Seattle ADCC Legislative Agenda

Jim Bloss shares the Seattle Archdiocesan Council's 2007 approved legislative agenda.  It provides a quick overview of the Seattle ADCC position when it comes to their "big three" identified issues: affordable housing/homelessness, health care and living/family wage.  "Personal involvement is the name of the game with VOP," says Jim. 

Phoenix Networking Report

Lucy Howell sends the following news (3/30/07). 

Last Saturday at the SVdP General Membership meeting, the Community Education Specialist for low income healthcare in AZ held a workshop for interested Vincentians on how to help families complete healthcare applications for Medicaid (AHCCCS in AZ) and S-CHIP (KidsCare in AZ).  Our state government has a gag order for contracts with schools and non-profits for outreach to the estimated 120,000 uninsured but eligible AZ children for this coverage.  We think Vincentians can help in the course of home visits.

On Monday, Paul Martodam, CEO of Catholic Charities for No. and Central AZ and Tricia Hoyt, Director of the Office of Peace and Justice for Catholic Charities, came to our Voice of the Poor meeting. Paul summarized the CCUSA booklet "Poverty in America: A Threat to the Common Good" and gave the committee copies.  He knows Joe and is most appreciative of the support SVdP is throwing behind the campaign to cut poverty in half by 2020.  We talked in general about a conference on poverty that CC-AZ is hoping to hold in Phoenix within the next few months.

On Tuesday, I attended a meeting introducing the new western regional director for Bread for the World, Matt Newell-Ching:  the topic was the Farm Bill.  I gave Matt a copy of the CCUSA booklet on poverty.

Am hoping that another group here, Basic Needs Coalition, will have agenda time for CC-AZ to come and talk about the booklet and the campaign.  This is a group that would be an essential collaboration for a conference on poverty. 

All of this comes under the heading of "getting the ball rolling" at the local level!  I am sure you have seen recent coverage indicating that Americans are now realizing that our social service network is tattered and neglected resulting in a significant population being left behind.

Phoenix Council President Encourages Action!

Phoenix Vincentians are encouraged to speak on Housing/Homelessnes, child care, low income health care for children, and charitable tax credit.  Details are found in the March 10, 2007 Phoenix VOP Action Alert 

PayDay Legislation in Oregon

"We are currently working on a bill HB 2851 which will put a cap of 36% on all loans, except real estate loans that are insured," reports Don Lamb.  "This is the Fed bill for the military, for all other citizens.  We include the Military in our bill.  Testifying on Wednesday and we hope it will pass both Houses.  We are waiting for the Governor of  Oregon to sign our other four (4) bills."  (March 2007)

Two Phoenix VOP Reports

Inge Casey of VOP Phoenix shares News on the Arizona Legislature  (opening session January 8, 2007) and Phoenix November VOP Meeting Minutes.

Phoenix speaks for Hunger and Homelessness

The following letter was written by Mike Bell, Director of Shelter Services at Ozanam Manor, a shelter for disabled adults run by the Society in Phoenix.  The letter was signed by Steve Jenkins, who as council president in Phoenix is the council's official spokesperson.  The letter was sent to the opinions section of the Arizona Republic. (November 2006)

Phoenix SVDP Diocesan Board Endorses Minimum Wage Initiative on AZ Ballot

Phoenix VOP’s Lucy Howell shares the Phoenix VOP column for their October newsletter which is mailed to 3,000 Vincentians by the Council’s Vincentian Support Services.  The minimum wage initiative (proposition 202) is on the AZ ballot in November.  “Support was unanimously endorsed by the Diocesan Board,” reports Lucy.  Another issue supported is proposition 203, “First Things First” for Arizona’s children, which increases funding for early childhood development and health programs.    (Sept 2006)

San Mateo SVDP Program Praised for “Stemming Recidivism”

The following is from the San Mateo California Catherine’s Center, September 2006 monthly report from Sister Marguerite Buchanan and Mary Jane Govaerts.  “Right here in San Mateo County is a program that works to stem recidivism among incarcerated women, SVdP’s Catherine’s Center,” said District Attorney Jim Fox.  On September 7 he addressed the San Mateo Rotary Club and spent at least ten minutes talking about Catherine’s Center.  He was speaking to a gathering of over 100 people about the challenges and solutions of our present day criminal justice system. 

