Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York’s Post

From A Story of Resilience and Triumph to work activities to celebrate the season of giving, Giving Tuesday. Check out Justice for all Immigrants, November 2023 Newsletter, for updates on our progress and clients. https://bit.ly/3QNgb3i #newsletter #justiceforallimmigrants

Today is #GivingTuesday! Be sure to support #AmericanMuslim #CommunityFoundation so we can be Better Together, For Today & Future Generations. Read our year end letter here: amuslimcf.org/yearend

It’s complicated to care for people, navigate neighborhood and city politics, and get things built. Our culture says “the math doesn’t work” when low income commmunities demand equity. Profit for those who already have wealth is the priority in most all housing conversations. The same home built in Leawood, KS and the Lykins Neighborhood of KCMO will cost the same to construct in either location. But the financial value after it is built is appraised by the “market” in the location it is built. So, since Leawood has a greater “value” than Lykins, the same home is worth less (legacy of “Redlining”). A good comparison is to imagine if you buy a Tesla and drive it through both neighborhoods. We would think someone foolish if they said that by driving a Tesla in a poor community, it is now worth less than when it was in Leawood. But, when the asset cannot move, it’s value is based on the worth that our culture has for the other people living around the asset, not the asset itself. A car is worth the same in both communities. A new home is worth what a mortgage lender values the “neighborhood” that the new home is in. Not the actual value of the asset. When it comes to housing development, Profit is King. Why would you build where the home is worth less? For 50 years, there hasn’t been new home construction (except for the work of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City ) in the Lykins neighborhood because everyone who looks into it comes to the same conclusion. They (residents of Lykins) are not worth it. Choosing to built with the same level of care that can be demanded in Leawood, but placing that in Lykins, is a choice to deny “Profit as King” and instead say “our neighbors deserve better”. , Reda Ibrahim and Cesar Cea, PE show that good people will sacrifice for their community. Even when everyone else is too afraid to take the risk. They stopped believing the lie that $ = value. They built an asset in a community and they show us a path for People = Value thinking in new home construction in KCMO.

Today marks a significant anniversary for me. On this day in 1980, at just 2 years old, I arrived in the United States with my young, traumatized, and scared mother, fleeing the brutal Civil War in El Salvador. As I reflect on this milestone, I can't help but acknowledge the role that political asylum played in changing the course of our lives. Without it, our story might have taken a drastically different turn. It's a stark reminder that the policies and actions of nations can have profound impacts on the lives of individuals and families across the globe. The United States, a beacon of hope for many, provided sanctuary for us during our darkest hour. Yet, it's crucial to recognize that the need for asylum stemmed, in part, from the destabilization of our homeland in Central America. We cannot ignore the role that external forces, including those of the U.S., played in shaping the circumstances that led us to seek refuge. My story is just one among millions of immigrants who have made and continue to make invaluable contributions to this country. Immigrants enrich the fabric of American society with their diverse cultures, talents, and perspectives. Asylum seekers, like my family, are not seeking handouts or special treatment; they are escaping unfathomable horrors and seeking safety and dignity. On this anniversary, and as we go into this year's election cycle, I urge us all to remember the importance of humane treatment and straightforward processes for all human beings, including those seeking refuge. We must strive for policies and practices that support, rather than deter, individuals and families in their pursuit of a better life. It's not only the moral thing to do; it's also in the best interest of our nation's values and future. #ImmigrantsMakeAmericaGreat #AsylumSeekers #RefugeesWelcome #HumanRights #Inclusion #Solidarity

It's National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day (NATSICD) today. A day for all Australians to learn more about the crucial impact culture, family and community play in the lives of every First nations child. The first NATSICD was held on 4 August, 1988. The date 4 August was historically used to celebrate the birthdays of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families without knowing their birthday – the Stolen Generations. While a lot has changed since 1988, it is important to reflect on the hardships Indigenous children continue to face today. For example, almost half of all young people in detention are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids even though they make up less than 6% of children in Australia. More needs to be done to address the needs of First Nations kids. In the words of SNAICC - National Voice for our Children, "A First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution will amplify the work being done to ensure our children can flourish, with power over their destinies." Find out more about NATSICD here: https://lnkd.in/gPkZnQY

For the health, education, and financial stability of all.

We recognize the long, rich history of America’s many Indigenous peoples – and acknowledge the challenges they continue to face. For #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, learn how Fostering Indigenous Resources and Empowerment (FIRE), our newest employee resource group, is raising awareness of these issues and supporting our Indigenous community worldwide. https://bit.ly/40TxLau

Today is #InternationalDayofFamilies - these can be complicated relationships for street-connected children, and it is important to remember an individualised and nuanced approach when working with street-connected children and family reunification. You can find out more in our submission here 👉 https://ow.ly/XluA50RFV6j

History often overlooks the power of everyday people coming together, especially in our community and Black History.... In 1920s Harlem, Afro-Caribbean domestic workers formed mutual aid societies that went far beyond offering social support. These groups, like the Bermudan Benevolent Society & Grenada Mutual Aid Association, served as: -Lifelines for newcomers Providing financial aid, resources, and a sense of belonging in a new city. - Hotbeds of activism Fueling the fight against colonialism, racism, and labor exploitation. - Bridges to broader movements Connecting domestic workers to unions & advocating for collective solutions. Their story reminds us that mutual aid isn't just about individual support, but collective empowerment. It's a powerful tool for marginalized communities to navigate challenges, build solidarity, and drive social change. #BlackHistoryMonth #MutualAid #CommunityBuilding #Harlem

It was an absolute privilege to join forces with Allies for Children Australia this past Friday at Barnardos Australia. As we gathered with founding CEOs and leaders from the First Nations Non-Government Alliance, the session was not just a meeting but a profound commitment to action and change. In Australia, the stark reality that an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child is 11 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than their non-Indigenous peers is not just a statistic; it's a call to action for all of us. Our collective efforts with Allies for Children to address this overrepresentation is a journey towards justice and equity, rooted in: Modelling Change: We strive to lead by example within our organisations, implementing practices that acknowledge and address systemic biases. Supporting Sector Change: Sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences is crucial. We are committed to fostering an environment where learning and growth are mutual, uplifting the entire sector. Advocacy and Partnership: Our work with Peak bodies, ACCOs, and Government is more than collaboration; it's a partnership grounded in respect and a shared vision for the future. Our session underscored the power of unity and the importance of listening to and supporting First Nations leadership. The insights, leadership, and recommendations provided by the First Nations Non-Government Alliance are invaluable. They guide us not only towards meeting Close the Gap targets but also in setting new benchmarks for justice, care, and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. My commitment to reducing the overrepresentation of our First Nations Children in Child Protection and Justice systems is unwavering. This commitment is not just professional; it's a personal purpose anchored in the belief that all children and young people should be safe, respected, nurtured, and able to reach their full potential, with a need to redress long-term systemic racism. Allies for Children is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together, listen deeply, and act purposefully. Let us continue this critical work, hand in hand, with open hearts and minds, towards a future where every child thrives in the embrace of their community and culture. #ChildrenAndFamilies #Advocacy24 #Reconciliation #Partnership #Collaboration #CloseTheGap #FirstNationsLeadership