Presence

Did you know?
12 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States today.

Did you know?
If Comprehensive Immigration Reform is passed this year, the U.S. would add $1.5 trillion to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next ten years.

Did you know?
If Comprehensive Immigration Reform is passed this year, the U.S. tax revenue would increase by $4.5-5.5 billion over the next three years.

Did you know?
Every day in New York undocumented immigrants are detained and held in jails and prisons designed to hold criminals-even though their offense is a civil matter, not criminal.

Did you know?
Congress thinks you don't care.

Don't sit this one out. Be present.

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is expected to introduce a Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill for deliberation this month. This gives New Yorkers a unique opportunity to help shape the Immigration Reform debate.

Now is the time for New Yorkers and people of faith across the nation to let congress know we care and we are watching them. We can make a difference if we act right now!

NY Faith & Justice has adapted tools from local and national partners that will:

1. get you up to speed on the ins and outs of Comprehensive Immigration Reform and
2. help you mobilize your friends and colleagues to make an impact right where you are.

Click here to get started right now!

For more information contact:
Samantha McLane (NYFJ Immigration Reform Organizer) @smclane@nyfaithjustice.org or call her 646.705.9117

Scroll down or click these links for more practical ways you can be present this month!

• House Gatherings
• March for America!
  
• Faith Leaders are Growing More Food
  

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. And don't forget to follow us on twitter, facebook, the nyfj blog or the nyfj calendar for up to the minute action alerts, program changes, and details.

February Newsletter

It's Just Love. February 2010

Dear NY Faith & Justice Friends and Family, We sat in my office; pens making mad-dashes across paper pads, scribble blanketing the white board. All the major events, programs, and initiatives of the 2009-2010 program year were laid out before us. "What is the story our program year tells?" I asked. "What's the through-line?" "F.R.E.S.H. Supermarket Campaign / NYC Food and Climate Justice Summit / Conversations for Change between the Police and the Community in the South Bronx / Immigration Reform Campaign / Jim Wallis Book Launch "Rediscovering Values" / Faith Community "Grow More Food" Initiative / House Gatherings / Remembering Haiti Teach-In, Pray-In, Act-Out / etc." The NYFJ leaders' eyes scanned the board. They searched for the common thread that wove everything together: "It's all pretty basic." "Basic needs." "Making things right." "Collaboration and partnership." "Justice." "Love." "Just Love!" We stopped - jaws dropped. That's it. Every event, every program, every initiative is one more step on a journey toward a more just city -- and, at its heart, justice is really all about love...the love of God, love for God, and the love for neighbor. I scribbled above it all: "Just Love" We went deeper... Why work to increase access to healthy food for people living in "food deserts"? Why care about increasing safety, security, and (by extension) job access in blighted communities? Why press for the protection of the basic human dignity of immigrants made in the image of God and the integrity of their families? Why even consider switching banks to invest in the value for just lending practices, just executive pay, or just distribution of economic risk? Answer: Because we just love... Who are our biblical models -- ones who demonstrate a just kind of love? We ticked off a quick short list... Moses | Micah | Jeremiah | Joseph | Esther | Ruth | Isaiah | Amos | Samuel | Mary | Zacchaeus | Luke | The Good Samaritan | Paul | Peter | James | Jesus What compelled each of these fore-bearers of the faith to look injustice in the face and say, "No."? Answer: It was just love. Join us on the journey...a journey toward justice...fueled by love. Scroll down or click these links for practical ways you can practice just love this month! South Bronx Conversations for Change House Gatherings Faith Leaders for Environmental Justice Breakfast Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Humane Immigration Reform Remembering Haiti: Teach-In | Pray-In | Act-Out Thank you for your continued prayers and support. And don't forget to follow us on twitter, facebook, the nyfj blog or the nyfj calendar for up to the minute action alerts, program changes, and details. In Solidarity! Lisa Sharon Harper Co-founder and Executive Director New York Faith & Justice

The dotORGathon

Join hundreds of New Yorkers and walk for the non-profit of your choice.

Non-profits are the second greatest job provider of any industry in New York City — only second to government employment.  The economic downturn has hit the non- profit industry extremely hard and New York Faith & Justice is no exception.

This fall NY Faith & Justice asks you to…

Walk in solidarity with non-profits across the city.  Walk in solidarity with the millions of lives improved by the self-less service of ordinary people practicing extraordinary compassion every day.  Walk in solidarity with NY Faith & Justice.  Help us continue build strong bridges of common understanding and common action to end poverty in our city.

Every dollar you raise will go directly to NY Faith & Justice - not to overhead!  And there is a possibility we could win a matching grant to multiply every walker’s contribution!

Details…

When?  Saturday, October 4, 2009

What?  A 10K walk-a-thon to benefit NY Faith & Justice and hundreds of other non-profits across New York City.

How?  Contact us at info@nyfaithjustice.org or (212)870-1254 to receive more info on how you can walk for Faith & Justice in the city!