Eastern Universitys Campolo Institute for Applied Research in Social Justice

South
Philadelphia
Initiative
Action Plan for First Year

Donna Backues
4-29-2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AUTHORS ROLE
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Campolo Institute & Eastern University
South Philadelphia Initiative - Location
MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS
Mission Statement for the Campolo Institute for Applied Research in Social Justice
Vision Statement for the Campolo Institute for Applied Research in Social Justice
Mission Statement for the South Philadelphia Initiative (SPI)
VALUES STATEMENT FOR THE SOUTH PHILADELPHIA INITIATIVE
STRATEGIC ISSUES
SWOT ANALYSIS
ACTION PLAN
Goals
Strategies and Tactics
Timeline
Budget
Measurement plan and Evaluation
STAFFING AND JOB DESCRIPTIONS
General Director
Project Coordinator
Graduate Assistants
Organizational Chart
APPENDICES
Goals for Campolo Institute Board Committee and Executive Director
Communicating the Plan
Map of South Philadelphia
History of South Philadelphia
Overview of The Sanctuary Project

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Campolo Institute for Applied Research in Social Justice will begin the South Philadelphia Initiative
as its inaugural project to pursue the ends of justice in the context of community-based, participatory
research and grassroots methodology. This initiative centers around social justice work currently being
done in South Philadelphia; specifically, the interfaith, multicultural sanctuary movement centered on
justice issues. This document lays out the initial action steps necessary to make this effort a reality.
Some of these steps will be establishing a presence in South Philadelphia, building capacity, doing a
thorough environmental analysis, gaining partner organizations and conducting research on the
differences between two distinct but related questions: how do we help those living in sanctuary versus
how do we do sanctuary?

The overarching goal of the South Philadelphia initiative is to determine how it can best serve those living
in sanctuary, those organizing sanctuary spaces and those who are marginally involved in the sanctuary
process within South Philadelphia. A short-term goal of this action plan is to establish a presence in
South Philadelphia; another is to find stakeholders who are already convinced of the need for sanctuary
and would want to partner with the broader mission of the Campolo institute. Another short-term goal is
to work closely with the New Sanctuary Movement on a specific participatory action-research activity
with the focus of discovering and developing a set of best practices for those providing sanctuary, while
working alongside those who are in desperate need for it and those needs that develop once sanctuary has
been granted. The aim is to catalyze change that results in identifiable flourishing among individuals,
families, and communities.

AUTHORS ROLE

I am currently a Masters student in the Urban Studies program at Eastern University. My husband, Dr.
Lindy Backues, is a professor in the Economic Development Program at Eastern University and he is on
the planning committee for the Campolo Institute. He is responsible for crafting the vision for the South
Philadelphia Initiatives mission. Our family has lived in South Philadelphia for nine years after living
for 18 years in Indonesia while working in grassroots development. I work part-time as the Indonesian
outreach worker for SEAMAAC, a non-profit in South Philadelphia that serves the immigrant population
in the city and the greater metropolitan area. I am familiar with many of the organizations that provide
services to immigrants and refugees and I understand the challenges facing many of those who need
sanctuary.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

CAMPOLO INSTITUTE & EASTERN UNIVERSITY

Eastern Universitys Justice Institute bears the name of Dr. Tony Campolo, a son of Eastern University,
who is a graduate of Eastern Baptist College and Eastern Seminary, a former faculty member and now
professor emeritus of sociology. As Founder and President of the Evangelical Association for the
Promotion of Education (EAPE), a founder of the Red Letter Christian movement, author of 39 books,
internationally renowned speaker and associate pastor of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church in
Philadelphia, Dr. Campolo has lived a life committed to a Christian conception of social justice.

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SOUTH PHILADELPHIA INITIATIVE - LOCATION

There are many reasons for why South Philadelphia is strategic for launching the Institutes inaugural
project. Despite our current governments xenophobic stance, Philadelphia benefits from sympathetic
state and municipal governments towards documented and undocumented immigrants, refugees, persons
of color, women and members of the LGBTQ community. Many non-profits, organizations and multi-
faith congregations and individuals are already enjoying strong relationships and combining efforts to
provide service for those in need and ensure sanctuary literally as well as in the broadest sense of the
word. See map & history in appendices.

MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS

MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE CAMPOLO INSITUTE

The mission of the Campolo Institute for Applied Research in Social Justice at Eastern University is to
encourage excellent research focused on transforming the conditions of injustice by supporting social
justice research, creating opportunities for broad community engagement in social justice practice and
promoting social justice solutions, rooted in Christian conceptions of justice, which include reconciliation
and restoration.

VISION STATEMENT FOR THE CAMPOLO INSTITUTE

In honor of Dr. Campolo s unique ability and commitment to combining scholarship, tireless work for
social justice and ministry, the Campolo Institute for Applied Research in Social Justice at Eastern
University is creating awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment to partner with the victims of
injustice to uproot systems and structures that condemn them and generate instead just policies, processes
and new means of community power.

MISSION STATEMENT FOR SOUTH PHILADELPHIA INITIATIVE

The mission of the South Philadelphia Initiative is to establish a strong presence in South Philadelphia to
enable the Campolo Institute to begin its inaugural project of conducting participatory action research
concerning the concept of Sanctuary. The research aims to discover how best to serve those living in
sanctuary, those organizing sanctuary spaces and those marginally involved in the sanctuary process
within South Philadelphia.

VALUES STATEMENT FOR THE SOUTH PHILADLEPHIA INITIATIVE

WE BELIEVE:
That in the outworking of the Initiative, vision trumps implementation.
That locality and proximity are significant features when doing qualitative research.
That Participatory Action Research should be the emphasis when attempting to achieve the
Initiatives goals.
That the Gospel exhibits a preferential option for the poor.

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 That the image and its motifs as found in Philippians 2 illustrates the sort of incarnational
behavior most important to the Initiatives activities.
That all research attempted must be deemed useful to the community involved, as judged by
residents of the community itself.

STRATEGIC ISSUES

We now seem to be approaching a kairos moment for the Institute and the SPI a convergence of
factors seems to be pushing us toward the goals described herein: sanctuary city issues are in the
news; time is of the essence.
Stakeholder analysis and relationship building are the most crucial aspects for the SPI. The
research envisioned here cannot take place legitimately without stakeholder buy-in and strong
partnerships.
Research must be undertaken at a grass-roots level: relationally, conceptually, and
geographically. In short, it must be useful for and to the community and be participatory
without these features, it will prove useless in fulfilling the Institutes goals.
Researchers must thoroughly embrace the Initiatives values and methods for approaching
stakeholders in an appropriate and ethical manner this will involve possible training of research
practitioners.

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

The Campolo Institute working group is supportive of the idea of the Initiative as an inaugural
project with a focus on sanctuary motifs.
Dr. Kimberlee Johnson, a professor at Eastern University, is a member of the Campolo Institutes
Task Force. She grew up in South Philadelphia and is a pastor of an African American church in
South Philadelphia. She has been an active leader in issues of social justice, specifically the Black
Lives Matter movement, at Eastern University and in Philadelphia.
Dr. Lindy Backues, a professor at Eastern University, is a member of the Campolo Institutes
Task Force and has been living and doing community organizing in South Philadelphia for nine
years. He is also an elder at a South Philly Indonesian/Burmese congregation which is also a
sanctuary church. He has also been a supporter of the New Sanctuary Movement who will be a
major stakeholder of the Initiative. Before moving to Philadelphia, he had over 20 years of
experience in cross-cultural and inter-religious community development work in Southeast Asia.
The Campolo Institutes strong link to Eastern University means that it has access to faculty as
well as undergraduate and graduate students who need research projects and graduate
assistantships.
There is room for involvement from a variety of research backgrounds, including ethnography,
anthropology, urban studies, leadership, psychology, counseling psychology, kinesiology,
computer science and theology.
The Campolo Institute has a working group made up of passionate advocates for social justice
informed by deep Christian theology.

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WEAKNESSES

There are only two people on the task force who have strong links to South Philadelphia
The Campolo Institute has yet to find funding for the initiative.
The Task Force is made of up very busy professors, students, university staff who volunteer.
There is a bit of confusion regarding the difference between applied research and action research.

