About

Mission Statement

The National Advocacy Center educates and develops strategies to address social justice issues and advocates for the transformation of society to the benefit of all people.

​NAC reflects the spirituality, history and mission of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, working in solidarity with the disenfranchised - particularly families, women and children. 

At the National Advocacy Center, we:

National Advocacy Center Priorities
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.
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  • 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, newsletters, and presentations to the Sisters and agency personnel on policy and advocacy.
  • Lobby and foster relationships with members of Congress and their staffs.
  • Join with other human needs advocacy organizations in coalitions to strengthen the voice for social justice.
  • Prepare and sign on to policy statements and engages 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.
​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. 
 
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:
  • Advocate for programs and policies that help people free themselves from poverty
  • Work to provide a safe haven for immigrants and refugees fleeing poverty and violence
  • Seek an end to domestic violence
  • Ensure full economic equality for women in the workplace
  • Demand legislation and policies to reduce gun violence
  • Work to prevent human trafficking both here and overseas
  • Lobby for legislation that will ensure adequate housing for all
  • Help enact legislation and policies to protect the environment
Each issue has a variety of aspects.  For example, the issue of poverty includes pressing for tax reform so that the wealthy pay their fair share.  To end poverty, we need to increase the minimum wage and protect the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit.

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." 
 
The idea for a National Advocacy Center was born and in October 2001 the National Advocacy Center was founded in our nation’s capital.
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