VOP in San Mateo

Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in San Mateo County provide emergency assistance.  No need is foreign to the Society and many of our members visit the incarcerated.  A full-time jail chaplain is employed and the Society operates Catherine Center, a place where recently released women can come to heal.  The residential program teaches independence, and prepares individuals to once again enter the community, care for their children, and overcome their addictions.  The supportive environment and one-on-one follow up provides a chance for these women to repair shattered lives. 

 

Drug treatment programs to care for the hundreds of prisoners who seek to overcome terrible dependencies would go a long way to provide hope in the criminal justice system.  Using funds for healing rather than the construction of containment centers only makes practical sense to circumvent recidivism of drug law violators back into an already over-crowded prison system.

 

Please make this a priority.  Many people make regrettable choices in life.  With appropriate support, lives can be turned around.  Please give them a chance.

Note:  Prisoners not serving sentences for violent felonies, serious felonies, or crimes requiring registration as a sex offender, under this bill, would be entered into residential aftercare drug treatment after successful completion of an in-prison drug treatment program.  If 150 days of residential aftercare is successfully completed the individual could be discharged from parole.  Incorporating mandatory drug treatment aftercare provides a win-win opportunity for the State's criminal justice system, the drug addicted prisoner, families of the addicted, and the community at large.  To validate that the program is working, the bill would require the Department of Corrections to report annually to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the State Auditor on the effectiveness of these provisions.  According to Bureau of Justice Statistics, "In 2002 about a quarter of convicted property and drug offenders had committed their crimes to get money for drugs, compared to 5% of violent and public order offenders." (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/dcf/duc.htm ) 

Phoenix Diocesan Council’s VOP Sends out Legislative Report Card

August 2006 -- The Phoenix VOP put together a legislative report card containing information on bills for which there was an actual vote in either the House or the Senate.  Included with the report card is the voting record for each Arizona senator and representative on issues which affect the poor.  The bills supported or opposed by the SVdP Phoenix Diocesan Board were selected from the more than 1500 bills, resolutions and memorials introduced during the 2006 legislative session. 

In a letter to Vincentians in central and northern Arizona, VOP Chair, Lucy Howell said, “Voice of the Poor committee is one of over 70 similar SVdP committees in the United States.  Vincentians serving on the Voice of the Poor committee are responding to the Society’s call to provide long-term assistance to the poor by looking at the larger political and economic picture. VOP is non-partisan and the Diocesan Board first approves all positions taken on issues.”  The VOP in Phoenix sent with the cover letter a Legislative Report Card to “inform Vincentians about Voice of the Poor activity at the State legislature as approved by the Diocesan Board.” 

Good work Phoenix Voice of the Poor.   Core Committee Members include:  Lucy Howell VOP chair; Inge Casey St. Theresa; Tom Finnerty St. Gregory; Father Bill Fitzgerald OLPH, Scottsdale; Walt Gray St. Augustine, Kathy Jorgensen St. Jerome; Ron Meyer St. Francis Xavier; Stephen J. Jenkins Diocesan Council President, ex-officio; Steve Zabilski Executive Director, ex-officio.

VOP in Sacramento, CA

August 2006 -- Artivio Guerrero, VOP chair, summarizes activities: 

Structure: In process in getting members from each Conference to form a committee, so far we have three committed, working on fifteen more.

Issues: Immigration, homelessness, juvenile crime and delinquency, healthcare and just wage for the working poor.

Collaboration: Diocese of Sacramento, Interfaith Worker Justice, Coalition on Human Needs, and local Network activities

 VOP in San Mateo, CA

August 2006 --San Mateo’s VOP Committee put together a written report for the upcoming National meeting in Indianapolis.  Highlights include:

·          The San Mateo District Council officially approved the addition of restorative justice as a focus of VOP in addition to housing, health care and child care. 

·          San Mateo’s VOP prepared a group discussion study guide on the topic of restorative justice titled, “Changing Attitudes on Criminal Rehabilitation,” which is scheduled for printing shortly by the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Office of Public Policy.  The workbook is targeted for use by small groups.  It complements the US Bishops Statement, “Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration,” December 2000 and “Restorative Justice,” a documentary film produced by the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Office of Public Policy, November 2004. 

