These are the programs listed by Urban Ventures at Guidestar.com. None of them appear to be rooted in religious training. I find it hard to believe that a 501c3 cannot have any religious basis. I am sure the YMCA and the YWCA are both 501c3's for some of their operations. Both are founded on Christian values, it's stated in their names. How about Catholic Charities, Mary Jo's Place, Peace House, etc. All of these are sponsored by or in churches. All pass on religious messages in their contacts with their constituency in one way or another.
Actually - I don't have a problem with UV's 501 c3 status. What I have problems with is their dishonesty. The last time they were pushing the Colin Powell Center in the legislature, they claimed partnerships with the Minneapolis Parks and the Schools that they didn't have. I doubt if it was evident from the flyers sent home with the kids that they were going to prosceletize at the soccer practices. Parents don't know from the name of the organization what they are about - so it's understandable if Jewish Parents are angry at the treatment the kids get at Urban Ventures. If private individuals want to give $ to UV - all power to them.
I never thought it was part of Christian Values to bear false witness.
I'm a member of the YWCA - they are no way comparible to Urban Ventures.When I was the chair of the Governors After School Enrichment Program for Phillips and Whittier we funded many programs that were located in churches. All of them were 501c3 organizations or they could not recieve our funding. It was State Government funding.
If you are offended that a program preaches a religious message to your child that you are not comfortable with, then don't send your child to that program. Beyond that Urban Ventures is definately not the only non-profit group out there doing a little preaching.
Barb - the problem is, I don't think parents know from the marketing materials UV uses - that the kids are going to be preached at - and in a religion that is foreign to the values they are trying to bring up their kids with.
Mary Jo Copeland is honest that her programs are faith based - and evangelical in nature. She also does things with private money - and doesn't ask the government to fund her.
Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation has different marketting materials and different missions depending on who they are asking for funds. That's dishonest marketting. And I have a problem with that one.
Urban Ventures was also involved with helping Basim Sabri push that infamous and unpopular Motel Scheme on the Central Neighborhood. That was what brought Brian Herron down - because Sabri was caught on tape Bribing Brian Herron. When the UV request at the legislature was going down 2 years ago, I talked with Mr Lundquist on their staff - and he told me that UV staff didn't think it was a good idea for Art Erickson and Ralph Bruins to be so involved with this one.
It's interesting that they mention Ralph Bruins extensive banking experience here:
http://www.urbanventures.org/directors.html
They seem to forget that Bruins banking career was cut short by a criminal conviction for embezzling or fraud.
In the area about the Art Erickson, it talks about how he coordinated the Soul Liberation Festival when he worked for Park Avenue Methodist Church. Neighbors in the area were always unhappy with the noise and inconvenience of Soul Lib - and at one time banded together to litigate against it. Since I've moved from the area, I've been very happy to be away from Park Avenue Methodist Church and Soul Lib.
Eva Young Near North Minneapolis [EMAIL PROTECTED] Blog is up: http://lloydletta.blogspot.com
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