Portsmouth, VA (BlackNews.com) - Urban America USA, a leading organization pulling together African American faith-based groups, the Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP), a group representing several thousand African American pastors, and other leading organizations, consultants, and faith-based groups are uniting to help rebuild lives and communities after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.

According to Dr. William Owens, President/Founder of CAAP, "African American churches and organizations have a long history of developments in the African American community. Those groups that have made a lasting impact in those communities and on behalf of well-being in America have often been those groups that move beyond their own religious and neighborhood walls and helped restore stability in unstable situations. Hurricane Katrina has prompted all Americans, especially African Americans, to give liberally, open their doors, and help those suffering from one of America's worst natural disasters. Billions of dollars will be allocated amidst the finger-pointing and the hand-wringing. Since the African American church has historically been the mainstay to families in their hour of need, we all calling upon all to assist us as we give needed support and leadership in the rebuilding efforts."

Dr. Owens also stated that Tracy Brown, President/CEO of Urban America USA, will be leading an important teleconference on Thursday, October 13th at 9:00 PM eastern. The conference will help give direction to those African American pastors desiring to utilize their strategic position in obtaining grants and other resources in rebuilding lives and communities in devastated areas.

Working with both organizations in this effort will be Dr. Edward G. Udell, Sr., President/CEO of Udell and Associates, a long-time community worker with a history of helping in many communities across several state lines. Dr. Udell is a certified grant writer, former community college literacy director, and has assisted many organizations in community outreach and development efforts. Strategically based in Houston, Texas and connected to a mega-church leading in assisting survivors of the hurricane, Dr. Udell will be a key spokesperson on the teleconference. Dr. Udell will be sharing information about how faith-based groups can position themselves to be eligible to be a conduit for funds and needed resources in the rebuilding efforts. He will be joined by other professional grant writers and faith-based leaders who have received some of the billions of dollars given each year by government, foundation, and corporate funding sources.

Mr. Brown is encouraging all those interested in this National Teleconference to register early by going to www.urbanamericausa.org

"Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to attend a grant writing seminar or spend hundreds buying books, participants to this conference will be able to share in valuable information given by those active in the field of grant writing and/or helping in community outreach and development," Mr. Brown said.

"If you are a potential funder, or a leader in a faith-based group," stated Dr. Udell, "you are invited to register early for this valuable conference and save hundreds of dollars. Thanks to Dr. Owens and the Coalition of African American Pastors, the conference fee has been reduced from $79.95 to only $49.95."

According to the planners of this conference, those unable to get in will be able to listen to the teleconference replay. You must sign up immediately, limited spaces available. Go to www.urbanamericausa.org