·          Vincentians Barbara Keefer and Tom Quinn serve as SVdP's representatives on Peninsula Interfaith Action (PIA), which is comprised of 31 Interfaith Congregations involved in local advocacy.  They have been active in PIA’s Healthcare Access Alliance.  At least five SVdP Conferences were represented at a meeting called Health Care Action on May 16.  Four SVdP representatives were involved with planning and 63 SVdP members participated (13% of total participants), which drew 500 people including San Mateo Board of Supervisors President, Jerry Hill, who publicly committed to take action at the conclusion of the program.  He was asked to establish a County Health Care Access Blue Ribbon Committee.  This “Indigent Health Commission” was agreed to by the Board of Supervisors and $200,000.00 was approved to support the Committee. 

·          San Mateo County’s ten year plan continues to make progress.  Called HOPE, the 10 year program to end homelessness in San Mateo County was presented and approved by the Board of Supervisors on March 28. Lorraine Moriarty, Ann Cole and Deborah Payne served as SVDP representatives in the planning process. 

·          Lorraine Moriarty has also been working with the City of San Mateo’s Housing Outreach Team (HOT) program to solve the homeless problem on an individual basis and with the City of South San Francisco to address their concerns about homelessness.  In a South San Francisco city meeting, Vincentians from four northern Conferences in or adjacent to the city attended to show their support for the services provided to the needy by the Society’s South San Francisco location. 

·          VOP members investigated the injustice of trailer park space rental agreements.  The poor who rent these spaces do not realize that they are agreeing to pay escalating rents and fees that are designated by the landlord. 

Activities in San Diego

August 2006 -- News from Linda Palmer:

These actions are being done by a handful of people.  I have been struggling to get VOP into the conferences.... Despite this, I have join(ed) forces with many faith-based groups (PICO/San Diego Organizing Project) on the following:

Healthy in Their Homes or Apartments

Adequate housing for everyone and universal health care continue to be among top goals of caring persons this summer and continue toward the election in November.

Many of us hope three main concerns will be covered by:  Senate Bill 840, Proposition 86, and Proposition 1C.

OneCareNow

Devoted to educating Californians and building mass support for Senate Bill 840, called the California Health Insurance Reliability Act, is the statewide grass roots campaign of One Care Now.  The bill would provide affordable, comprehensive coverage by way of universal health insurance for all Californians. Among the proposed benefits:

Ø       All Californians would be covered for life.

Ø       There would be freedom of choice of doctors or integrated health systems such as Kaiser.

Ø       Coverage would include hospital, medical, surgical, dental and vision care along with prescription drugs, medical equipment, diagnostic testing, and hospice care.

You can sign the OneCareNow petition or receive added information about this bill which it claims will provide high quality, universal, and affordable health care insurance in California at:     http://www.onecarenow.org

Proposition 86 Made the Ballot

The San Diego Organizing Project, which is represented by 25 churches in the county, raised nearly 8,000 signatures which helped put Proposition 86 on the November ballot.  Volunteers around the state collected 190,000 signatures, roughly 18 per cent of the 1,125,675 which qualified the initiative for the election. The San Diego Organizing Project is connected with PICO California, which gathered a total of 85,681 signatures.  The American Cancer Society brought in 97,158.  Also in the volunteer part of the campaign were the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association.   According to the proponents of Proposition 86, it will drop youth smoking 43 percent in both high school and middle school population--meaning 700,000 youth would not become smokers. Backers of the proposition also claim over half a million adult smokers will quit the habit.  The main effort of the San Diego Organizing Project has been on the premise that if Proposition 86 passes, there will be adequate funding to secure health coverage for all children in California.   The tobacco industry is expected to be the main opponent of the proposition, with word out that it has $40 million ready to spend against it. There would be a $2.60 tax added to each package of cigarettes. The tobacco revenue tax is projected to bring in $2.1 billion per year.

Bonds for Housing

 A statewide bond initiative, Proposition 1C, would provide the Housing Trust Fund $2.85 billion with a variety of programs.  Examples:

·          Building apartments for seniors, families, and persons with disabilities--$395 million.

·          Building and renovation emergency shelters and transitional rental units for homeless families with children, battered women, and other individuals--$50 million.

·          Building apartments with support services for persons with chronic disabilities--both physical and mental---$195 million.

·          Building for-sale and rental homes for agricultural workers---$135,

·          Funding a range of home ownership projects under the Cal-HOME Program--$300 million.

·          Providing second loans for down payments and closing costs under the California Homebuyer Down payment Assistance Program---$200 million.

