In a large scale effort to help California IAF leaders address the state's economy and challenges facing state and local officials, over 400 Bay Area IAF leaders convened in an October conference, joined by economists, thinkers, demographers, and other state power players. Leaders told stories illustrating how the downturn has hurt families and communities, reflected on their faith traditions and strategized around local opportunities. The conference helped energize regional strategies around immigration and identify training opportunities on housing and education.