to government issued ID cards, while creating more inclusive and united communities for all. Measurement: We will survey at least 1,000 ID drive participants, tracking how the ID has increased access to and trust with law enforcement, city services, health centers, and businesses, and to what degree that ID has helped them feel safer and more a part of the community. Question: How can the FaithAction ID model be adapted to more challenging contexts (politically, culturally, and religiously) outside the United States, and is it sustainable in countries with limited money and infrastructure?Describe the individual or team that will implement this idea (if a partnership, please explain breakdown of roles and responsibilities for each entity). (1000 characters)


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