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Spotlight on: Impact of Illegal Reform and Reinforcement Act 2011
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 As the members of the Episcopal Charities Board visited organizations in the late summer, they began to hear about the impact of House Bill 87 (Illegal Immigration Reform and Reinforcement Act of 2011). Board members heard that people who needed help, whether here legally or illegally, were afraid to access services that could help them. People were more afraid to go to shelters, food programs, and learning centers for fear of the impact that this bill could have.
In response to House Bill 87, Episcopal Charities proposed, and the Diocese of Atlanta passed, Resolution 11-4a stating the following:
Resolved, that the gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to welcome the stranger, the migrant, and the outcast; and
Resolved, that our baptismal covenant calls upon us to respect the dignity of every human being; and
Resolved, that with eight Hispanic parishes comprising more than a thousand souls as part of our diocesan community, we stand together to speak against Georgia House Bill 87; and
Resolved, that we recognize the chilling effect HB 87 has had on both the sacramental and outreach ministries of many of our parishes, on attendance at 12-Step programs, on needy families seeking aid from charitable organizations, and on the reporting of domestic abuse and other crimes and for irreparable harm to families; and
Resolved, that we recognize the adverse effect the policy is having on farmers and their inability to harvest crops in a timely manner, causing crops to rot in the fields, contributing to a decline in food stocks, and corresponding rise in increased need at food pantries and feeding programs;
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What to get for that person who has everything? How about giving thanks for those blessings by donating to help others through Episcopal Charities
The Episcopal Charities Board met in September to review the last set of grant applications for 2011. 34 grants were given for a total of $64,3500. 
Congratulations to The Rev. Laura A. Bryant, who has been named founding director of Episcopal Service Corps Atlanta, an urban service learning program that facilitates spiritual growth and vocational discernment, community formation and political and social consciousness among participants. Program participants will serve 30 hours a week in a church or nonprofit agency while exploring vocation through communal living, social justice education, spiritual practices, and participation in church community. Episcopal Service Corps Atlanta will be known as The Road and will be housed at Emmaus House. Bryant also serves as associate rector of St. Bede's Episcopal Church, Atlanta and on the Board of Episcopal Charities. 
