Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune

Welcome to the Ecumenical Poverty Initiative website! EPI empowers and mobilizes the faith community to end the scandal of poverty in the United States.

The statistics about those living in poverty in the U.S. are alarming. More than 43 million people in our nation live in poverty, including one in three children. This is shameful and cause for deep concern. As Christians, this is also a call to prophetic action and to speak truth to power.

Our faith teaches us that we are to be the voice of the voiceless and to act on behalf of the least among us, to help the needy and those living in poverty. We believe that a part of our call is to make sure policy decisions at the local, state and national levels help rather than hurt those who are the most vulnerable. This work to end poverty is part of Jesus’ mandate for us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Fighting for justice in policy decisions and breaking down the systemic economic and racial disparities that cause poverty is a public expression of and witness to God’s love.

At the Ecumenical Poverty Initiative we work with churches, pastors, religious leaders, and parishioners across the country to fulfill our faith mandate to care for the poor, the sick, the vulnerable, and those who are marginalized in the halls of power. We also work with community and interfaith partners in coalitions where our shared focus of ending poverty is strengthened by our collaborative efforts. But, we need you to join us in order for our work to prosper and bear fruit. Find out more about how you can support our efforts here.

We’d love to hear from you with any questions, comments, or ways we can help you fight against poverty. You can reach us at info@faithendpoverty.org. Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @faithendpoverty.