Faith-based Communities a Part of Every Community – Not Apart From Them
NJ SOS Veteran Stakeholders group and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson partnered with Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker and Newark Councilwoman at Large, Reverend Louise Scott-Rountree to host its 2nd Interfaith Suicide Awareness Seminar in the Good Neighbor Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey
The NJ SOS Veteran Stakeholders group and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson partnered with Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker and Newark Councilwoman at Large, Reverend Louise Scott-Rountree to host its 2nd Interfaith Suicide Awareness Seminar at the Good Neighbor Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. Faith based leaders and community members were able to hear about suicide awareness and ask questions on resources that are available to our veterans, active service members, and their families who are struggling or may be at risk for suicide. The event was diverse and rich in resources with partners like The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Operation Sisterhood, Community Hope, The City of Newark, NJ - City Hall, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Suicide Prevention Team. New Jersey is home to over 360,000 veterans, and over 6,000 places of worship.
“It is critical to build the faith leaders resources and referral points, they need to not only have the education to respond to veterans, service members, and their families, but also resources and contacts to get them the help they need. These partnerships will allow us to create the resource and referral base necessary, to build capacity to identify and refer those who need help,” said Reverend Louise Scott-Roundtree.
The coalition is grateful to count on the knowledge and expertise from the community such as; Assembly woman Cleopatra Tucker and Newark Councilwoman at Large, Reverend Louise Scott-Rountree who are helping the coalition initiate and maintain positive connections with faith-based leaders. They are acting quickly to provide information to the county about the coalition and organizing people to advance the work.
Our community partners are working diligently with the VA New Jersey Health Care System to promote their efforts within the congregations and through veteran focused groups and organizations. The success of the interfaith seminar currently being held throughout varies counties in the state of NJ serves as another example of how you can and why you should include the resources and partners in your community. During these seminars’ members, and participants included veteran women sexual abuse and trauma survivors, va program leaders, community partner organizations, and local pastors, all pulling together to advance the work.
New Jersey National Guard Chaplain 1st LT Marquis Strickland was also present. He spoke in a panel and discussed his experiences and what resources are available to veterans in emotional distress. LT Marquis Strickland is helping to bring awareness and education to the community. He believes faith serves as protective factor against suicide, and also understands the need to ensure cultural and social relevance, while utilizing community knowledge, experiences, and available services.
These seminars are opportunities for us the gain education, resources, make connections, develop an effective communication system for referrals between the VA NJ Healthcare System, community partners, and places of worship.
“The further we all understood the traditional spirituality, values and practices, the more effective and sustainable our program will be; because the strategies being implemented will fit the faith-based communities who are already serving our veterans, service members, and their families”, said Martha Rodriguez, Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator.
The coalition will continue to increase awareness about their training program for faith-based communities throughout the state. They will also keep working with community partners to increase access to suicide prevention resources among veterans, service members, and their families and promote suicide prevention.
If your faith-based community is interested in receiving save training, gun locks, suicide prevention resources or attending the next interfaith seminar please contact: martha.rodriguez2@va.gov.