OPPORTUNITIES

Public transport in South Philadelphia is very good and most places are very walkable.
Philadelphia is a sanctuary city and many of the undocumented immigrants live in South
Philadelphia.
Mayor Kenney (who grew up in South Philly) is sympathetic to immigrants and refugees and
fights for the citys sanctuary status.
Many of the different religious institutions and immigrant populations work together
Many of the civic associations at least give lip service to being supportive of the immigrant and
refugee population.
Many organizations in South Philadelphia serve the immigrant and refugee populations.
South Philadelphia has a very diverse population with many of the different groups citizens,
non-citizens, documented and undocumented - needing to benefit from social justice research.

THREATS

Many of the social work organizations serving the immigrant population are over-burdened and
many not want to take the time to work with researchers.
Parking is often a problem at certain times of the day. Researchers and staff might need to use
public transport.
Although the crime rate has dropped over the last few years in South Philadelphia, it is still higher
than other parts of Philadelphia and the greater Philadelphia Area.
Some of the community leaders might not see the importance of academic research.
It might be a challenge to get community gate-keepers to allow outsiders to interview their
constituents.
Property values are rising and the poor communities are beginning to be pushed out of South
Philadelphia.

ACTION PLAN

GOALS

GOAL #1: South Philadelphia Initiative firmly established so that Campolo Institute can continue
future research projects focused on transforming the conditions of injustice.
Responsibility of SPI Project Coordinator

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 GOAL #2: Effective South Philadelphia Initiative Sanctuary Research Project Finished so that the
institute can better help those living in sanctuary and better understand how to do sanctuary.
Responsibility of SPI Director

STRATEGIES AND TACTICS

GOAL #1: SOUTH PHILADELPHIA INITIATIVE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED

STRATEGY #1: FIND THREE ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTNER WITH INSTITUTE

Tactic #1: Discover what and who is out there?

Conduct initial appraisal of South Philadelphia environment and all possible stakeholders
within Philadelphia
Action Steps:
1. Research online data
2. Conduct community mapping / transect maps
3. Contact each stakeholder to schedule meeting times
4. Organize data online
Tactic #2: Discover who could be a partner and how?
Conduct full environmental and stakeholder analysis of South Philadelphia and within the
city of Philadelphia
Action Steps:
1. Meet with one on one with stakeholders
2. Conduct focus groups with some stakeholders
3. Record interviews/discussions
4. Approach 5 stakeholders for possible partnership

STRATEGY #2: ESTABLISH PHYSICAL PRESENCE IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

Tactic #1: Hire SPI Director and Project Coordinator

Action Steps:
1. Executive Director meets one on one with possible employees
2. Job descriptions approved by board
3. Positions filled
Tactic #2: Lease office space for 1-year in South Philadelphia
Action Steps:
1. Visit possible sites BOK, Passyunk Ave., Newbold, etc.
2. Choose site and sign lease
3. Find furniture (used) & obtain supplies
4. Sort out utilities, internet, landline?
Tactic #3: Hire graduate assistants by SPI Program Coordinator
Action Steps:
1. Look for possible students through appropriate university departments

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 2. Finish administrative related to setting up assistantships
Tactic #4: Organize administrative management goals
Actions Steps:
1. Program Coordinator creates system & workflow chart for office
2. Graduate Assistants are trained

GOAL #2: EFFECTIVE SPI SANCTUARY RESEARCH PROJECT IS FINISHED

STRATEGY #1: FIND RESEARCHER(S) FOR SANCTUARY PROJECT

Tactic #1: Distribute the initiative concept to find researchers

Tactic #2: Contact PhD students in need of research projects

STRATEGY #2: FINISH SANCTUARY IN THE STREETS REPORT

Tactic #1: Connect with stakeholders involved in the sanctuary movement

Action Steps:
1. Conduct ethnography & interviews with providers of sanctuary
2. Conduct ethnography & interviews with those living in sanctuary
3. Conduct ethnography & interviews with family members & friends of
those living in sanctuary
4. Conduct surveys (paper and online)
Tactic #2: Conduct SWOT analysis

STRATEGY #3: FINISH SANCTUARY MOTIFS REPORT FINISHED

Tactic #1: Connect with all stakeholders including those under a broader sense of
sanctuary (for example the African American community or LGBTQ community)
Action Steps:
1. Conduct ethnography & interviews with all sanctuary stakeholders
2. Conduct surveys (paper and online)
Tactic #2: Conduct SWOT analysis

