We are called in our faith communities to "love mercy and do justice." Our civic traditions call us to the work of charity to provide immediate relief for those in need. Our faith and civic traditions have demonstrated success in developing ministries and programs of charity in the areas of food, shelter and clothing, but what about equally effective initiatives to get at the root causes of those needs? Can we point to the programs in our institutions that intentionally ask the questions, "Why are they hungry?" and "Why do they need shelter or clothing?" The lay leaders of Together West Michigan Education Fund (TWM Education Fund) teach institutional leaders how to create effective initiatives to get at the systems level causes of these and other issues. 

Our effectiveness is borne out by a proven track record of success including:

• Winning an additional $19 Million commitment for contracts with minority owned/women owned/micro local businesses in the Three Towers Project in Grand Rapids 
• Getting the Michigan Driver's Test translated to Swahili to support the 8,000 Swahili speakers in Kent County 
• Helping renew the Ready by 5 millage in Kent County by a 20,000 vote landslide victory