When people are poor, when people lack the basic necessities to develop fully as human beings, what has been the usual response of people of faith? For the hungry we give food, for the homeless we open shelters, for those who need clothing, we collect warm jackets. The social teachings of our various faith communities, however, have been very specific in the last hundred years, directing us to ask not only how much money or food people need, but also why people are poor and needy. This approach to social problems examines the causes of poverty and injustice as well as their effects. Working to reduce homelessness and poverty, then, requires both acts of compassion and acts of justice.

The Advocacy Program of CCJ advocates for systemic change of the conditions that lead to poverty, hunger and homelessness. Through engaging local and state officials and the human services sector, CCJ seeks to make its collective voice heard. Thus far, the Advocacy Program of CCJ has committed to working for systemic change of the conditions that lead to poverty and homelessness through engaging local and state officials and the human services sector.

To strengthen its advocacy efforts and broaden its base of support, CCJ works in partnership with Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC). NAIC is already actively working in the Tri-City area, as well as in the Sedona/Cottonwood area and the Flagstaff area, to build relational power for collective actions in pursuit of justice and the common good. Combining the efforts of NAIC and CCJ will help us to respond more effectively to the economic, social, and political circumstances now standing in the way of assuring the necessities for everyone: an adequate home, a living wage, access to health care, and access to education.

A group from ICCJ attended "Stand Up and Take Charge" training in Sedona on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004. Representatives from five Prescott area Churches (PUMC, Sacred Heart, PVUMC, GPUUC and PUUF) attended, meeting with representatives from eight other churches/community organizations in the Verde Valley/Sedona area for Northern Arizona Interfaith Council. The training was offered by the Arizona Interfaith Network in order to further explore strategies to develop broad-based community organization for the northern Arizona region.

Your US Government Elected Officials

Contact your elected representatives in Washington. Review their web site and see how they stand on issues critical to you, and on issues critical to the homeless. Where you find them supporting issues critical to you, send them an e-mail letting them know of your support. And where they seem to be supporting contrary causes, let them know that too! This is your opportunity to have an impact and be an advocate on these issues.

Here is a list of your elected officials on the national level, including your elected officials from Arizona. Be an advocate and let them know where you stand on national issues.

Your Arizona State Elected Officials

Contact your elected Arizona state representatives in Arizona (note that Prescott is in District One). Review their web pages and see how they stand on issues critical to you, and on issues critical to the homeless. Where you find them supporting issues critical to you, send them an e-mail letting them know of your support. And where they seem to be supporting contrary causes, let them know that too! This is your opportunity to have an impact and be an advocate on these issues at the state level.

Here is a list of your elected officials on the state level, including your elected officials from the Prescott Area. Be an advocate and let them know where you stand on state issues.