STRATEGY #4: RESEARCH PROJECT RECEIVED BY COMMUNITY

Tactic #1: Meet with Community leaders to discuss research results

Tactic #2: Hold community-wide ceremony/celebration potluck

STRATEGY #5: RESEACH PROJECT PUBLISHED

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TIMELINE

BUDGET

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MEASUREMENT PLAN & EVALUATION
GOAL #1: SOUTH PHILADELPHIA INITIATIVE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED
OBJECTIVE
Find partner organizations for
future research projects with the
Institute
Physical presence established in
South Philadelphia
Major stakeholders fully aware of
Institute and its reason for being.
GOAL #2: EFFECTIVE SPI SANCTUARY RESEARCH PROJECT PUBLISHED
OBJECTIVE
Researcher(s) found for
inaugural project
Find partner organization for
research activities (New
Sanctuary Movement)
Major stakeholders in the
Sanctuary Research Project fully
aware of project and its reason
for being done
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RESPONSIBLE TIMELINE EVALUATION MEASURE
Program May 1, 2018 3 partner organizations committed to
Coordinator working with researchers with written
agreement
Program September 15, Director, Program Coordinator and Office
Coordinator 2017 staff (2 Grad assistants) hired.
Office leased for 1 year
Program April 1, 2018 10 Non-profits in South Philadelphia
Coordinator interviewed and analyzed
5 Non-profits outside South Philadelphia
interviewed and analyzed
10 Religious institutions interviewed and
analyzed
5 Government institutions interviewed and
analyzed
10 Community leaders interviewed
RESPONSIBLE TIMELINE EVALUATION MEASURE
SPI Director September 15, 1 or 2 researchers ready to begin
2017
SPI Director October 1, 1 main sanctuary partner organization
2018 committed to working with researchers
with written agreement
5 persons seeking sanctuary & their
SPI Director March 1, 2018 family members interviewed
2 religious institutions providing
sanctuary in South Philadelphia
interviewed and analyzed
3 Religious institutions outside of South
Philadelphia providing sanctuary
interviewed and analyzed
3 Non-profits in South Philadelphia
serving those seeking sanctuary
interviewed and analyzed
5 Government institutions working with
undocumented persons interviewed and
analyzed

Sanctuary motifs fully
established
Research Project Finished
7 Community leaders representing
groups of undocumented persons
interviewed
Full document written detailing
SPI Director April 1, 2018 sanctuary motifs
Written document submitted to 5
SPI Director August 31, community leaders for review
2018
1 meeting with community leaders, SPI
office staff, executive director of
Campolo Institute and a few board
members to discuss research

Community celebration with 20% of

stakeholders attending

REGULAR WEEKLY AND MONTHLY STATUS GOALS REVIEW SPI DIRECTOR, SPI PR OGRAM
COORDINATOR, GRADUAT E ASSISTANTS
What activities were done over the past week and month?
Any current actions or issues that must be addressed?
Plans for activities on the next time-period?

QUARTERLY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT REVIEW TEAM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , SPI

DIRECTOR, SPI PROGRAM COORDINATOR
What major problems exist and what is needed to address them?
How are the actual costs compared to the planned costs?
Are any actions needed to avoid financial problems?
What would you do differently about the program if you could do anything?
What limitations are holding you back from what you would ideally do if you could?
What are you learning from the program implementation so far?
How are you acknowledging and celebrating the accomplishments?

END OF YEAR EVALUATION - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SPI DIRECTOR, SPI PR OGRAM COORDINATOR,
AND CAMPOLO INSTITUT E BOARD MEMBERS
How many of the goals were accomplished?
How did the initiatives results line up with the vision and mission of the institute?
Is this initiative worth continuing?

STAFFING AND JOB DESCRIPTIONS

GENERAL DIRECTOR (CONCEPTUAL FOCUS WITH EMPHASIS ON GOAL #2)

Keep SPI vision and mission on target

Be the conceptual leader for all major activities by the SPI
Teach training sessions for staff, researchers and possible stakeholders
Conduct regular meetings with program coordinator, researchers and graduate assistants

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 Report to Campolo Institutes executive director
Meet with stakeholders one on one with program director
Monitor all steps in research project (s)
Evaluate research efforts
Participate in public events and assist in coordination efforts
Write reports and papers as necessary

