SOCIAL JUSTICE - ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ACTION

Through local, regional, and state advocacy initiatives, we seek to change the structural injustices that contribute to poverty. Our Catholic social teaching calls us to work toward a just society.

Ventures in Community (VIC)
Volunteers represent Good Shepherd at monthly meetings to promote activities of interest to the members of area churches and community human services agencies, and to encourage an "ecumenical spirit" in addressing local issues. VIC spearheads events such as the Crop Walk for Hunger and local services such as the winter Hypothermia Outreach Program (temporary night shelter). Participants attend meetings (which run two hours, including lunch, and occur the first Wednesday of the month September through May) and share information and follow-up action items with the Social Justice Director, Social Justice Committee, and parish as necessary.

Contact:  Jerri Pogue – (703) 780-8737, gbpogue@aol.com.

Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement in Northern Virginia (VOICE  in NoVA)
Good Shepherd is one of more than 40 faith communities advocating for social justice issues through VOICE in Northern Virginia. VOICE, under the umbrella of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), is a non-partisan, multi-racial, multi-faith, citizens’ power organization, rooted in local congregations and other voluntary associations to spearhead change on social justice issues (e.g., affordable housing, immigration, child care, etc.) affecting the lives of low- and middle-income residents in Prince William, Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria. Parishioners can be involved in various ways—as members of the core organizing team, as researchers of social issues for advocacy actions, and as members of action groups to advocate in large groups.

Contact:  Clem Bezold – (703) 924-0204, cbezold@altfutures.com.