Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC), established in 1990, stands as a beacon of unity, bringing together diverse faiths and ethnicities in the greater Brockton area. With a shared commitment to justice, we tackle pressing societal issues through collaborative, faith-inspired community organizing. Our efforts resonate locally and resonate nationally, as we advocate for change as MCAN and Faith in Action. Through meaningful connections, we strive to reshape systems and foster a world that values equity and fairness.
1990 - 1994
Supported opening of new Health Center Reopening of the Cosgrove Pool
Community Policing brought to Main Street near St. Patrick’s church. This led to the closing of a drug/prostitution house across the street which was eventually demolished and replaced with the Senior Center
Statewide funding campaign that brought annual grant money to Brockton for police officers
1996 - 1998
Organized at the state and local level to establish free after school programs
Jobs – BIC forms partnership with local trade unions to provide apprenticeship programs for Brockton workers
2005 - 2008
Organized for the passing, saving and increasing of the Shannon Grant, the anti-gang and violence Grant. Brockton benefited by receiving funding use for youth crime prevention
Brought Police details to Legion Parkway, near Messiah Baptist Church, to deal with troubled area
Joined Mayor’s Foreclosure Task Force to work on possible solutions to the foreclosure crisis
Working to have a local CORI ordinance passed as well as statewide legislation to help ex-offenders more quickly integrate into society
Brought Know Your Rights and Immigration Law and awareness seminars to Brockton
2018- 2022
Established the first gatherings of what would become the Co-op Cultivators of Greater Brockton
Created Mutual Aid Brockton in response to the 2020 Covid-19 epidemic
Established Second Chance Justice in 2020 to educate the public and mobilize community support for the commutation of William Allen's life without parole sentence
1994 - 1996
Negotiated agreements with 3 banks to establish Soft Second Affordable Mortgage Program for first time homeowners in Brockton
1999 - 2005
BIC Nehemiah phase I – 8 affordable homes for hard working families were built
Organized city campaign to signup families earning less than $40,000/year for MassHealth insurance
Offered 1st BIC CityWide Congregational Development 1 on 1 campaign. Trained 100 leaders in relational organizing and building power through 1:1 individual meetings
Improved wages and training opportunities at five local nursing homes by outreach and negotiations with nursing home owners to participate in the ECCLI program
Organized to get city officials to expand funding for ESOL classes, reducing the waiting line in Brockton by 33%. These classes are still called BIC classes
2008 - 2011
Helped pass CORI reform Bill
Passed 3 Home Rule Petitions addressing Foreclosure
Helped pass statewide Foreclosure Bill to protect homeowners and tenants
Supported and saw through Congressman Frank’s $1 billion loan program to unemployed homeowners, included in the Frank/Dodd Wall Street financial reform bill
Organized against immediate implementation of the Secure Communities Act in MA
Photo by Randy Crandon.2023
Youth School of Liberation (Youth SOL) joins BIC. Youth SOL’s project, The School Food Team, started in October 2022 with the goal of improving the quality, nutritional value, and cultural relevance of school meals, both in Brockton Public Schools and across the state. The School Policy Team, starting in November 2022, organized with the initial goal of changing the Brockton High School attendance policy
2012- 2017
Launched a campaign supporting a citizenship effort. Over 500 turned out. Congressman Lynch pledged to create a pathway for citizenship for all 11 million aspiring citizens and to fight deportations of nonviolent offenders
Fought for a minimum wage increase that went into effect and rose to $9.00/hour. BIC leaders supported the collection of petitions - over 22,000 signatures across MCAN - Massachusetts Communities Action Network, and over 150,000 signatures with our partners across the state as a part of Raise Up Massachusetts
Introduced School of Prophetic Action (SOPA) training
Formed Sharon Interfaith Action (SIA) in 2017 to reach across economic, racial, and class divides to develop relationships and partner with those people most directly impacted by injustice