What Do They Believe Anyway?

A Project for Enhancing Religious Cultural Competency for Helping Professionals

About Our Inaugural Event!

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc. (CMI) and Niagara University's Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission presented the inaugural event for the "What Do They Believe Anyway?" on April 3, 2025.

The panel discussion will explored why it is important for helping professionals and others to ask the question: "What Do They Believe Anyway?"

Our panel of diverse faith leaders discussed the importance of religious cultural competency and how understanding different faith traditions can enhance professional practice and community engagement. 

Our Panelists and Moderator

• Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein from Congregation Shir Shalom, Williamsville
• Dr. Nasir Khan of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Buffalo Chapter
• Beatrice Singh-Arnone as representative of the Sikh community in Niagara Falls
• Rev. Raymond Allen of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, Niagara Falls

Our Moderator will be Rev. Dr. Jonathan D. Lawrence, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Canisius College. 

About the Project

The "What Do They Believe Anyway?" initiative addresses a critical gap in religious cultural competency for professionals in helping fields. While many existing interfaith resources focus primarily on end-of-life care and crisis situations, our project explores how religious and spiritual frameworks shape everyday life and routine interactions. Gaining a basic knowledge of beliefs, practices, and community perspectives and norms is the best entry point for this important area of cultural competency.

Why Religious Cultural Competency Matters

Religious traditions influence not just explicit beliefs but also broader worldviews that impact daily life in countless ways. For helping professionals, understanding these dynamics can be essential to providing effective, respectful, and culturally sensitive support.

Many professionals interact daily with individuals from diverse faith backgrounds yet may lack accurate knowledge about these traditions and how they shape:

• Daily decision-making processes
• Approaches to personal challenges
• Family dynamics and relationships
• Views on health, wellness, and healing
• Perspectives on community engagement

Our goal is to create accessible, engaging resources that bridge this knowledge gap and foster greater understanding across faith traditions.

Who Should Attend?

This initiative is designed for:

• Social work students and professionals
• Healthcare providers
• Educators and school administrators
• Community organizers
• Faith leaders
• Public service professionals
• Anyone seeking greater understanding of diverse religious traditions

Whether you're looking to enhance your professional practice or simply expand your understanding of different faith traditions in our community, these events and resources are for you.

Project Components

Public Events

In-person and online discussions featuring religious leaders who will explain basic information about their traditions, with a special focus on how these traditions shape everyday life and interactions.

Training Resources

• Video Modules: Recordings of public events and interviews with faith leaders
• Written Guides: Concise, reliable "cliff notes" on each religious tradition
• Practical Applications: Focus on how religious cultural competency supports helping professionals in their daily work

All resources will be freely available online for professional development and community education.

Future Events

Throughout 2025 and early 2026, we'll host a series of events exploring specific faith traditions active in our community:

Most future events will be held online via Zoom. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when registration opens for each event.

Contact Information

Project Partners

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, Inc. has been providing services and support to those in need since 1925, including crisis housing, mental health services, recovery programs, and youth services.

The Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission at Niagara University promotes diversity awareness and encourages leadership development and social justice advocacy for underrepresented groups.

Together, we're working to foster greater understanding, respect, and collaboration across faith traditions in our community.