PROJECT COORDINATOR (ADMINISTRATIVE FOCUS WITH EMPHASIS ON GOAL #1)

Organize graduate assistants duties

Oversea administrative tasks of the SPI
Evaluate graduate assistants performance with regular meetings
Monitor SPIs efforts toward establishing presence
Regularly report to Campolo Institutes executive director
Meet regularly with SPI director
Manage office space
Coordinate focus groups and one on one meetings with stakeholders
Strategize with SPI director
Coordinate with Eastern Universitys graduate assistant organizers
Coordinate public events and act as MC

2 GRADUATE ASSISTANTS (ASSIGNED TO BOTH SPI DIRECTOR & SPI PROJECT CO ORDINATOR)

Write up reports as directed

Input data from stakeholder analysis and environmental scan
Coordinate meeting schedules and disseminate information
General office duties
General secretarial duties
Manage the details around conducting meetings and public events
Manage information for Campolo Institute website and other media

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ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

Campolo Institute
Executive Director

SPI Director of
Research
SPI Project
(Conceptual with focus Coordinator/Office
on Goal #2) Director
(Administrative with
focus on Goal #1)

Graduate Assistant Researcher(s) Graduate Assistant

APPENDICES

GOALS FOR BOARD COMMITTEES AND CAMPOLO INSTITUTE EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Finding funding for the SPI year-long project

Hiring SPI Director & Program Coordinator
Finding office space with 1-year lease
Monitor progress (quarterly)
Find 1 or 2 researchers
Coordinate efforts for assigning graduate assistants
Reporting quarterly progress to donor(s)

COMMUNICATING THE PLAN (JOB OF EVERYONE INVOLVED?)

Write articles about the plan for internal newsletters, blog and website
Recognize progress on achieving the plans goals and objectives
at staff meetings, in newsletters, and at other agency events.
Celebrate accomplishments
Put the mission statement on letterhead and business cards.
Prepare a condensed version of the plan in an attractive brochure
and distribute it to interested persons and organizations.
Provide media interviews.
Give presentations at conferences (dog and pony shows).
Produce a video or special newsletter on the strategic plan.

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MAP OF SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

HISTORY OF SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

Up until the 19th century South Philadelphia (below South Street) was primarily rural. Now the area is
full of neighborhoods consisting of mostly old row homes that were built for factory workers who
immigrated from Europe and from the Southern States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
(Rizzo, 2013). South Philadelphias original native population, the Lenni-lenape natives, called this area
Wiccacoe which is translated, Peaceful Place (Sitarski, 2015). From before the turn of the century
Irish, Russian Jews, African Americans and Italians settled in South Philly looking for a better life and a
livelihood in the manufacturing industry. Almost all immigrants were escaping devastating poverty,
conflict and/or persecution and of all the newcomers, the Irish and the Italians were most dominant
(Rizzo, 2013).

Since the late 1970s till now, South Philadelphia has experienced a second wave of immigration,
transforming a predominantly Italian, Irish and African American enclave into a place full of arrivals
from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Mexico and Myanmar (Singer, Vitiello, Katz, Park,
2008; Stapleford 2009, p.22). Of the most recent undocumented immigrants, most are from Indonesia,
Mexico and Central American who began settling in South Philadelphia at the beginning of the New
Millennium. Many came with families and others have since had children born in the United States.
They most often work illegally in exploitative environments such as factories and restaurants illegally
often for less than minimum wage and in less than satisfactory conditions.

OVERVIEW OF THE SANCTUARY PROJECT- WRITTEN BY LINDY BACKUES & REBECCA HAYS

TITLE
South Philadelphia Interfaith Sanctuary in Times of Insecurity

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BACKGROUND
Eastern University has established The Campolo Institute for Applied Research in Social Justice, an
institute with a focus on efforts that pursue the ends of justice in the context of community-based,
participatory research, as well as other applied research approaches. For its inaugural project, we propose
a research initiative that we believe has untapped potential by and that aligns with the vision and mission
of the CI. This initiative centers around social justice work being done in South Philadelphia;
specifically, the interfaith, multicultural sanctuary movement centered on justice. Our overarching goal is
to determine how can we best serve those living in sanctuary, those organizing sanctuary spaces, and
those who are marginally involved in the sanctuary process within South Philadelphia. Our research will
seek to address the differences between two distinct but related questions: 1) how should we help those
living in sanctuary? and2) how should we do sanctuary? We believe this will result in meaningful
solutions for specific, practical problems faced by sanctuary communities both local to Philadelphia as
well as problems wider in scope.

