Bridge Street Third Annual Empowerment Sunday April 29, 2012

BRIDGE STREET DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
BRINGS BROOKLYN CHURCHES TOGETHER
FOR EMPOWERMENT SUNDAY

Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Bishop Hezekiah Walker and
his Love Fellowship Tabernacle Church lead call to parishioners
to take control of financial future

Brooklyn, NY – Bridge Street Development Corporation (BSDC), in partnership with the Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford-Stuyvesant (CIBS), announces that the 3rd Annual Empowerment Sunday will take place on April 29, 2012. Each spring since 2010, BSDC and CIBS have collaborated with dozens of churches throughout Central Brooklyn to dedicate a day to providing information and resources to parishioners about financial empowerment and combating foreclosure. Last year, with 55 churches participating in Empowerment Sunday, approximately 8,000 parishioners heard sermons about financial health and the importance of seeking foreclosure assistance early in the process. BSDC and CIBS are dedicated to helping families meet the challenge of surviving one of the toughest economic periods in modern times.

On Empowerment Sunday, clergy at approximately 50 participating churches will take the pulpit to preach the same message encouraging parishioners to take control of their financial future. After worship services, volunteers will be on hand to provide church members with valuable information and resources to achieve financial stability and create wealth. Church members can get information about foreclosure prevention, financial counseling, employment services, first-time homebuyers’ assistance, post-purchase homeownership counseling, legal aid, and starting or growing a small business. Together, BSDC and CIBS will link parishioners who are in need of assistance with free counselors, programs and services to help them preserve their homes, become financially stable, and create wealth.

Contact participating churches for their schedule of worship services on Empowerment Sunday. For more information about Empowerment Sunday, visit www.bsdcorp.org/events/empowermentsunday2012

A Partial List of Participating Churches
Love Fellowship Tabernacle Church (host church)
Bishop Hezekiah Walker
464 Liberty Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207

Bridge Street A.W.M.E. Church
Rev. David B. Cousin, Sr.
277 Stuyvesant Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221

Antioch Baptist Church
Rev. Robert M. Waterman
826-828 Greene Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221
Grace Tabernacle Christian Center
Elder David Wright
1745 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY 11213

Nazarene Congregational Church
Rev. Conrad B. Tillard
506 MacDonough Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233
Pentecostal House of Prayer
Bishop Luther Dingle
203 Nostrand Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11205

About Bridge Street Development Corporation
Founded in 1995, the Bridge Street Development Corporation (BSDC) is a faith-based, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to build partnerships with businesses, government, and other community stakeholders to provide civic and economic opportunities to the residents of Central Brooklyn. BSDC’s vision is to preserve Bedford-Stuyvesant as a desirable neighborhood for raising families, owning businesses and taking part in rich cultural, spiritual and recreational opportunities. Their motto, “Building on Community Strength,” describes the core belief that the most effective way to improve a community is to develop and promote local assets, including people, homes, businesses, and organizations. To learn more about BSDC visit www.bsdcorp.org or call (718) 399-0146.

About Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford-Stuyvesant
Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford-Stuyvesant (CIBS) is a member association dedicated to working to create effective collaboration among local organizations committed to positively impacting the Bedford-Stuyvesant community. Our primary goals focus on maintaining and enhancing an equitable, healthy and sustainable community that produces economic and social betterment for the indigenous people of our community. To learn more about CIBS visit www.cibsbedstuy.org.

Press Contact:
Pauline Barfield, Barfield Public Relations
212.736.0404 / 917.620.1311 / Email: pb736@aol.com

Official Website: http://www.bsdcorp.org/events/empowermentsunday2012