·          AND, programs for infrastructure vital to home development---$1.35 billion.

To put the needs in focus, it has been reported that:

·          More than 360,000 Californians are homeless every night.

·          Last year, 5,108 women and children were turned away from full domestic-violence shelters.

 We will embark on an intense voter registration campaign targeting 18-40 yr olds who are part of the huge "undecided" or "don't care" block whose voices we need to hear on all of the important issues involving poverty.

VOP in Phoenix

July 2006 -- SVDP Legislative Report Card in Works

The Phoenix VOP plans to mail a legislative report card that describes the bills supported or opposed by the SVdP Phoenix Diocesan Board during the Arizona legislature’s 47^th session.  This will be mailed in August to ALL Vincentians in central and northern AZ along with a copy of their brochure.   Bills supported or opposed by the SVdP Diocesan Board during the 2006 legislative session were culled from the more than 1500 bills, resolutions and memorials introduced.  The Arizona state budget, children and family (eg. utility assistance, foster care, TANF) payday loans, immigration, and ballot measures are included in the report card. 

Vincentian Shares Pay Day Loan News From Oregon

“ONE VOICE on ONE SUBJECT from all over the State got a Bill passed in the State Legislature.” 

PAY DAY loans and TITLE loans are two plagues on the marginalized and poor.  Those that we serve use these loans to meet current expenses and do not realize how much trouble they are in WHEN THEY SIGN THE LOAN PACKAGES!  Unregulated pay day loans in the State of Oregon could cost between 200 and 300% interest for a year and often never let the debtor pay off the principle. One such loan was given for $496, and 30 days later, $1,876.00 was owed. 

The Voice of the Poor of St Vincent de Paul Society brought this fact to the attention of the Vincentian community.  Because it took resources from those in need, we had to try and help.  We got the different stories from the poor and contacted our local state Representative, who was running again for office.  We said, HOW CAN YOU LET THIS HAPPEN?  The person said, I didn't, but will see if we can get a hearing on the subject.  She did and the members of the press were invited.  Vincentians, parishioners, homeless advocates and others showed up at the hearings.  The stories were told and the press let the public know!  Then, we were lucky, since the Governor said, "This is hurting our efforts with PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.”  This made other members of the Legislature take notice. Through our meetings at the Archdiocese level, we informed District Councils of the problem. 

Vincentians returned to their communities and talked to other Vincentians asking members of the VOP and members of all the District Councils and Conferences around the State to call and speak to their Representatives and Senators about this problem.   All that was said WAS TRUE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.  The politicians were asked to look into this problem.  The common thread was the Voice of the Poor realized that this problem hurt our efforts in our local communities.  It was happening all over our State and most of us knew or could meet a State Senator or Representative in our area. 

ONE VOICE on ONE SUBJECT from all over the State got a Bill passed in the State Legislature. All of our subjects are local in nature and few people can say that it is unjust to seek to change bad industries or laws.  We have the white hats!!! and we are practicing our FAITH and SERVING the POOR!   Peace be with you in the spirit of Blessed Frederic and St. Vincent.   Donald L. Lamb

 Western Region VOP Workshop 

June 2006 -- Report from Society of St. Vincent de Paul Western Region Meeting:  May 30-June 3, 2006

Walt Gray, Father Pedro and Lucy Howell offered a Voice of the Poor Workshop twice during the upcoming Western Regional meeting in San Rafael, CA June 1-3.  The agenda covered hot topics including immigration, predatory loans, and homelessness. The VOP CD and handouts were provided.  There was a tour various websites that are useful for VOP.  Father Pedro presented on what the Church and Society are saying about social justice and advocacy.  Lucy Howell provides the following report on the Western Region.

Advocacy was high on the agenda with National President Joe Flannigan presenting the national version of the Voice of the Poor CD at the General Session on June 1.  This CD is now available to members from the national office in St. Louis when a visual aid about Voice of the Poor is desired.  (It requires a laptop with a CD drive and a Power Point projector).  On June 2, Sister Kieran Knieves presented Module 4 of the “Serving in Hope” program as a teaching tool for conferences on Catholic social teaching and advocacy.  Module 4 is “stand alone” and reinforces the Society’s efforts on advocacy and Voice of the Poor.

