ONE Community and Arizona Faith Network Launch the Safe Communities Coalition with Support from Vitalyst Health
(Phoenix, AZ) — ONE Community and Arizona Faith Network are proud to announce the official launch of the Safe Communities Coalition (SCC)—a proactive, inclusive initiative focused on protecting Arizona's historically targeted groups and diverse faith communities through training, outreach, and rapid response.
The Coalition brings together leaders from across sectors to create safer, more united communities in the face of rising hate crimes and extremist activity.
The launch of the Safe Communities Coalition has been made possible in part by a generous grant from Vitalyst Health Foundation, which is helping lay the groundwork for this statewide initiative. This funding has enabled the hiring of Paul Rockower as the inaugural Director of the Safe Communities Coalition. Rockower brings deep experience in interfaith engagement, crisis response, and public diplomacy.
“The Safe Communities Coalition reflects our shared belief that everyone in Arizona deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported,” said President of ONE Community, Angela Hughey. “We are proud to stand with Arizona Faith Network and Vitalyst Health to build bridges across communities and act with urgency and care in the face of hate and division.”
“Faith leaders have long been on the front lines of both healing and justice,” said Executive Director of Arizona Faith Network, Rev. Katie Sexton. “Through the Safe Communities Coalition, we are building a broad-based network of compassion and courage that will help communities respond, rebuild, and rise stronger together.”
“I'm honored to take on this role at such a critical time,” said Director of the Safe Communities Coalition, Paul Rockower. “We're working to create a network of preparedness and partnership that ensures Arizona's communities can stand up to hate with strength and solidarity.”
The Safe Communities Coalition is actively engaging with local leaders, houses of worship, elected officials, law enforcement, and community organizations to provide strategic training, convene regional events, and offer a rapid response mechanism in times of crisis.
Learn more and get involved at www.onecommunityfoundation.org/safe-communities.
(press release courtesy of ONE Community)
###