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 |
|
Phone: (301) 622-6838 Fax:
(301) 384-1025 Website: www.gsadvocacy.org |
|
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, and this year also to Sisters of Our Lady of Charity (North American Union) throughout the country and are affirmed by the National Advocacy Center Advisory Board.
Some of the top priorities of 2008 for Good Shepherd People include:
Good Shepherd Agencies emphasized their concern for:
NAC will take a leading role through proactive and intensive advocacy, lobbying and research on the above issues
Priorities that require monitoring, some joint lobbying with coalition partners, and reactive strategies, such as letters and alerts include: