Faith in Action: Memorial CDC Participates in Indiana’s First Faith-Based Housing Summit

Contributed by Ishaiah Williams

When nearly 400 faith communities from across Indiana gathered in Indianapolis for the inaugural Faith in Action: Housing, Opportunity and Community Summit, Memorial Community Development Corporation (MCDC) was honored to be part of the conversation and the work behind the scenes. 

Hosted by the Indiana Faith-Based Institutions Initiative (FBII) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the leadership of HUD Field Office Director, Kimberly Wize, the summit brought together churches, nonprofit organizations, housing developers, government agencies, lenders, and community leaders to explore how faith communities can partner with government resources to create intentional community development opportunities.

For generations, churches have served as gathering places, centers of support, and trusted institutions within our local neighborhoods. The summit challenged faith communities to consider how those same spaces and relationships can help address housing shortages and create stronger, healthier communities. Throughout the summit, attendees learned about housing development, funding opportunities, government resources, and strategies for turning community-focused ideas into real projects. 

For Memorial CDC, the summit was about more than collecting information. It was an opportunity to share the organization’s journey with others, while pursuing similar missions. “It is all about encouraging and empowering one another, exchanging resources and best practices, and strengthening partnerships,” said Serita Cabell, executive director of Memorial CDC.   

Organizations represented various stages of development, but their passion for serving people and improving neighborhoods was evident. The conversations among participants served as a reminder that meaningful community impact begins with a shared vision and a commitment to service.

Memorial CDC had the privilege of assisting with registration, event setup, and providing support throughout the conference, and experience that provided intentional networking opportunities that could help advance future housing and community development initiatives. 

As the organization continues its mission of neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing developments, events like this reinforce the importance of collaboration. No single organization can solve the housing challenges facing communities alone. However, when individuals with a heart to serve come together with a common purpose, meaningful change becomes possible.