Only Evangelical Christians Need Apply for Jobs at Little Rock Homeless Center?
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Updated: January 10, 2013
A faith-based group that wants to run a Little Rock resource center for homeless people aims only to hire evangelical Christians to manage it and that has some members of other church-based groups concerned.
"Many members of other Faith traditions, 'unchurched' persons, the business community, and the civic community, do not appear to be 'qualified' to participate or be employed under these restrictive hiring requirements," wrote Anthony Falkowksi, Director of Missions and Outreach for the First United Methodist Church.
Falkowski sent a letter stating that on Dec. 22, 2012 to the City of Little Rock. Falkowski, who is a member of the Arkansas Homeless Coalition, is concerned about the hiring guidelines of the Union Rescue Mission.
The Mission is close to hammering out a one year contract with the city to run the Day Resource Center along Confederate Boulevard which the city and the City of North Little Rock has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to build. The facility is still under construction.
The executive director of the Union Rescue Mission did not return KARK's calls seeking comment.
Falkowski said he doesn't think URM will change its mind or budge on its hiring guidelines.
"We can debate that from now till kingdom come and I don't see hearts and minds changing on that position soon." he said.
KARK sent the letter to the Arkansas ACLU which did not comment but did say that it is reviewing the matter and has contacted the city attorney's office.
As for Falkowski, he says his greatest concern is to serve the needs of the homeless regardless of differences among those in the faith-based community.
"Many members of other Faith traditions, 'unchurched' persons, the business community, and the civic community, do not appear to be 'qualified' to participate or be employed under these restrictive hiring requirements," wrote Anthony Falkowksi, Director of Missions and Outreach for the First United Methodist Church.
Falkowski sent a letter stating that on Dec. 22, 2012 to the City of Little Rock. Falkowski, who is a member of the Arkansas Homeless Coalition, is concerned about the hiring guidelines of the Union Rescue Mission.
The Mission is close to hammering out a one year contract with the city to run the Day Resource Center along Confederate Boulevard which the city and the City of North Little Rock has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to build. The facility is still under construction.
The executive director of the Union Rescue Mission did not return KARK's calls seeking comment.
Falkowski said he doesn't think URM will change its mind or budge on its hiring guidelines.
"We can debate that from now till kingdom come and I don't see hearts and minds changing on that position soon." he said.
KARK sent the letter to the Arkansas ACLU which did not comment but did say that it is reviewing the matter and has contacted the city attorney's office.
As for Falkowski, he says his greatest concern is to serve the needs of the homeless regardless of differences among those in the faith-based community.
