March 31, 2009

Dear Capital Region leader:

We are writing you today on behalf of ARISE.  Over the years, we have been strong and enthusiastic supporters of this organization’s faith-based mission to revitalize poor neighborhoods, and we want to encourage you as one of our region’s key leaders to attend, to bring your staff, and to underwrite ARISE’s New Opportunities Forum.  Sponsorships are $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000, and all proceeds will go toward helping sustain ARISE’s crucial work shaping public policy and building regional partnerships for economic opportunity and community development.  We are both contributing ourselves and we hope you will join us in this worthy cause.

Please note the new date:

New Opportunities Forum for Tech Valley

Policy Ideas for Pipelines of Opportunity from Distressed Neighborhoods to Areas of Growth in the Capital Region

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 1 – 5pm @ the Crowne Plaza, Albany

Though there have of course been many conferences and meetings about Tech Valley, ARISE’s event is unique and especially significant in two respects: 

1. It will have a single-minded focus on framing positive public policy ideas for greater opportunity that we as a region can enact in the coming year, especially with the federal stimulus dollars that have just become available and work beginning at the GlobalFoundries’ plant; &
2. It will include a diverse set of presenters and community participants including everyone from high-ranking federal, state, and local officials to corporate, labor and non-profit leaders to ordinary residents from every part of the area.  An agenda is enclosed and we think you will agree it looks to be a compelling and auspicious day for our region.

As an elected official and a leader in the faith community who have long-standing working relationships with ARISE, we want to convey our confidence in the worthiness of its goals and its solid record of creating partnerships that achieve impressive results:  ARISE has played a crucial role increasing state support for dropout prevention and youth programming; shaping state and local policies and funding for increased homeownership; & promoting proven community development and crime prevention strategies. 

ARISE has consistently championed regional collaboration in a way that joins social uplift with economic development, and April 14 will be a culmination and fruition of this essential work—we encourage you to be part of this exciting day and to support ARISE’s indispensable role as a catalyst and regional community-builder.

Very truly yours,

Bishop Howard Hubbard,                               Representative Paul Tonko

Albany Diocese                                              21^st Congressional District