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Since 2004, Sherman has served as Editorial Director of FASTEN (Faith and Service Technical Education Network), the Internet’s largest clearinghouse of educational resources for faith-based community development practitioners.

A collaborative initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts, FASTEN's mission is to strengthen and support faith-based social services, especially in distressed urban communities. Given the increased national attention to faith-based, anti-poverty initiatives, more religious organizations are exploring whether to enter, or expand their current efforts in, the social service arena. Congregations and other religiously affiliated organizations that desire to work in this area--and the public administrators and private foundations that might wish to collaborate with them--need reliable information about what works, what does not, and why. Then these audiences need practical tools and training to launch or expand new initiatives and partnerships.

FASTEN seeks to meet these needs by building capacity among faith-based organizations (FBOs) and their potential partners. We believe that by providing educational materials, training and technical assistance, a highly navigable website filled with practical, relevant information and tools, and a peer-to-peer learning community--and by bolstering networks within and among our three audiences--FBOs, private funders, and public administrators will be equipped for more and better collaborations. By building FBOs’ capacity, we believe their services can be expanded and enhanced—ultimately, we hope, leading to better outcomes for people in need, as FBOs increase their reach and effectiveness.

Click here to learn more about FASTEN.