Given that Congress is likely to take up welfare reform again this year, we’re particularly interested this time in ministries that help people get off or stay off welfare. Given that marriage is under assault, we want to hear about groups that help people get married or stay married.

In December it was money: Ministries may have barraged you with fund-requesting letters. Between now and Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, we’d like you to think of love: Email us a note about a poverty-fighting ministry in your community that touches your heart.

Yes, our sixth annual Effective Compassion contest begins now. Please send nominations to June McGraw ([email protected]). Please describe in a sentence or two how the local ministry you recommend is practicing biblical compassion that is challenging, personal, and spiritual. Please include the director’s name and the organization’s phone number, address, and web address.

As you may recall from last year, we’ll assess the nominees and send out reporters to eyeball the most promising ones. We’ll then choose a winner in each of four regions—Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. We’ll publish feature stories on the Final Four during the spring and summer and will let subscribers vote (last year, 7,500 did). As the leaves fall we’ll report the national winner.

Those who nominate the four winners will receive a one-year WORLD subscription or extension.

Given that Congress is likely to take up welfare reform again this year, we’re particularly interested this time in ministries that help people get off or stay off welfare. Given that marriage is under assault, we want to hear about groups that help people get married or stay married.

Tips: Organizations nominated should be explicitly Christian, with ample use of volunteers and a track record of creating bonds between helpers and helped. What they’re doing in one place should be doable by others elsewhere. We prefer small groups that don’t take money from governmental agencies. And, while email is easier, you may also write to June McGraw at WORLD, P.O. Box 20002, Asheville, NC 28802-9998.

Source: http://www.worldmag.com/compassion/compassion_2011.cfm