The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) was founded in 1998 out of a vision for building power on a metropolitan level through broad based community organizing.Institutional members (mostly congregations, but also unions, CDC’s and other organizations committed to social justice) strive to hold both public and private power holders accountable for their public responsibilities.
GBIO is a multi-issue organization, which draws its foci from within its member institutions, from the concerns of the people. First Church Cambridge has been a proud dues paying member of GBIO since 2006.
On May 27, 2008, over 1,700 Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders gathered together with Governor Patrick, Mayor Menino, Speaker DiMasi, and a host of other special guests to celebrate the 10th anniversary of GBIO. On the agenda for the evening was a recognition of GBIO’s founders and past victories, including securing $150 million for affordable housing; passage of a $2 million increase in funding for textbooks for the Boston Public Schools; and a partnership with Citizens Bank called Debts to Assets that includes financial management workshops, grants, and low interest debt consolidation loans to over 360 GBIO members. GBIO was also recognized by the Governor, the Speaker, and Jack Connors, the Chair of Partners, Inc., for playing an instrumental role in the state’s healthcare reform, which has now brought coverage to over 340,000 formerly uninsured residents of the Commonwealth.
Also at the action, following on the work of First Church members and other GBIO institutions involved in the Aging with Dignity campaign, GBIO secured a public commitment from the Governor’s administration to fix the state’s eldercare website and information and referral system.
In preparation for this event, First Church minister Dan Smith was part of a small group of GBIO leaders that briefed Governor Patrick and Speaker DiMasi in private meetings held in their State House offices. Dan also introduced Speaker DiMasi at the event itself.
First Church members filled a school bus to travel to and from the event. In total, 55 of our members attended this inspiring event and were able to bear witness to and participate in the largest interfaith gathering in the Commonwealth since 9/11! Special thanks to Gay Harter, Pauline Fennel, and Dave and Alice Kidder for their hard work in recruiting our First Church contingent and to all church members and friends who were there in person and in spirit. Together we raised a collective voice for justice and articulated our vision for a truly Greater Boston and Commonwealth!
For more information, please contact Rev. Dan Smith at the church office or visit www.gbio.org.
