ALCAP
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Alabama's Moral Compass

Our History

 
At the recent annual gathering of State Ethics Leaders (SEL) in Nashville, hosted by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC), the President of the ERLC, Dr. Richard Land, presented Dr. Dan Ireland, Director Emeritus of ALCAP, with an award for his faithful service and uwavering leadership as an advocate for morality and ethics in America.  Pictured here are Polly Ireland, Dan Ireland and Richard Land.
 
 

ALCAP's Beginnings

In June 1937 a group of concerned leaders from among Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians came together to discuss and organize an interfaith temperance program.  The group met at the First United Methodist Church in Birmingham and organized the Alabama Temperance Alliance (ATA) with Rev. Earl Hotalen, a Methodist minister, as the first Executive Director.  Hotalen served from 1937 to 1946 followed by James Swedenburg (1946-1967); Elmer Nielson (1967-1970); John L. Smith (1970-1978); D. L. Dan Ireland (1978-2008); and since June 1, 2008, the Executive Director has been Joe Godfrey.

Along the way the Alabama Temperance Alliance had a name change to the Alabama Council on Alcohol Problems.  Later the name was changed to its present designation, the Alabama Citizens Action Program.  This name is more descriptive of the ever-enlarging moral and social concerns that claim the churches' attention.

ALCAP is the catalyst around which all church denominations can unite in a consolidated effort to address moral concerns (i.e., alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues; gambling; pornography and other promiscuous behavior; and addressing the sanctity of human life).

A Board of Directors representing eight denominations governs ALCAP.  The organization operates through the generous financial support from denominations, churches, concerned individuals, company gifts and community oriented organizations. 

ALCAP's Purpose

ALCAP serves as a resource for churches, schools, other groups and interested individuals working to make Alabama a safer state for each and every citizen.  An ethical, moral and responsible lifestyle based on biblical standards is an attainable goal to benefit the entire state.

Affiliations

In addition to working alongside the churches of Alabama there are other groups ALCAP works with and through:  American Council on Alcohol Problems (ACAP), the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling (NCALG), the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Alabama, Pro-Life interests, anti-pornography interests, and special groups formed to stand for historic church positions such as the defeat of the lottery.

How You Can Help!

Pray for ALCAP's ministry and staff.  Make a tax deductible gift.  ALCAP is a 501C3 nonprofit organization approved by the Internal Revenue Service.  Encourage your church to support ALCAP financially.  Encourage local schools to schedule an ALCAP drug education program, at no cost to the school.

"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…" 1 Thessalonians 1:3 

ALCAP's Programs 

ALCAP seeks to accomplish its goal through three effective programs:

1. ALCAP supports American Character Builders in the prevention of drug abuse and addiction through education.  Hundreds of schools and thousands of students benefit from this abstinence-based program each year.  A faculty of trained volunteers provides this service in both public and private schools.  The materials are adaptable to all ages – kindergarten through college level.  This educational program includes dangers of drug use, suicide prevention, anger management, conflict resolution, violence prevention, prom-prep and danger resulting from driving and drugs. To learn more about American Character Builders programs visit the website at www.AmericanCharacterBuilders.org.

2. Assisting local communities with issues such as wet/dry elections, gambling elections, and researching materials on moral issues upon request.  We also provide research materials to students and make speakers available for churches, civic clubs, community gatherings, youth meetings and camps.

3. Legislatively ALCAP monitors legislation on moral issues, informs legislators of the social and moral implications of such legislation and sponsors a weekly Prayer Breakfast during the regular annual legislative session.  Each legislator and his or her spouse is assigned to a Prayer Partner who is committed to pray daily for them.