More than 40 persons, representing 35 groups, attended a workshop in Las Vegas to learn how to write a successful grant application. The Las Vegas HUD Field Office along with the Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives (CFFBI) sponsored the two day Grant Writing Workshop on March 3rd and 4th, 2004.

The sessions began with the showing of clips from the video, "Faith In Action," that provided testimonials of successful programs at work in economic and housing development, and human service programs. The attendees listened and actively participated. They learned HUD programs and the basics of how to access the programs. The groups also participated in evaluating a successfully funded Youthbuild application to learn the process of proposal evaluation. In addition, groups developed mission and vision statements. This was for the purpose of understanding the importance of focusing for organizational development. Finally, the attendees received a down-to-earth presentation of the elements of Program Planning and Grant Writing.

According to Pastor James Rogers, of Greater New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and President of the Greater New Jerusalem Life Center, "�the workshop was enlightening and inspiring." He stated, " Ron, I demand a meeting next week because GNJ wants to do more."

Lillie Zinnerman, Region IX Liaison to the CFFBI, of the San Francisco HUD Office and Ron Miles, Operations Specialist/Southern Nevada HUD Faith-based Liaison, were the primary trainers. More people from HUD, including Roy Porter, Senior Community Planning and Development (CPD) Representative; Phyllis Beech, CPD representative; and Denisha Dials, Office Assistant; were on hand to assist.