A dozen Rochester-area faith-based groups and one union are joining forces to tackle some social and community issues.
The alliance, called "Rochester ACTS", drew about 250 people to an organizing meeting Sunday.
Marvin Mich, director of advocacy for the Catholic Family Center, says they want to affect real change in their communities . "And we felt that the responses so far have not gone deep enough in addressing issues like poverty and violence. So, it's an effort where we're building leadership from the grassroots where we're getting organizations - mainly faith-based - to work together."
Mich says there is also concern about unemployment and education. He said the members of various religious congregations will be encouraged to join the effort to live their faith by expressing their values in the public arena.