Covenant Presbyterian Church

Fort Myers, Florida

Covenant Presbyterian in Fort Myers, Florida, works to dismantle structural racism and eradicate systemic poverty through Lee Interfaith for Empowerment (L.I.F.E.), a multi-ethnic, multi-faith justice organization. During the April Nehemiah Action — a rally on Zoom — 150 Covenant representatives were among 1,500 participants who met with the Lee County sheriff and the Fort Myers mayor. The event resulted in commitments from the sheriff for specific actions toward issuing civil citations for youth (as opposed to arrest), so they do not have a criminal record that follows them into adulthood, and for providing care for the mentally ill who find themselves in the county justice system. The mayor promised to actively advocate for affordable housing with the Fort Myers City Council. A few days later, 50 L.I.F.E. members mobilized at City Hall to host a prayer vigil and speak out for affordable housing, with the City Council voting unanimously to create an affordable housing trust fund.