Sally Buchholz of A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy (AMOS) spoke to the Perry Lions Club last week
Started in the mid-1990s by a group of Catholic bishops, AMOS is now an association of about 40 churches that aims to develop community leaders, strengthen institutions and get people to work together to improve life in central Iowa, Buchholz told the Perry Lions.
She said a steering committee was formed by eight churches in Polk County with the goal of solving community problems by working with individuals, businesses and government.
One recent AMOS project was with the Des Moines Area Rapid Transit (DART) public bus service in Polk County. The group’s efforts prevented a 40% reduction in public transportation service in the Des Moines area.
AMOS has also been working on helping families access affordable homes in the Des Moines area. AMOS is an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation, the nation’s oldest and largest organizing network.
AMOS organized the Building Bridges Seminar in Perry last fall in order to explore ways to improve the lives of Iowa families and help rural communities thrive. Statewide leaders from three church denominations and 120 people attended the conference. The participants were drawn from a wide geographical area with different political and theological lines. The aim of the conference was to find ways to help Iowa families and communities.
Perry Lion Don Ruggle, an Amos member, invited Buchholz to address the Lions, and thanked her for the informative discussion. An AMOS meeting will be held Tuesday, May 6 at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Perry in order to discuss local community needs.
Ray Harden is the secretary of the Perry Lions Club.
