TThe workshop provided information to faith and community leaders concerning loan foreclosure and modification scams in order to prevent scam artists from preying on homeowners who are at risk of, or facing, foreclosure. The event took place at Fuller Theological Seminary in Payton Hall Room 101 and was co-sponsored by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection and the Office for Urban Initiatives, Fuller Theological Seminary. A panel was moderated by Ray W. Brewer, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Field Office Director, Los Angeles, and Acting Field Director, Santa Ana and panelists included: Jennifer Brennan, Staff Attorney, Federal Trade Commission; Heather Peters, Deputy Secretary for Business Regulation and Housing - California Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency; Lori Gay, President and Chief Executive of Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services; Dawnnesha Smith, Supervising Investigator - Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs; and Greg Smith, Staff Attorney - Public Counsel.

Workshop photo collage (PDF)

Photo gallery

Appreciation Luncheon for Homeless Count Survey Volunteers
On Friday, April 16 an Appreciation Luncheon was given in honor of the more than 60 student volunteers from Fuller Seminary that helped complete the City of Pasadena 2010 Homeless Count and Homeless Survey. Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard presented a Certificate of Recognition to Fuller Seminary President Richard Mouw that expressed the City’s appreciation of the student’s efforts. Other City officials and community leaders expressed their appreciation as well.

Fuller News Article: Luncheon Honors Work of Homeless Count and Survey Volunteers

Pasadena Star News Article: Pasadena, seminary carry out annual homeless count. Tally helps cities get HUD relief funds.

Photo gallery

Court Clergy Conference: Justice and Restoration

The Office for Urban Initiatives and the Office of Alumni/ae and Church Relations at Fuller Theological Seminary hosted the 2010 Court-Clergy Conference at the seminary  in partnership with the Los Angeles Superior Court on March 4, 2010. Approximately 150 clergy, lay ministers, as well as faculty and students at the seminary attended the all-day conference. Presiding Judge Charles (Tim) McCoy presented remarks that introduced Richard J. Mouw, President of the seminary, who offered a theological perspective on his address to the audience entitled, Justice and Restoration: Challenging Clergy, congregations and civil society.

Dr. Mouw’s address was also attended by the Mayor of Pasadena, Bill Bogaard, Theresa Lamb-Simpson, Field Deputy for Congressman Adam Schiff, and Tahra Goraya, District Director for Senator Carol Liu. There were a total of four panels and each panel presented on practical and realistic situations that are important to clergy and congregations, particularly in light of the imminent release of inmates from California State prisons. The first panel was moderated by Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, which presented an overview of the Courts and the criminal justice system. The rest of the panels elaborated on criminal and juvenile proceedings, Drug Courts, and issues related to Family Court. Judges, clergy members, police officers and community leaders participated in presentations during the conference. Conference attendees also had the opportunity to interact with Judges from the LA Superior Court in Pasadena during the lunch time. 

Photo gallery

Court-Clergy Focus Group

The Office for Urban Initiatives at Fuller Theological Seminary and the Los Angeles Superior Court held a Focus Group on December 15, 2009. Selected Fuller faculty, administrators, and clergy from the Los Angeles faith community were invited to participate in the group in order to inform the content of the Court-Clergy conference scheduled for March 4, 2010 at Fuller Theological Seminary. The purpose of the group was to inquire about topics of interest for clergy as well as to how to inform clergy of court procedures in light of the upcoming release of inmates from California State prisons.