Bridging Faith, Organizing, and International Solidarity with Jessica Valdez

Cecilia has an impactful discussion with Angela Howard-McParland, the Justice Resource Manager for Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The sisters are part of Nuns Against Gun Violence, a coalition of Catholic Sisters and their allies that affirms the value of human life through prayer, education, and advocacy for common sense - evidence-based - gun violence prevention. Angela talks about the sisters’ ability to bring a unique perspective to justice issues, and how their work on the ground in communities has fueled a passion for advocacy and fighting for structural change.

Continuing the topic of homelessness and housing security, Cecilia has an energized and uplifting conversation with Rev. Kristin Joyner, Pastor of Community Engagement at Bothell United Methodist Church in Bothell, WA. Kristin shares the story of how her congregation's roots in community transformation have taken their organizing efforts on the issue of housing and homelessness to new heights and explains why she believes people of faith need to ensure their voices are being heard when decisions are being made about our communities. She closes us out by casting a vision of a community in which every person answers the call to move beyond individual comfort to make real sustainable change.  

Cecilia interviews Angel Mortel, Lead Community Organizer with LA Voice, about her journey into community organizing. Angel shares her recent experience organizing within the PICO CA Home is Sacred campaign, which ensures that all people have a dignified place to call home. Reflecting on her many years of service in the field of faith-inspired justice work, Angel illuminates how organizing has become her spiritual practice of planting seeds for God’s new creation. Tune in as we learn from her about the importance of making long-term commitments to achieve changes in our local communities and world! 

In this episode, Cecilia delves into environmental justice with guest Rev. AC Churchill. AC is an ordained minister within the Christian tradition who views the work of environmental justice to be intrinsically connected to anti-racism and pro-reconciliation work. Throughout the conversation, AC emphasizes the interconnectivity between all social justice issues, and the important work of helping motivate people of faith into social justice action. Their joy and passion for organizing as a pathway to repair and restore relationship is something that we can aspire to embody.

Cecilia interviews Julian Matthews, who is a Board Member and Coordinator for Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment, an organization that carries on time-honored sustainable environmental practices in the tradition of the Nimiipuu by facilitating and organizing tribal youth and adults in activities for the protection, enhancement, and promotion of mother earth and the Nimiipuu culture. Julian shares about the current work being done around dam removal, protecting salmon, and teaching new generations of young people about native practices. This episode is a great reminder of why respect and restoration of indigenous practices is important not only for the preservation of culture but of mother earth. Please note, sensitive and strong language is used during this episode. 

Cecilia interviews Sr. Cheryl Liske, OP, who has spent over three decades organizing as part of the Gamliel National Network. As a Dominican Sister of Adrian Michigan, Sister Cheryl shares stories and insights from her many years of organizing, which all speak to the importance of taking the time to build and foster deep relationships. After this episode, you’ll certainly be inspired and motivated to work for justice and to build beloved community! 

In this episode, Cecilia speaks with Alex, Sydney, and Pavithra, members of IPJC’s Youth Advisory Team Internship, also known as YATI and with Sarah Pericich-Lopez, who is IPJC’s faith communities organizer who organizes the team. We often hear that the youth are the future, but this conversation reminds us of how much youth can do right now when they are given the opportunity to deepen relationship with their communities, and to express and fight for what is important to them. This episode will inspire you to be bold, take risks, and to listen deeply as a way to make meaningful change in our world today. 

In this episode, Cecilia had the opportunity to have a very inspiring conversation with Ana Garcia-Ashley, who is Executive Director of the Gamaliel Foundation. Ana shares the story of her amazing journey in organizing, which is something that she considers to be life long and part of her destiny. She also shares some of the struggles she faces as an immigrant and woman of color in an executive leadership position, and how staying close to the people fuels her fight. And don't be concerned if you feel agitated by her call to action – it was intentional.

In this episode, Cecilia gets to know Jessica Valdez, who organizes with the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) in Seattle. Jessica shares how organizing around issues in the Philippines helped her to reconnect with her identity as a Filipina in the diaspora, discusses how her recent learning tour to the Philippines has helped fuel her desire to continue in the fight, and invites our listeners to lean into curiosity so that we can recognize that we need each other in the long haul fight for justice.

In this episode, Cecilia had the pleasure of speaking with a dear friend and fellow organizer, Ogechi Akalegbere. Ogechi is a Nigerian-American living in Gaithersburg, Maryland where she works as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Washington. She also organizes with Action in Montgomery, a broad-based community power organization rooted in Montgomery County neighborhoods and congregations. Ogechi shares how she got started in community organizing, and how the profoundly relational nature of organizing has infused the way she approaches her spiritual and everyday life. Please listen carefully to the end of the interview, where Ogechi invites all the listeners to participate in a super important and unique call to action!