National Advocacy Center Of The Sisters Of The Good Shepherd
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2011 National Advocacy Center Priorities

Inspired by the 2009 General Chapter Direction Statement, the National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd will advocate on a national level for laws that benefit the poor, the disenfranchised – particularly families, women and children. We will organize our Good Shepherd constituency to participate in actions that petition the United States Congress to act favorably on these issues:

“Work zealously with women and children, especially those who are trafficked, forced to migrate and oppressed by abject poverty.”

1. Human Trafficking (includes involuntary servitude, sexual exploitation, military conscription of children, and sale of human organs)

2. Combat Poverty and Its Effects (protecting critical human needs programs during these challenging economic times)

3. Domestic Violence (violence against women, increased funding for Domestic Violence programs)

4. Immigration (seek humane Comprehensive Immigration Reform)

5. Budget Fairness (advocate for policies that enable more families to find employment and move toward economic self-sufficiency)

6. Mental Health (includes substance abuse treatment and increased access to treatment)

7. Juvenile Justice (reduce the number of youth in the adult criminal justice systems; resist over-criminalization for minor and nonviolent adolescent misbehavior)

8. Housing and Homelessness (programs that provide housing assistance and assistance for those experiencing homelessness)

9. Global Economic Justice and Peace (foreign aid, global health, trade issues, peace efforts)

10. Economic equality in the workplace (women still face discrimination in the workplace, and they still earn, on average, only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men)


“Foster a deepening of our spirituality and a new consciousness of our identity as Good Shepherd which enlivens our prayer, community life, ministries and our desire to shepherd God’s creation.”

 (2009 General Chapter Directive)

11. Environment (seek a deeper respect for God’s creation and engage in activities that deal with environmental problems, particularly as they affect the poor)