Polis is the Greek word for city. Plato used the word to describe the character of a place saying that "the polis is the soul writ large." Interest in discovering the character of Central Florida led to a research project at Reformed Theological Seminary on how human needs were being addressed. The results of the study led to recommendations and the formation of Polis Institute as a means to implement them.
Polis Institute, Inc. is a a 501c3 charitable organization founded in 2009 to improve well-being in the city. We believe that well-being will improve only when then talents of the poor are properly engaged. To that end, we work on two fronts: directly with the most distressed populations of the city and alongside the leadership of non-profit organizations dedicated to addressing poverty. The goal on both fronts is the same: to engage the talents of the poor in initiatives that strengthen the community in measurable ways. We are currently active in the Orlando metropolitan area and in South Atlanta.
If you wish to contact us by e-mail, please contact us at: info@polisinstitute.org.
Our Orlando office is located at 1610 S. Orange Blossom Trail No. 1, Orlando FL, 32805.
We accept tax-deductible financial contributions at our mailing address:
Polis Institute - P.O. Box 560531, Orlando FL, 32856-0531.
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Board of Directors: Eddy Moratin - Lifework Leadership; Scott Adams - Labar Adams Law Firm; Angela Winn - CNL Financial Group; Aretha Olivarez - Multiplying Talents; Phil Hissom - Polis Institute
Staff:
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| Founder/President - Phil Hissom
Phil is a fourth generation urban missionary. He seeks to dignify the culture of service. He and his wife Jennie relocated to Orlando in 2005 where they both attended Reformed Theological Seminary. He received the Master of Divinity degree in 2008 and founded the Polis Institute in 2009 to improve the overall health, or shalom, of Greater Orlando and other global cities.
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| Executive Director - Rebecca Lujan Loveless
Rebecca helps church and non-profit/ngo leaders who are seeking insight and direction in the area of transformational community development. She has extensive church and non-profit experience and has traveled to more than 50 countries around the globe working with local leadership to create sustainable and long-term developmental growth structures. She has been sought out to consult and speak for internationally recognized organizations like International Justice Mission, Youth Specialties and World Vision. She is madly in love with her husband Josh and loves to laugh with their three children Gavin, India and Kingston.
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| Atlanta Liaison/Trainer – Dan Crain
Dan Crain is married to Adrienne and they have two children. Dan served as a youth pastor in Orlando from 2001-2004. After obtaining a Masters of Intercultural Ministries in 2009 from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, they returned to Orlando where Dan was introduced to Polis Institute and became an intern. He and his family now reside in the under resourced neighborhood of South Atlanta. He is a Polis Liaison/Trainer to the city of Atlanta and also works alongside Community Life, a church supported by FCS Urban Ministries. Dan’s passion is to mobilize the church to work with people in distress in a dignifying way. He longs to see God’s reconciliation among people, places, churches and creation. He also loves to share about how Jesus is found among people in distress.
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| Research Fellow – Alex Cook
Alex was born and has spent most of his life in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Computer Science. Afterwards he taught English in Japan for 2 years, spent some time doing graduate work and teaching at UCF, and most recently spent almost 3 years developing video games for Electronic Arts in Orlando, FL. Alex has now transitioned into vocational ministry. He is currently a partner at Summit Church where he's spent the last four years growing and serving. He will be spending the next season of life working with them and coordinating research for the Polis Institute.
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| Research Fellow – Elizabeth Hartsell
Born near Chicago and raised as a child in both the Philippines and Florida, Elizabeth grew up straddling two very different cultures. At the University of Florida, she became immersed in Minority Activism and Leadership Development. She then worked with AmeriCorps all over the U.S. in a multitude of roles. This background created a deep respect for the power of service to heal communities and guide individuals to the realization of the Lord's love. Elizabeth wants to be a part of that cycle by helping non-profits operate more efficiently and effectively. Currently in Orlando, she is active in Local Service Ministries at Summit Church and is continuing her education in Psychology and Non-Profit Management at the University of Central Florida.
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| No one is self-sufficient.
So why do so many of the programs to help others in Central Florida focus on self-sufficiency?
Working towards self-sufficiency combats the harmful affects of dependency but the problem is no one is self-sufficient. Working towards self-sufficiency perpetuates a myth that negatively impacts the culture, promoting the perception that we do not need one another and that we do not need God.
Polis Institute promotes the principle of 'dignified interdependence' - an approach to helping others that leads to genuine relationships and transformed communities.
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