Let’s change our community for the better

What would it mean to live in a community free from poverty?

Lately, the simple mention of that Coalition for Compassion and Justice ideal brings out a variety of responses. Most common is some form of disbelief: “You can’t mean that? We’ll always have poor people among us.”

I don’t believe that. I choose not to accept that.

It is the vision of CCJ to provide hope and relief for people in poverty. We meet people where they are today, take care of their most basic needs, including food, clothing, health care, hygiene and shelter, then offer them education and mentoring to lift themselves from that place. That’s the short version of three significant CCJ programs: Open Door, Home Repair and Circles of Support.

How do we do that? A small staff, lots of volunteers, and a community that stands behind us. It’s simply about compassion and justice.

Most of us know anyone is 15 minutes away from that place. No matter how secure your job, how abundant your resources, how well you take care of yourself, a job loss, an accident or a financial disaster could take those things away. Many of our clients just need the one good break to lift them from that situation: a new job, help with rent or utilities, a decent affordable place to live.

Will you join me in working for a fair and just community for all?

Gail Kenny

“It is not an ennobling experience. Poverty entails fear and stress and sometimes depression. It means a thousand petty humiliations and hardships.” J.K. Rowling, in a commencement address to Harvard University, 2008.

You can make a difference
in someone's life today.

Coalition for Compassion and Justice
PO Box 1882
Prescott AZ 86302