Given the precarious US political climate with respect to immigrants (those documented as well as not
documented), to refugees, to persons of color, to women, to LGBTQ persons, and to others, and given the
privileged position of many of us here in South Philadelphia where we enjoy sympathetic state and
municipal governments and where we already enjoy strong relationships between communities and
individuals who embrace very different identities and worldviews, but who also already possess
significant levels of cooperation and mutual respect we plan to start locally. Thus, one of CI's first ideas
is to center its applied research activity by leveraging from interfaith, multicultural notions of sanctuary
based upon tangible notions of justice. South Philadelphia seems a natural place to do that. Still, much is
unknown about the reasons for seeking sanctuary and the needs that those individuals have once in
sanctuary. Even less is known about the needs of those organizing sanctuary spaces for others, and their
needs given the nature of their work. Our research will focus on developing a set of best practices for
those providing sanctuary while working alongside those who are in desperate need for it, and those needs
that develop once sanctuary has been granted. Our aim is to then catalyze change that results in
identifiable flourishing among individuals, families, and communities.

RESEARCH METHOD OVERVIEW

Our focus will be on concrete methodologies, such as (but not limited to) action research,
evaluations/assessments, and policy research. Naturally, our means of research will then include
systematic inquiry based upon a wide variety of theories, knowledge and techniques. For our research to
take place, we believe we will have to use ethnography of the people who are living in sanctuary to better
understand their needs, of the organizers to find out if there are shared themes between different sanctuary
locations to better determine the tools needed to continue their work, and those who are marginally
involved in the sanctuary process such as volunteers, family members, etc. Much of this research requires
that we have a presence within the South Philadelphia community, having some element of operations
there to better understand and to gain the trust of the community. Being that the risks of this type of
research are massive, particularly to all of those seeking sanctuary, we must stress the importance of our
research team maintaining their proximity to the sanctuary locations to produce the most complete results
and to work alongside those groups already involved in sanctuary without getting in their way.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF SANCTUARY MOTIFS
We envision rooting potential and concrete sanctuary practices in already established faith motifs found in
our faith communities, such as Jewish and Christian images of cities of refuge or Islamic notions of the
city of Madinah as a haram (sanctuary) city or of notions of dhimmi (protected persons.) Furthermore, we
hope that gathering these notions together and exploring them collectively (accompanied by concrete,
local efforts in applying what we learn in the city of Philadelphia) might place before us conceptual tools
that we can use so that we might internally learn from each alternative notions of sanctuary. We are not
committed to but are interested in widening the number of contributing motifs and images at our disposal
(not limiting these to Jewish, Christian, or Muslim images) such as Buddhist or Hindu or Sikh or Bahai
contributors or any variety of resources which we believe could potentially serve to enrich our mutual
understanding of what sanctuary might be. This interfaith aspect could be central or tangential to the end
results of our research, as the communities we will be working with come from diverse faith and cultural
backgrounds. The priority is to best care for those going into and coming out of sanctuary, believing that
to be found most predominantly in our faith communities as we are called to be kinder and more helpful
to those in most need.

We expect our research to result in an explicit understanding of what is working and what is not working
in how we provide sanctuary in the modern day. We will have dove into a rather murky understanding of
who these sanctuary seekers and providers are, coming back with tools created to help those people in
sanctuary to live lives that flourish. This may very well result in a complete change in how we do
sanctuary, bringing us closer to the kinder, more helpful personhood envisioned in our faith communities
which makes this research both exciting and incredibly important.

SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS FOR THE SUB-PROJECTS

Working with those providing Sanctuary
How is Sanctuary defined and understood within a given community? What are the perceived
misconceptions outside of the community?
Is the desire to provide Sanctuary the unifying characteristic of these groups?
Where are the gaps/needs in their work?
What is working/not working in providing Sanctuary? What are the obstacles?
What provides hope to/for the community? Can others bring or contribute to their hope?
Caring for those in Sanctuary
How are churches (or other houses of worship) preparing to bring in people in need of Sanctuary?
What are the physical, emotional, and mental needs for those in Sanctuary?
How are these physical, emotional, and mental needs addressed or not addressed by those
providing Sanctuary?
What could church (or other houses of worship) do to better prepare for bringing in those in need
of Sanctuary?
What can be done to address needs while people are in Sanctuary?
What would need to be done for people to be prepared to exit from Sanctuary?
Sanctuary in the Streets
How is the network arranged for communication?
How could the network be better arranged?
Are they dealing with the need for geotargeting? How?
What are the legal concerns (e.g. recordings, pictures, being arrested) they are concerned about?

