Psm skills development session v, 7 2014

PSM Skills Development

Session VThe Two Feet of Justice: Resources and

Advocacy

Prayer Review and questions from last session The Two Feet of Justice: Exploring the relationship

between direct service and social justice Direct Services: Resources, Referrals and Client

Advocacy◦ Collecting, utilizing and organizing resources◦ Some useful resources, an alphabet soup◦ Case studies & brainstorming resources

Social Justice: Legislative advocacy and community organizing◦ Involve the Pastor and parish community, establish a process◦ Catholic and community resources◦ Case studies & brainstorming resources

Outline

JUSTICE AND CHARITY, A PARABLE

The Two Feet of Justice Service and action,

charity and justice are complementary components of parish social ministry. A parish serious about social ministry will offer opportunities to serve those in need and to advocate for justice and peace.

- USCCB “Communities of Salt and

Light”

For a free facilitator’s guide visit: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/two-feet-of-love-in-action.cfm

Our commitment does not consist exclusively in activities or programs of promotion and assistance; what the Holy Spirit mobilizes is not an unruly activism, but above all an attentiveness which considers the other ‘in a certain sense as one with ourselves.’ This loving attentiveness is the beginning of a true concern for their person which inspires me eff ectively to seek their good. This entails appreciating the poor in their goodness, in their experience of life, in their culture, and in their ways of living the faith. EG #199

“THE SPECIAL PLACE OF THE POOR IN GOD’S PEOPLE”– POPE FRANCIS

RESOURCES FOR CHARITY

Parishes are called to reach out to the hurting, the poor, and the vulnerable in our midst in concrete acts of charity. …This is an area of creativity and initiative with a wide array of programs, partnerships with Catholic Charities, and common effort with other churches. Thousands of food pantries; hundreds of shelters; and uncounted outreach programs for poor families, refugees, the elderly, and others in need are an integral part of parish life. The parish is the most significant place where new immigrants and refugees are welcomed into our Church and community.

Preparation for Using Resources

Listen to the Story Ask for documentation Get permission from client to advocate Use chain of command in an agency; identify

the department of an agency that would be the appropriate contact

Get names and numbers of all people with whom you speak

Be polite, but persistent

Collecting Resources

Catholic Charities Directory Internet Seminars Newspapers Deanery Meetings/Local Coordinators Other local agencies Health fairs; MD office, etc.

Organizing Resources

Consistent Easily accessible Binder Rolodex File Cabinet Resource Manual Policy and Procedure Manual Coordinator and volunteers should be on the same

page with regard to method of resource management

Organizing

Remember what Mom said;

“A place for everything,

and everything in

its’ place.”

Maintaining Resources

How are resources organized in your office How has this system evolved How is the information maintained and

updated Is there a method to the maintenance How is new information gathered By whom How are resources shared

Some Useful Resources

DSS Nassau / Suffolk Law Services Local Legislators 211LI.org Other favorites USCCB.org PSEG and other utility companies Other non-profits

Community Resources “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know!” The importance of networking Community people

*Lions Club

*Boy/Girl Scouts

*Rotary Club

*Local Grocers

*Local MD’s, Dentists, Car Repair

*Local service people, drug store Parish Knights of Columbus Legislators: federal, state, county, town Other local non-profits Area DSS You add your ideas!

Brainstorming Resources

Where to start once the intake and interview has taken place

Case Studies Break into groups and review a case Share with larger group where to start What are some resources that might be

helpful

RESOURCES FOR JUSTICE

The voices of parishioners need to be heard on behalf of vulnerable children-born and unborn-on behalf of those who suffer discrimination and injustice, on behalf of those without health care or housing, on behalf of our land and water, our communities and neighborhoods. Parishioners need to bring our values and vision into the debates about a changing world and shifting national priorities.

Catholic Social Principles Life and Dignity of the

Human Person Call to Family,

Community, and Participation

Rights and Responsibilities

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

Solidarity Care for God’s Creation

Engaging the Parish Community Rule #1: Know what you are getting into. If you are being invited to

be part of a campaign or to distribute resources make sure you know who the members are and what the material is. Also make sure that the issue is clear and that no other underlying issue is being presented.

Rule #2: INVOLVE THE PASTOR: Justice involves legislative advocacy and community organizing, these are public forums for the parish where policies are promoted and stances are taken, the Pastor must be involved, fully aware and supportive of any initiative

Rule #3: “Realities are greater than ideas,” (Pope Francis) always link the experience of outreach with the social issue that the parish is willing to address.

Rule #4: develop a parish process for engaging on an issue: Have a PSM Social Justice committee to both

▪ educate the parish on social issues and to…▪ initiate and sustain any parish social campaign, ▪ involve a member of the pastoral council to be part of this committee

Always invite the Pastor to address the concern with the parish.

Catholic Resources:For Legislative Advocacy

Diocesan Public Policy Advisory Committee: The Diocese PPAC organizes the Catholics at the Capitol training

and event. DPPAC hopes to have a website with diocesan public policy info.

Catholic Legislative Action Alerts: USCCB action center:

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/take-action-now/capwiz/ NYSCC Catholic Action Network:

https://ssl.capwiz.com/nyscatholicconference/mlm/verify/ Catholic Charities USA:

http://catholiccharitiesusa.org/get-involved/washington-weekly/

Your Catholic Charities PSM Developer Special Projects: John Gonzalez

Catholic Advocacy Events and Campaigns

Events: Annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering:

▪ Sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and held the second weekend in February in Washington DC

Annual Catholics at the Capitol: ▪ Sponsored by the New York State Catholic Conference and held in Albany the

second Wednesday in March Campaigns:

Respect Life Program: http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/respect-life-program/index.cfm

Poverty USA Campaign: http://www.povertyusa.org/ Justice for Immigrants: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/ Catholic Climate Covenant: http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/ Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/ Catholics Confront Global Poverty: http://www.confrontglobalpoverty.org/ Catholic Rural Life: http://www.ncrlc.com/

Community Resources:For Community Development

Neighborhood Interfaith/Ecumenical Clergy Association

Neighborhood Community Groups or Coalitions

Regional Community Organizing: Micah/Island Harvest Long Island Congregations, Associations

and Neighborhoods (LICAN) Sustainable Long Island Long Island Index

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)

“The belief that those who are directly affected by unjust systems and structures have the best insight into knowing how to change them is central to CCHD. CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities. CCHD offers a hand up, not a hand out.”

PLEASE NOTE: If your parish is engaged or planning on engaging in a social or economic development project in the local community please reach out to John Gonzalez at Catholic Charities to discuss the possibility of obtaining a CCHD grant.

Case studies & brainstorming resources

Case Studies Break into groups

and review a case Share with larger

group where to start

What are some other resources that might be helpful

“There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the devotion come in ~ that we do it to God, to Christ and that’s why we try to do it as beautifully as possible.”

MOTHER TERESA