National Advocacy Center
"Our commitment to reconciliation demands that we promote justice and peace."
Constitutions of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
| Address: | 504 Hexton Hill Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 |
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Phone: (301) 622-6838 Fax:
(301) 384-1025 Website: www.gsadvocacy.org |
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Focus of Program: The National Advocacy Center offers education through processes and strategies that address social justice issues and advocates for changes in society - particularly those that relate directly to women, children and the dignity of the human person.
The Center reflects the spirituality and mission of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd working in solidarity with the disenfranchised - particularly families, women, and children.
The National Advocacy Center:
♥ Amplifies the Good Shepherd corporate voice by linking our direct services to work for change in the structures of society.
♥ Builds awareness and stimulates social action related to legislative priorities and relevant social justice issues.
♥ Prepares educational materials for Good Shepherd groups in the United States, including weekly listserv updates, monthly legislative faxes and quarterly newsletters.
♥ Lobbies and fosters relationships with members of congress and their staffs from districts where Good Shepherd Sisters and agencies are present.
♥ Prepares and disseminates appropriate public statements and participates in relevant public events.
♥ Collaborates with the Good Shepherd NGO representative at the United Nations in New York and the Good Shepherd Peace and Justice Secretariat in Rome to support international advocacy efforts.
♥ Joins with other human needs advocacy organizations in coalitions to strengthen the voice for social justice.
Priorities 2005
The National Advocacy Center, guided by Gospel values, Catholic Social Teaching, and Good Shepherd spirituality, believes all people have a right to secure the basic necessities of life, expresses particular concern for the most vulnerable members of society, and affirms the responsibility of government to provide for the common good, promote equal opportunity for all, and ensure that the basic needs of all members of society are met.
Our priorities reflect the continuing mission of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd to promote reconciliation and peace. Each year’s priorities draw directly from responses to a survey sent to Good Shepherd communities and agencies throughout the country and are affirmed by the National Advocacy Center Advisory Board. The priorities are divided into three levels delineating the most appropriate strategy for the National Advocacy Center’s involvement.
- Level One issues are the highest priority and require NAC to take a leading role through proactive and intensive advocacy, lobbying and research.
- Level Two issues are priorities that require monitoring, some joint lobbying with coalition partners, and reactive strategies, such as letters and alerts.
- Level Three issues are ones that NAC will monitor and address through work with coalitions and occasional alerts.
Increase Access to Healthcare
Covering the Uninsured: Maintain/Improve Medicaid/SCHIP and support legislation to increase access to quality, affordable health insurance coverage.
Improving Mental Healthcare: support legislation to provide mental health/substance abuse treatment parity and promote greater funding for and access to mental health services.
Enhance Social InvestmentPromoting Budget Fairness: Support balanced tax/spending policies and advocate for adequate resources for critical social services.
Preserving and Improving the Social Safety Net: Continue work on the reauthorizations of TANF, WIA, and Head Start. Advocate for improvements in child welfare services and increased access to affordable housing.
LEVEL TWO
Promote Human and Economic Security
Domestic Violence: Increase funding for domestic violence programs and strengthen supports and protections. Increase domestic violence outreach and education within government programs.
Human Trafficking: Support improvements to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act during its reauthorization and monitor enforcement of the legislation. Continue advocacy for increased education about the issue among government agencies and programs.
Living Wage: Support legislation to increase the minimum wage as a step toward a living wage.
LEVEL THREE
Foster Reconciliation Nationally and Globally
Immigration: Support legislation to lift restrictions on lawfully present immigrants’ receipt of federal benefits and support immigration reforms to help undocumented workers and students adjust to legal status.
Peace Initiatives: Oppose excessive military spending and militarism. Support legislation to establish a federal Department of Peace and advocate peaceful conflict resolution.
Global Economic Justice: Monitor funding and legislation for foreign aid and global health, and support fair trade initiatives and responsible international development.