United Interfaith Action (UIA) held a meeting at St. Michael's School on June 20, 2012 to describe its vision of job creation and improved employment opportunities for the residents of Fall River. Over 200 people attended the hour and fifteen minute session on a warm evening that brought out the Mayor and City Councilors Linda Pereira, Ray Mitchell and Dave Dennis to hear several proposals. One specific recommendation was to support a residency requirement for all city employees. UIA is a congregation-based community improvement organization that has been active in Fall River for over ten years. Leaders and clergy of the Church of the Holy Spirit, St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Michael's, St. Josephs, Union United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church organized the meeting. Click here for the Herald News story. Click here for the video of the meeting. Click here for photos of a previous action meeting. For more information about UIA, contact Francisco Ramos at 508-673-4670.
 

(Top row) Rev. Edward Correia, pastor of St. Michael's Parish, opens the meeting with prayer before Chelsey Aguiar sings a solo while Mayor Flanagan listens. (Row two, left) Durfee Class of 2012 graduate Steven Tith talks about his job with Youth Connection that he got through CD-REC. (Row two, right) Former Saint Anne's Hospital CEO Mike Metzler talks about the many employment possibilities for youth in the healthcare sector. (Row three) Mayor Flanagan and City Councilors Linda Perreira, Ray Mitchell and Dave Dennis respond to the question of whether they would support an ordinance requiring city employees to live within Fall River within a year of being hired. (Bottom row) Councilor Mitchell and Yvette Mancini of St. Mary's Parish respond to the meeting. (Bottom row, right) Mr. Metzler and Tom Perreira, Executive Director of the Bristol County Workforce Investment Board, talk with MassCAN organizer Lou Finfer following the meeting.