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 What do they need to do their work better?
Are there other types of non-church Sanctuary methods that would work well?
Is Sanctuary in the streets working? And how do we define working?
The importance of sanctuary motifs
What sanctuary motifs are they familiar with?
What sanctuary motifs inspire the communities to get involved in the Sanctuary movement or to
stay involved?
Do faith-based sanctuary motifs cross faith-tradition boundaries in their effectiveness?
Are there interfaith or non-faith sanctuary motifs that inspire people?

HOW METHODS ADDRESS RESEARCH QUESTIONS (NUMBERS AND LETTERS REFER TO

RESEARCH QUESTIONS F OR SUB-PROJECTS ABOVE)
Ethnography and interviews with those providing Sanctuary - all (1a-e, 2a-f, 3a-g, and 4 a-d)
Ethnography and interviews with those in Sanctuary - 1a, 2a-f, 3g, 4a-d
Ethnography and interviews with those with friends/family members in Sanctuary - all
SWOT analysis- 1c-e, 2a-f, 3b, 3e, 3g, 4c-d
Journals for those in Sanctuary - 1a, 2a-f, 4a-d
Internet or paper-based surveys - all
Additional methods will be developed and implemented during the research planning process

EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Working with those providing Sanctuary
Understanding of Sanctuary and how it unifies and inspires the community
Identify gaps in Sanctuary work and possible fixes
Identify the next steps to help the communities address their needs
Use what we learn from one community to inspire others
Caring for those in Sanctuary
Identify needs of those in Sanctuary
Develop best management plans for those providing Sanctuary
Develop plans to assure better emotional, mental, and physical health for those in Sanctuary
Allow those in Sanctuary to have a voice
Prepare possible exit plans/strategies for those in Sanctuary
Sanctuary in the Streets
Identify gaps in Sanctuary in the Streets work
Determine how to provide a better network for notifying people
Possibly assist with creating such a network/app
Develop best management practices
Provide basic guidance for legal concerns
Identify other types of Sanctuary that could work
The importance of Sanctuary motifs
Identify important Sanctuary motifs
Identify interfaith Sanctuary motifs
Honor the tradition of Sanctuary

DISSEMINATION PLANS
Research Blogs for many of the research questions

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 Publications in journals (e.g. best management plans, caring for those in Sanctuary, identifying
inspiration and hope in Sanctuary community, Sanctuary motifs, etc. - nothing sensitive that
would put those in Sanctuary or providing Sanctuary at risk)
Colloquium Series - Sanctuary motifs, narratives and stories of those in or providing Sanctuary
Deliverables - best management plans, possible app for Sanctuary in the Streets

EASTERN FACULTY AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

These sub-projects can easily be segmented and divided up based on location (e.g. South Philadelphia or
other Sanctuary cities or even abroad) and conducted by a variety of Eastern faculty and students, both
graduate and undergraduate. There is room for involvement from a variety of research backgrounds,
including ethnography, anthropology, urban studies, leadership, psychology, counseling psychology,
kinesiology, computer science, and theology. This research could serve as the basis for thesis or other
research projects. This work will have to be both multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary in nature to
order to provide the best understanding of and service for the Sanctuary movement.

LEADERSHIP THEORY

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP THEORY AND SERVANT LEADERSHIP THEORY

The leadership theories that seem to be most applicable to the out-workings of the South Philadelphia
Initiative are transformational leadership and servant leadership theory. Servant leadership emphasizes
the need for leaders to put the needs of others before themselves. The mission of the Initiative is to serve
a very diverse population that has known hardship, inequality, oppression and discrimination. Posturing
oneself as a learner and a listener needs to be done at a deep level and must be foundational in forming
the culture of the initiative. A commitment to seeing others succeed such as employees, colleagues,
partner organizations and other stakeholders will promote a sense of community, teamwork and
reciprocity. Greenleaf evaluates servant leadership by asking whether the least privileged in society
would benefit under a persons leadership (Greenleaf, 1977, p. 15).