Voice of the Poor offered workshops on Thursday and Friday with Father Pedro Villarroya, C.M., Walt Gray and Lucy Howell.  The workshops had a total attendance of 60. Workshop agenda is attached.  Handouts:  Deus Caritas Est (Pope Benedict  X-VI’s encyclical, a portion of which speaks to the responsibility of Catholics in politics), Chapter 7 of the Society’s Rule (The Society’s Role in Civil Society), websites useful for Voice of the Poor, news articles on immigration, payday loans, and  “A Budget for Poverty” illustrating life on minimum wage).

Comments and suggestions from workshop participants included:  More communication among VOP members would be useful to foster collaboration on topics such as prison ministry, restorative justice and payday loans.  A VOP “E Committee” has been suggested by Jim Bloss of the Seattle Council.  Scott Mather of Orange County asked about input to Society Position Statements.  Steve Krank of Oakland asked if VOP had developed a process for surveying those we serve about applicable legislative issues.

The Annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington was emphasized as a great way to get VOP off the ground in each state.  One suggestion was that SVdP, while in Washington, consider arranging to have a speaker on a topic of legislative importance to the Society speak in one of the committee rooms in the House or Senate buildings and invite elected representatives and staffers to attend. Art Guerrero of Sacramento expressed concern that VOP seems to focus too much on national issues and local councils need to focus on the needs in their communities.  Few have the time to do both although it is understood that what happens in Congress does have a great influence on programs available at the state and local level (i.e., Welfare Reform Act of 1996 which was recently re-enacted with more work hours required for mothers with children under 6; cuts in Medicaid block grants to states, increase in funding available for wraparound housing (“housing first”) designed to get the homeless off the street as a first step). Walt Gray of Phoenix noted that Phoenix VOP has assigned areas of interest to various committee members.

Several VOP representatives attended the workshop on Restorative Justice moderated by members of the San Mateo Council who have developed a prison ministry at San Quentin as a special work. 

·         25 Vincentians visited San Quentin and met with a group of “term to lifers” (prisoners convicted of murder who are serving indeterminate sentences; most had been imprisoned at least 20 years.  It has been the policy of the past four state governors to deny parole for this category.). 

·         The group presented sections of a White Paper they had written based on restorative justice.  Topics included the ripple effect of their crimes on their own families as well as those of the victim, and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. (Some of you may have seen the two-night Larry King Special on San Quentin in early June which included Kevin Hagan, one of the “term to lifers” met by Vincentians on June 1). 

·         Those attending learned that the recidivism rate in California (highest in the nation) is 70% (i.e., return to prison following release), the annual cost of prison per person is $32,000, prisons are horribly overcrowded and there are plans to build more.  California, as the nation’s largest state, is representative of the situation in most states. Many states (AZ being one) find that the state budget for the prison system now is equal to or exceeds the cost of public education. 

·         A huge problem is lack of preparation for parole with a resulting return to prison for “technical violations” of parole.  In California a parolee is released with $200 and directed to find a permanent address within two weeks in the community to which he has been paroled.  Available housing options are extremely limited both by lack of funds and “Crime Free” policies of rental units.  The 1996 Welfare Reform Act included a provision that prohibits receipt of TANF (welfare) or food stamps for life by anyone convicted of a drug felony. 

·         States have also passed laws with mandatory sentencing, “three strikes and you’re out” laws and institution of no parole policies for prisoners serving indeterminate sentences.  All of these are reasons behind the explosion in prison population across the nation and a recidivism rate of 60-70%.

It is recommended that Vincentians obtain copies and read the Bishops’ Letter on Restorative Justice (www.usccb.org )

E-Committee for VOP for Western Region

June 2006 -- More communication needed on issues of concern and actions taken by local councils.  A first step might be an annual survey in the region of programs offered by each Council  (for example, prison ministries, homeless services, payee services for SSD). Special areas of service may often lead to local legislative initiatives by VOP based on needs observed by direct experience.  The survey and results could be communicated to VOP representatives by the regional chair.

Seattle VOP News

May 2006 -- Jim Bloss, VOP Committee Chair for the Seattle Archdiocesan Council provides a report of VOP activities in Seattle.  Following is a summary of the report.

1.  Emphasis has been on the basic Seattle Archdiocesan Council/VOP structure, with some add ons; The VOP chair "alerts" the 5 Diocesan members of the Council and they activate what VOP "chain" they may have; some are more actively involved than the others and we haven't really "counted" their people who actively respond to alerts, etc.   In any alert situation they estimate the email/alert of 200+ people.

