*(Please continue to check the Social Justice Actions which are updated every Friday). Our petition corner is now located at http://www.wheatonfranciscan-jpic.org/currentactionalerts.html BLESSINGS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!
JPIC OFFICE BLOG – JANUARY 2011
At the close of 2010, we had a lot to be grateful for. Much more was accomplished in the “lame duck” session of Congress than many pundits and justice and peace advocates thought possible. Now, in 2011, we face a divided Congress and newly elected conservatives who promise to block movement on comprehensive immigration reform and roll back some of the important the legislation we worked so hard to achieve, including health care and environmental protection. The JPIC Office will continue to diligently follow these key issues and more, and will work to keep you informed and involved.
Here are a few noteworthy pieces to start off 2011…
TEN WAYS TO STAY HOPEFUL IN 2011
At the start of a New Year, we often reflect on the events of the past year, and look forward with hope. Green America suggests the following TEN WAYS TO STAY HOPEFUL in 2011.
Americans can and do come together for clean energy and jobs, healthy food, a fair deal for all, and financing systems that rebuild our Main Streets. As we work together on strengthening local businesses and local communities, we're also building alliances across political divides, re-knitting the fabric of our country. We have powerful tools at our fingertips for accelerating the shift to a just and sustainable economy. 1. By working to close the filthiest coal-fired power plants, we can work to meet our climate goals -- without one new piece of legislation. 2. By creating Clean Energy Victory Bonds, we can finance the next big wave of solar and wind -- without one penny of taxpayer dollars. 3. By focusing on energy efficiency, we can help every American family save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year -- better than a tax break, since it will happen year after year with no Congressional vote required. 4. By accelerating the transition to clean energy, we ensure the next big wave of good jobs. 5. By going local and organic with our food, and rebuilding local food systems, we can make sure there is healthy, affordable food for all. 6. By choosing Fair Trade, we can help families around the world lift themselves out of poverty. 7. By switching to community banks and credit unions, we can take support away from the mega-banks who were at the center of the global economic crisis – and invest in our local communities. 8. By supporting green businesses, we can rebuild our Main Streets and create new jobs. Recent studies confirm what you and I have known for years: According to the Kaufman Foundation, over the past 25 years, virtually all net new jobs in the US have been created by small, local and independent businesses that are less than five years old. The Pew Charitable Trust reported that green jobs in the U.S. grew more than twice as fast as the overall job market in the past ten years, and suffered fewer setbacks. 9. By choosing green products and services, people can improve their health, live better and save money when they go green. 10. By using our consumer and investing power, we can make real, lasting change. Steps forward include Home Depot shifting to sustainably-harvested wood and Ben & Jerry’s committing to be 100% Fair Trade with their flavors by 2012. Let's keep up the pressure on Hershey's to go Fair Trade!
TIME TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO January marks two important anniversaries in the fight against torture.
January 11, 2011 – 9th anniversary of the arrival of the first prisoners at Guantanamo January 22, 2011 – 2nd anniversary of the executive order calling for Guantanamo’s closure
The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) and other organizations are working to urge the President to continue working to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Click on the link below to send a letter to President Obama. Guantanamo Bay: It’s Time to Close a Symbol of Torture
January 11th - National Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Day
January 11th is designated as National Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Day. This year’s focus is on the dangers facing young people in the United States. “Trafficking can involve school-age children, especially those not living with their parents. Sex traffickers target children because of their vulnerability and gullibility, as well as the market demand for young victims. Those who recruit minors into prostitution violate federal anti-trafficking laws, even if there is no coercion or movement across state lines. The children at risk are not just high school students. Pimps prey on victims as young as 12. Traffickers target their minor victims through telephone chat-lines, clubs, on the street, through friends, and at malls, as well as by using girls to recruit other girls at schools and in after-school programs.”
The internet is an additional threat to the safety of our children. “Most young people use social networking sites to socialize with friends they already know. Therefore, most teens would ignore sexual solicitations from ‘online friends’. Some youth use these lists to look more popular and may accept any ‘friend request’ that is offered, including a ‘friend request’ from a potential predator. Online predators seek youth willing to make these connections with people they don’t know and willing to meet offline for sex. Privacy settings on social sites are not foolproof if youth don’t use their discretion about whom they’re accepting as a ‘friend’. 99% of offenders, arrested for Internet sex crimes against minors, were men. Kids and teens should never give out personal information online.”
(Source: Stop Trafficking: Anti-Human Trafficking Newsletter)
For an in-depth look at human trafficking, please join the JPIC Office for our next Dinner and Dialogue, Tuesday, February 15, 2011 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. DREAMS DIE HARD: A Look at Modern Day Slavery, a film by Peggy Callahan Filmmaker Peggy Callahan profiles several people trapped in slavery across the United States. Maria was enslaved as a domestic servant and victim of sexual exploitation in southern California. Miguel was enslaved in Florida, where his captor used violence to force him and many others to harvest tomatoes. Christy and Rose were enslaved in Maryland, where they worked as domestic servants after being taken from their native Cameroon. Ultimately, the stories presented highlight these survivors’ passion for freedom and justice, not just for themselves, but also for victims of slavery worldwide.
For more information, please contact the JPIC Office… To register, please call Tau Center at 630-909-6805 or email taucenter@wheatonfranciscan.org. Cost $20 includes dinner and discussion materials
In addition to these key issues, the JPIC Office is very excited about the formation of the Congregational JPIC Team, under the guidance of Sr. Sheila Kinsey in Rome. Each province/region/sector has appointed a representative and informs Sr. Sheila about issues and events in their respective locations. The representatives will be participating in a series of phone conferences in the next few months in preparation for their gathering in May, to be hosted by Sr. Sheila and the General Council in Rome.
For more information on the team, its advocacy efforts, and Bulletins, visit the Congregation’s website and click on: World Concerns (JPIC).
Finally, thank you for all you’ve done to support the efforts of the JPIC Office throughout the year. Like you, I look forward to 2011 with anticipation and hope for a brighter and better future.
Blessings and all good, Sr. Glenna Czachor
As a reminder….the JPIC Blog welcomes your comments, suggestions and guest contributions. Please submit these to: justicepeace@wheatonfranciscan.org
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