Like servant leadership, transformational leadership is highly concerned with the needs of others directly
under their leadership and in society as a whole (Northouse, 2013, p. 201). Transformational leaders are
charismatic, have a strong moral compass, and can impart a vision for a better future motivating people to
work together to make systemic social changes (pp. 185-186). This kind of leader for the South
Philadelphia Initiative would be concerned with creating a project that would reflect a humane
standard of fairness and justice thus influencing staff, researchers and other stakeholders to hold a high
set of moral standards (p. 187). Additionally, the transformational leader is committed to living out
his/her values at a deep level and is intellectually and experientially capable of leading the initiative in
action research that will truly contribute to positive change for both researchers, participants, and society
(2013).

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THEORY

To be able to fulfill the goals put forth in this initial plan, it requires leadership that recognizes the
challenges of working within a very complex web of relationships both internally and externally. The

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initiative needs to be flexible and able to change according to the needs of the community rather than
focusing only on the needs of the initiative, the institute or Eastern University. The culture within the
initiative must have firmly held values and principles and together must have a clear understanding of the
vision and how they want to behave together (Wheatley, 1999, p. 106). The initiative must also be able
to truly engage with the South Philadelphia stakeholders as explorers and discoverers (p. 173) fully
aware of the complex, never still, always weaving tapestry of South Philadelphia (p. 38). Those
working for and researching on behalf of the initiative need to have good people skills and realize the
importance of deep listening and sincere respect for others differences.

REFLECTION OF STRATEGIC PLANNING PR OCESS

The process of a creating a strategic plan was for me rather daunting. I realized that there many kinds of
plans and different ways of structuring a plan and lots of books written on the subject. Deciding how to
begin took longer than I would have expected. Before I started, I worked through what leadership
theories I wanted to use in approaching this plan as well as the practical application of these theories.
This tactic was very helpful in that it informed what I wanted to prioritize regarding to values, strategies,
actions steps and so on. However, I also realized that this plan is flawed from the start in that I was alone
in creating most of it. A proper strategic plan requires a working team and a far more intricate process.

I would like to present this less than perfect plan as a work in progress or a working document. I think it
will be helpful for the Task Force to have something as a point of departure at least as they add or subtract
making the plan more usable. Any plan should not be set in stone. It should change as needed as it is put
into action.

REFERENCES

Audrey Singer, D. V. (2008, November). Recent Immigration to Philadelphia: Regional Change in a Re-
Emerging Gateway. Retrieved from Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings:
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/reports/2008/11/13-immigration-
singer/1113_immigration_singer.pdf

Autry, J. A. (2001). The Servant Leader. New York: Three Rivers Press.

Bill George, P. S. (2007, February). Managing Yourself: Discovering Your Authentic leadership.
Harvard Business Review, pp. 129-138. Retrieved April 26, 2017, from
https://eastern.brightspace.com/d2l/le/content/24383/viewContent/608950/View

Bryson, J. M. (2011). Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit organizations 4th Edition. San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and
Greatness. New York: Paulist Press.

Kroenke, D., & Auer, D. (2009). Database Concepts. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

McNamara, C. (2000). Field Guide to Nonprofit Program Design, Marketing and Evaluation. St. Paul:
Authenticity Consulting, LLC.

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New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia. (2010). Sanctuary by Defying Deportation Orders. Retrieved
from New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia:
http://www.sanctuaryphiladelphia.org/index.php/campaigns/sanctuary-for-families

Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. New Delhi: Sage Publications.

Rizzo, M. (2013). South Philadelphia. Retrieved from Philadelphia Encyclopedia:

http://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/south-philadelphia-essay/

Stapleford, J. E. (2009). Give Me Your Tired Your Poor: The Economics of Immigration. In Bulls, Bears,
and Golden Calves (pp. 220-231). Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press.

Welcome Center. (2015). Immigrant Communities: The United States is a Country of Immigrants.
Retrieved from The Welcoming Center for New Philadelphians:
http://www.welcomingcenter.org/impact/immigrant-community

Wheatley, M. J. (1999). Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World. San
Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.

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