2. "Big 3" issues: affordable housing/homelessness, health care and just wage - and we've recently picked up on the immigration issue.  There usually ins’t time to "synthesize and translate" information that comes in; the WSCC alerts are a lot easier as they now have a CapWiz alert system.  It sure would be "great" if the SVdeP National/VOP would find the funding for such an alert system; it's really "great", I think!

3. We are actively collaborating at the higher advocacy levels with our WA. State Catholic Conference and other Catholic groups involved with what our area calls the Catholic Advocacy Network (WSCC, the International Peace and Justice Center, Catholic Community Services, reps. from the 3 Chancery/Diocesan offices in WA. state, and misc. other groups).  Individually, many of us are also involved with statewide groups that are involved with the homelessness issue; i.e., I'm currently on the Sky Valley Homeless Task Force (based out of/near where I live) and also attend meetings of the Snohomish County Homeless Policy Task Force, among others; and I know at least a couple of other folks at the Archdiocesan Council level are similarly involved in their Diocesan areas in Western WA (we just haven't taken a real "involvement inventory" at this point.

4.   A number of us have been involved in building relationships with local, county, state and congressional officials and their staff members.   Again we haven't taken an "involvement inventory" but, for instance, I know personally 2 people on the Monroe City Council (where I live), 1 person on the County Council and the County Exec., numerous State officials and have at least met my Congressional delegation folks and know U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, personally.  I know I'm not alone and that many of our SVdeP/VOP folk have similar connections; we're pushing this all the time as we all are aware of the importance of this kind of personal approach to our cause(s).

5. We have been trying to "push" VOP further in WA. state, beyond our own "west side of the mountains" to eastern WA.  - Yakima Diocese, Spokane Diocese.  We "did" get "some" SVdeP/VOP involvement in a recent Catholic Advocacy Day (statewide effort).  We "are" working on getting our VOP presentation for Conferences together but have regrouped and are researching what adds we need to make that will put more "spirituality" into our VOP effort, as represented/and presented to our Conferences. 

6.  No advice at this time for the National VOP Committee, except that it "would" be great if the Committee could activate it's own CapWiz - kind of alert system; let's face it - it works great, as we have seen and is something that we "should" have at the National level.  How about focusing just on what we've got and improving them - let's face it, if we can really do anything positive re affordable housing/homelessness, health care and just wage, we'll have about 80% of our poor, vulnerable constituent's problems pretty well solved!!  Suggestion in the region:  Consider pulling together a Western Region VOP Committee.

Immigration News

April 2006 -- From Linda Palmer (San Diego, CA), April 10, 2006:  Yesterday in San Diego, my conference(Christ the King) participated (300 plus including our entire clergy staff)--along with one other conference(Our Lady of Mount Carmel) in a mass protest of 100,000 in downtown San Diego. We had a strong citywide interfaith, labor, and activist representation of leaders and grassroot citizens. We've all been inspired by Roger Mahoney's actions and words. Unfortunately, our own Bishop… did allow our wonderful auxiliary bishop (Salvatorre Cordileone) to participate.   There is much hatred towards the immigrants from Mexico in SD. Why? We don't understand since many of these people have the immigrants cleaning their homes, businesses, and streets as well as picking their valuable cash crops in Northern San Diego County.  I was extremely pleased with this action. As part of the Society, PICO, and the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, I will continue to participate. I'm trying to encourage our Spanish-speaking parishioners to start a letter writing campaign, but many are wary since they are undocumented. I will keep you informed. Who knows, one day we'll officially have a VOP in the SD Council.

Western Region Report at MidYear Meeting

April 2006 -- Lucy Howell shares a written report on activities in the Western Region.  This was given at the Midyear meeting in St. Louis.

Conference Spreads the Word on SVDP-VOP in Church Bulletin

Getting the word out on the Voice of the Poor is just what Holy Angels Conference (Colma, Calif.) is doing.  A write up on Voice of the Poor is published in the parish's January 29, 2006 bulletin as part of the Conference's fifth Sunday collection.  Thank you Maureen O'Conner for sharing this!

