Stockton and Lodi church, civic and educational leaders have joined together to create an event that is bringing change to local neighborhoods. This free virtual event, The Ripple Effect - a Community Faith Summit, will explore ideas, inspire with success stories and provide ideas and opportunities for communities, schools, and faith and church leaders to make change. Together, participants will learn to collaborate and develop relationships while building up the area surrounding schools, churches, community centers and parks. To register, visit CommunityFaithSummit.com.
The virtual summit is scheduled for Thursday, March 4 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Registration is now open at CommunityFaithSummit.com.
“I am encouraged by this project of hope and community,” said Daniel Wolcott, former president of Adventist Health Lodi Memorial, who is one of the founders of the Ripple Effect. “What amazing results we will have when we join hands and work together to improve the areas directly around our churches and schools.”
The goal of The Ripple Effect is for local organizations to be encouraged to reach out together into their neighborhoods and to seek opportunities for projects such as: building free libraries on community blocks, organizing a fun run/walk for the whole neighborhood, planning concerts and festivals in the park, holding a neighborhood clean-up day, etc. The possibilities are endless. To stir project ideas and help launch initiatives, Adventist Health is offering a limited number of $500 mini-grants for creative and innovative collaborations and to help faith groups and schools get started.
“The Ripple Effect is going to satisfy a hunger to make meaningful change that our neighborhoods and churches are experiencing,” said Pastor Marc Maffucci of Quail Lakes Baptist Church, Stockton. “The program is providing our churches and schools the tools – and even some funds – to support one another through creative projects, fun and festive activities and mentorships that will make a difference in our community for years to come. We are aiming for a ripple effect, but I think we will see waves.”
In addition to hearing an inspiriting and motivating message of community from Bubba Paris, the virtual program will feature community conversations with local leaders such as Carol Ornelas, Traci Wise Miller, Pastor Robert T. Schlipp and Josh and Alison McGregor. These speakers, representing both Stockton and Lodi, have led successful collaborations and experiences that brought change to their neighborhoods. Lodi Mayor Alan Nakanishi and Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln will welcome guests to The Ripple Effect – a Community Faith Summit.
Keynote Speaker, William “Bubba” Paris, is a three-time Super Bowl champion, an inspirational-and-motivational speaker, as well as a minister. He will encourage and challenge attendees to roll up their sleeves and get involved. Paris, who resides in Tracy, is currently the executive director of Tracy Community Connections, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the needs of the homeless and those at risk of homelessness.
Community speakers will tell stories about successful collaborations they have been engaged in. Speakers and their topics are scheduled to include:
From ghetto to thriving neighborhood, changing a city block will be presented by Carol Ornelas, CEO, Visionary Homebuilders, Stockton; Bringing civic, school and church leaders together, presented by Jake and Alison McGregor, founders, The One-Eighty Teen Center, Lodi; When neighbors become friends, the amazing results, presented by Pastor Robert T. Schlipp, Radiant Life Church, Lodi and Principals Gary Moore and Gary Odell, Reese Elementary School, Lodi; and Principals and pastors connect for student success, presented by Traci Wise Miller, Ed.D, Director, Student Support Services, SUSD.
The Ripple Effect is a virtual free Community Event. For further information, call 209-957-7277.
