At a time where religion is often viewed as more divisive than ever, one organization is celebrating 30 years of bringing different faiths together. On Sunday, Quad Cities Interfaith, or QCI, will celebrate its 30th Anniversary.
The president, Reverend Clark Olson-Smith, says QCI has spent the last three decades uniting congregations to promote racial and economic equity. It started during the farm crisis in the 1980s, finding jobs and housing for local residents.
And most recently, it led the development of a Mental Health Court program in Scott County.
This year, QCI also started a program with the Illinois Department of Transportation at Black Hawk College, to train minorities and women for jobs in highway construction.
Olson-Smith says Quad Cities Interfaith now includes 27 congregations and community groups. And despite its wide-ranging religions and faiths, QCI continues to focus on their common ground.
During its 30th Anniversary Celebration, Quad Cities Interfaith will also announce plans for the next 30 years. They include starting a $100,000 fundraising campaign.
The Quad Cities Interfaith Anniversary Celebration will be held from 3:30 to 6 pm Sunday at the Freight House in Davenport.