Hello from Central Indiana

Hello,

My name is Ken Bigos and I am a Seminary Summer Intern and I am working in Logansport, Indiana where the United Food and Commerical Workers International created the Central Indiana Worker Center to assist people in the region in their worker issues. My main responsibility has been doing outreach to the local churches in Logansport and surrounding small cities such as Peru, Kokomo, Lafayette and others. Meat packing is one of the major industries in the region with companies such as Tyson, Indiana Packers and subsidiary companies of Smithfield located within the Central Indiana area.

The worker center has only been opened for a couple of months and it has been great to see what needs to be done to start-up a worker center or a non-profit organization, such as writing the by-laws, promoting the organization and having all the materials needed to do the work efficiently.

I have met with the Presbyterian and Methodist ministers and the Hispanic leadership of the Catholic church. I am learning the self-interest and values of the ministers and the congregation. Along with the spiritual interests of maintaining their relationship with God there is also political and economic interests and/or conflicts that need to be considered that shapes the views of the ministers and the congregation.

The people here are very nice and I am enjoying the experience of small town life. I am watching some nice sunsets and a lot of cornfields. I am excited to see the Fourth of July in small town Indiana, children are already setting off firecrackers!

Have a great day! Peace!

Days 1 and 2 in Chicago

Hi all!

My name is Becky and I am one of the interns this year in the IWJ Seminary Summer program. I was placed with UNITE HERE in Chicago, IL. For the next couple months I (along with several other interns and organizers from UNITE HERE) will be heading up a major campaign in the food service worker industry throughout the country, but especially in big cities such as Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. More specifically, I'll be helping organize the religious community around our campaign. Details are sparse at the moment, as today was only my second day and we are still learning! There is SO much to learn!

About me: I am a student at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, working on a MA in Theology. I will also be getting a Social Work Master's degree from the University of Chicago.

Any questions? Please post a comment! I will be online often to update the blog. At the moment, I must get some important rest - 10 hour long days definitely take their toll on you! I am VERY excited about the work we'll be doing here in Chicago!!!

Please check out these websites:
http://www.serviceworkersrising.org/
www.unitehere.org

Welcome

Welcome to the brand new blog for Summer Student Programs with Interfaith Worker Justice. Here you will find updated information on upcoming events with IWJ, as well as have the opportunity to share information with other Summer Program participants.
Feel free to include links to relevant Web sites, articles, etc. Also remember to check out IWJ's home page at www.iwj.org or by clicking the link on the right hand side of the page.
Enjoy! -IWJ Staff