Responding to President Flannigan's Immigration Letter

Jan. 2006 -- "Although Immigration issues are not currently at the "top" of our Seattle Archdiocesan Council/SVdeP/Voice of the Poor issues," said Jim Bloss, VOP chair, "I felt that the attached info./alert was important enough to pass on to you and also encourage your action; given the diversity of our parishes and even our Vincentian communities, it seems to me that we "must" become involved with this situation.   I've already sent an e mail to my Congressional Rep., Jay Inslee, thanking him for voting "nae/no" on this legislation and asking him to do as I plan to and to contact our state Senators (Murray and Cantwell) and urge them to also vote 'nae/no' on this apparently shortsided effort."  President Flannigan's letter is found in the News section of this website.

Evening of Reflection and More in Phoenix

Jan 2006 -- The Phoenix Council is holding an Evening of Reflection by Father Bill Fitzgerald  on Tiehard de Chardin Tuesday, January 31, 6 to 9 p.m.  

Representative Robert Meza (D, District  14), a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, represents an inner city district in Phoenix was one of two members of the legislature who responded to an invitation from St. Vincent de Paul to tour Ozanam Manor and hear about the value of General Assistance for disabled adults.  To read about Representative Meza in the Jesuit magazine, go to www.Americamagazine.org  for the week of January 16, "Of Many Things".

Three conferences and three districts have seen and heard Voice of the Poor's Power Point 12 minute presentation.  Nine more presentations are already scheduled.  This media presentation, produced at no cost by members of Voice of the Poor, is the result of the technological expertise of Inge and Tim Casey (St. Theresa)  and the recording and writing skills of Kathy Jorgensen (St. Jerome).
 

Please remember in prayer Monsignor Ryle, who recently was called home to the Lord.  He had been executive director of the Arizona Catholic Conference for over 20 years prior to his retirement three years ago.  He recently served on the board for Catholic Social Services and as the spiritual advisor for the SVdP Diocesan Board. He was also a treasured resource of Phoenix's Voice of the Poor. 

First Things First Initiative

Jan. 2006 -- Lucy Howell, VOP AZ, reports, "On Dec. 21 our board (22 to 1) approved a motion to endorse the First Things First Initiative (Very Early Childhood Development and Health Screening for ages 0 to 5) and encourage Vincentians to assist in the signature gathering effort.  

Nadine and Eddie Basha were granted a serial number to circulate the initiative to increase funding for early childhood education and health care. The initiative targets very young children, ages 0 to 5, with the goal of improved school readiness.  The source of the funding would come from placing a $0.80 tax on tobacco products. The initiative would establish regional councils to assess needs, develop programs and distribute funding. A state board will provide oversight. It is modeled on a 12-year-old program in North Carolina.

Arizona Legislators Visit St. Vincent de Paul

Jan. 2006 -- Lucy Howell, VOP AZ, reports on exciting activities in their January emailed newsletter:

On Tuesday, December 13, the Joint Legislative Committee on Homelessness, chaired by Senator Victor Soltero and Representative Judy Burges, held its final meeting of the year and made its recommendations to the Legislature.  There will be a separate report on the meeting.  After the Committee made its recommendations, the members recessed to the Human Resources Campus for a tour of the facilities and lunch at the St. Vincent de Paul facility.
On Wednesday, December 14, Representative Jerry Weiers led a small delegation to the St. Vincent de Paul Center on Watkins Road.  Representative Judy Burges and her husband, Bob, and Representative Ray Barnes joined them on the tour.  The group was joined for lunch at the Human Services Campus by Senator Jim Waring and Representatives Warde Nichols, Doug Quelland, John McComish and Laura Knaperek. Legislators assisted in serving lunch to our clients at the new facility.

Member of Voice of the Poor encourage you to invite your legislators to tour St. Vincent de Paul.  We will set up visits for you. 

TELL THE STORIES OF THOSE YOU SERVE TO VOP: Voice of the Poor would like to hear from you about problems encountered by your conference that might be helped by advocacy at the local, county or state level.  Help those you serve by telling us their stories (no names, please).

The 2006 Legislative Agenda for Voice of the Poor and approved by the diocesan board includes he following general areas:  affordable housing and homelessness, healthcare, immigration and income and assistance.  Positions recommended by Voice of the Poor must receive prior approval by the diocesan board.
 

VOP Powerpoint Presentations

Jan. 2006 AZ-VOP has five scheduled Power Point presentations (12-15 minutes long) in January.  "Since we have a total of nearly 90 conferences, this is an ambitious program," says Howell.  "Our goal is to reach more Vincentians and actively involve them in VOP."