ICARE is an organization of 25 congregations in Duval County that is now in its fourteenth year. Combined, our congregations represent more than 15,000 residents from a broad cross-section of the Jacksonville community.
We are incorporated in Florida as a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) tax exempt and politically non-partisan organization. Our mission is to powerfully address citywide concerns related to issues of justice and fairness. We are a direct action organization not a direct service organization. We use our power to press our elected officials and other city leaders on county-wide solutions.
Each year ICARE members vote democratically to determine the problems ICARE will focus on for the year. After months of research to develop proven solutions ICARE holds a large public assembly to secure commitments from local officials to implement those solutions.
This year we had nearly 1,800 people at our Annual Nehemiah Assembly, where we gained commitments from the State Attorney’s Office to support an evidence-based restorative justice program creating Neighborhood Accountability Boards in high-crime neighborhoods. ICARE also worked with the Duval County Public Schools to begin an evidence-based Corrective Reading reading curriculum for 536 elementary and middle school students who are two or more years behind in reading. Finally, ICARE received a commitment from Mayor Alvin Brown to continue efforts of Mayor Peyton to establish a day-time drop-in center that would serve approximately 4,000 homeless in Jacksonville.
In 2009, ICARE secured commitments from 6 area hospitals to adopt “Baby Friendly” practices outlined by the World Health Organization to reduce infant mortality. This year NAS Jax Hospital became the first area hospital to be officially certified as Baby Friendly. Each hospital continues to make progress toward healthier babies and this year the Florida Department of health reported Duval County’s infant mortality rate at a 20 year low.
At least 30,000 children in Duval County Public Schools are not reading on grade level (Florida Department of Education).
Poor reading scores are a significant factor in the low graduation rate. Children two or more years behind in reading are significantly more likely to drop out that kids who read on grade level (Johns Hopkins University).
A low graduation rate has negative ramifications, including an increase in violent crime. According to the United Way of Northeast Florida, increasing the high school graduation rate by just 10% would prevent 25 homicides and 927 aggravated assaults.
ICARE has had a profound impact on reducing behavior of Duval County Public School students that leads them to the criminal justice system.”
- Nancy Ricker, ICARE Treasurer and Co-Chair of the ICARE Crime Committee
