About

Mission Statement

The National Advocacy Center (NAC) works at the federal level to encourage just policies, to challenge unjust policies, and to develop positive alternatives when needed so as to be in solidarity with those on the margins.  Through its activities, NAC serves as a voice for the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd and Partners in Mission in the United States, bringing their concerns to national legislators, and informing the sisters, their partners, and the public at large about its social justice focus areas.  

National Advocacy Center Goals

​The National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd advocates on a national level for laws that benefit poor and disenfranchised people – particularly families, women and children. Focus areas also are influenced by what is moving in Congress and the work of our coalition partners.
 
NAC organizes the Good Shepherd constituency to petition the U.S. Congress to act favorably on issues that impact those on the margin.
​With your active participation, advocacy, and prayers, NAC will continue to:
  • Combat Human Trafficking
  • Fight Poverty / Work for Economic Justice
  • Work to Stop Domestic Violence / Gun Violence
  • Seek Support and Safety for Migrant Families, including Refugees and Asylum Seekers
  • Advocate Care for our Foster Youth
  • Act to Improve Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Supports
  • Focus on U.S. Policy as it Impacts Other Countries, Particularly Those Where Good Shepherd Serves
Integral to our work on any of these issues is an allegiance to racial justice and equity, environmental justice, and gender equality.

Strategies for Change

At NAC, we amplify the Good Shepherd voice by linking the ministries and services of the Sisters, lay associates, and lay staff around the country to speak up and work for change in the structures of society.

Change happens when we bring our voice and our experiences to the table. If we don't speak up and advocate, then policymakers and legislators can't be faulted for not modifying laws, drafting regulations, budgeting for programmatic opportunities.
For our Partners-in-Mission (Good Shepherd Agencies), NAC seeks to support their clients and agency needs at the federal level. If lawmakers and government officials don't know about needs and vulnerabilities, they can't help their constituents.

So at NAC, our strategies for change are to:

  • Build awareness and encourage action related to legislative priorities and relevant social justice issues.
  • Prepare educational materials for Good Shepherd groups in the United States, including e-letters, action alerts, other materials, social media toolkits, and presentations to the Sisters and agency personnel on policy and advocacy.
  • Lobby and foster relationships with members of Congress and their staffs.
  • Support, oppose or recommend changes to legislation, regulations or policies.
  • Join with other human needs advocacy organizations in coalitions to strengthen the voice for social justice.
  • Prepare and sign on to policy statements and engage in peaceful demonstrations and other public events.
  • Collaborate with the Good Shepherd NGO representative at the United Nations in New York to support international advocacy efforts.
  • Work in partnership with many faith-based and other organizations, coalitions and communities (see below).

Advocacy Partners

NAC works in partnership with many faith-based and other organizations, coalitions and communities. A listing of these organizations and coalitions follows:

Give Today

Support The National Advocacy Center's mission to act in solidarity with those on the margins of society, especially the poor, immigrants and survivors of human trafficking.

The National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Inc. is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation; as such donations are not tax deductible.

The Call for a "National Advocacy Center"

The  1997 "General Chapter"  -- a meeting held once every six years that brings together the Sisters and provides direction and guidance to the community -- called the Congregation of the Good Shepherd Sisters to be "life bearers for the poor of our world."  Those at the gathering recommended a specific means of implementation.

At the 1997 General Assembly of the Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd (at this time, the Contemplative Sisters gathered separately), the group expressed an urgency to "find ways to be more open to 'Justice and Peace' issues, especially the rights of women and children."

Two U.S. provinces - Mid-North America and New York/Toronto - founded the National Advocacy Center to be their voice on Capitol Hill and advocate for the forgotten and those on the margin of society. A third province, Central South, also joined.
The idea for a National Advocacy Center was born and in October 2001 the National Advocacy Center was founded in our nation’s capital.