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Inside this issue…

WINTER 2015

On Saturday, February 7,

2015, from 8:45am-12:30pm,

IJPC is sponsoring the free

Awakening the Dreamer Sympo-

sium, offered by the Cincinnati

Area Pachamama Alliance. This

is a half-day transformative edu-

cational workshop that explores

environmental challenges and

possibilities of this moment in

time and the role people can

play in creating a new future. It

awakens participants to the

need for and the opportunity of

bringing forth a new future. In

the

work-

shop,

partici-

pants

discov-

er possibility and grounded opti-

mism, and are moved into con-

crete action.

The free event will be held at

St. Joseph Catholic Community

Church at 745 Ezzard Charles Dr.

in Cincinnati, OH.

Visit www.ijpccincinnati.org for

more information. Register by

phone 513.579.8547, or by email

andrea.koverman@ijpccincinnati.org.

IJPC Addressing

Climate Change

St. Nick’s Day Sale

On December 6, 2014 IJPC

held its annual St. Nick’s Day

Sale fundraiser. It was a time of

merry smiles of old and new

friends. This year IJPC interns

modeled international clothing,

we had great participation in a

photo booth for fun, and Sr. Al-

ice brought her famous cheese-

ball to share. Many supporters

found this was the perfect time

to purchase nifty gifts from

around the world and from lo-

cal merchants. Thank you to all

who donated items and all who

attended. In the words of XU

intern Michelle Roach, “If you

happened to miss this event,

you missed a grand ole’ time.”

Photo: Beau-

tiful sign

hand paint-

ed by board

member Sr.

Ann Vonder

Meulen at-

tracted pass-

ersby to the

event.

(Top) Can-

dles hand

painted by

Sr. Alice

Gerdeman

sold at the

sale.

(Bottom)

Friends of

IJPC got

into the

holiday

spirit in

our photo

booth!

St. Nick Day Sale 1

Climate Change Event 1

A letter from Allison 2

Immigration Program Update 3

Thank you Sr. Monica and Kay 3

Welcome Lauren, NKU Intern 3

IJPC Stakeholder Study 4-5

Anti-Death Penalty Program

Update

5

Reflection: Stewart Detention

Center

6

Reflection: Human Right to

Clean Water

7

IJPC Runs the Flying Pig 8

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Founding Sponsors:

Sisters of Charity

Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille

Sisters of Mercy

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg

Sponsors:

Anawim Community

Cincinnati Friends Meeting

Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship

Comboni Missionaries

Dominican Sisters of Hope

Franciscans, St. John the Baptist

Province

Glenmary Home Missioners

Institute of Secular Missionaries

Sisters of Divine Providence

Sisters of Notre Dame of

Covington

New Jerusalem Community

St John Unitarian Universalist Church

Ursulines of Brown County

Ursulines of Cincinnati

Staff:

Allison Reynolds-Berry, MSW

Executive Director

Kathleen Hebbeler, OP

Bookkeeper

Elizabeth Bowyer, SNDdN

Receptionist/Secretarial Volunteer

Robert Charron

Receptionist/Clerical Volunteer

Andrea Koverman, SC

Multi-issue Volunteer

Michelle Roach, XU Intern

Lauren Gabbard, NKU Intern

Board of Directors:

Judi Clemens, SNDdeN

Margie Efkeman, OSU

Irene Encarnacion

Wes Ernst

Kathleen Hebeler, OP

Carren Herring, RSM

Louise Lears, SC

Cassie Niemann

Amy Silver

Sr Ann Vonder Meulen, OSF

Tim Zofkie

215 East 14th Street

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Phone: 513.579.8547

Email: info@ijpccincinnati.org

Website: www.ijpccincinnati.org

What a wonderful welcome I have re-

ceived from so many of you since begin-

ning in my new role as Executive Director

in December 2014. For those of you I have

not yet met, let me tell you a little of my

story. I grew up just outside of Chicago in a

family of six that often seemed much big-

ger with many friends and family around. I can remember going

downtown Chicago to celebrate Christmas Eve with extended family,

looking at the lights from the warm car. As we drove down Lower

Wacker Drive, I looked out the window and saw people living, sleep-

ing, and huddled in cardboard and blankets trying to stay warm in

the dark, cold tunnel. I looked from the cold and isolated to the luxu-

ry condos above. At 8 years old, I did not know how to make sense

of the injustice, fear, guilt and frustration I felt. The jarring reality of

this experience has stayed with me.

I continue to have jarring experiences in my life, witnessing

poverty in Haiti, accompanying families affected by migration in El

Salvador, and organizing for domestic violence prevention in Boston.

I carry with me each person I meet, each story I hear. Since moving

to Cincinnati in July, I have only begun to hear the local stories: im-

migrants, inmates on death row and their families, and people

changed through peace dialogue. Reading thoughts and feedback

from the Stakeholder Study has been invaluable in addition to the

conversations I have had in person with volunteers, committee

members and dedicated peacemakers. The need is ever present,

the work continues to build, and our stories become more inter-

twined.

This New Year is going to be full of changes. There will contin-

ue to be new faces at IJPC, including staff, volunteers, and a new

website. We are taking time in this transition to look at IJPC’s core

issues and prioritize them in a way that reflects local needs and op-

portunities. We are utilizing the results from the Stakeholder Study

to help inform the work ahead. We will celebrate IJPC’s 30th anniver-

sary and the incredible people and movements that have lead us to

this moment. My hope for this year is that we continue to be jarred

by the injustices we experience in our everyday. We will hear the sto-

ries of those most affected. We will be part of the solution to edu-

cate and advocate for peace.

A Letter from Allison Reynolds-Berry

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IJPC has been collaborating with Su Casa Hispanic Center, part of

Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio, to address the needs of unac-

companied minors in the Cincinnati area. Many of the young people in

the area are reaching out for help as their immigration hearing date

approaches. Most first time hearings take place at the Federal Immi-

gration Court in Cleveland and youth risk deportation if they fail to ap-

pear.

There is great need for volunteer drivers who are available on short

notice to do the 1 day, 8 hour drive from Cincinnati to Cleveland and

back. The urgency and significance of the situation has been met with

support from many religious communities in the area, IJPC’s Immigra-

tion Committee, and our new Executive Director. If you are willing to

help, please call Allison at IJPC for details on how to sign up.

Welcome, Lauren!

Hi! I’m Lauren Gabbard and I’m the newest intern here at

IJPC. I grew up just south of Cincinnati in Alexandria, Ken-

tucky. After attending Campbell County High School I en-

rolled at Northern Kentucky University and have enjoyed

the past five years majoring in Political Science and Eco-

nomics with an Honors minor. At NKU I’ve had the wonder-

ful opportunity to work closely with faculty members on

three independent research projects that focused on mi-

crofinance evaluation, sustainability and fair trade, and

economics education. I’ve also been a leader of the Envi-

ronmentally Concerned Organization of Students where

I’ve helped organize numerous events and activities. Most

recently I worked for Kentuckians for the Commonwealth

as a Campus Voter Empowerment Electoral Organizer. I’m

looking forward to working with IJPC on issues such as im-

migration, human trafficking, environmental sustainability,

the death penalty, and international conflict to help work

toward justice and bring peace to our communities.

Immigration Program

Our deepest thanks goes out to

Sr. Monica McGloin and Kay

Brogle who served as IJPC’s in-

terim co-directors during the six

-month transition. We are grate-

ful for their wisdom, leadership,

and passion for justice. Thank-

fully, we’re not saying goodbye;

they both plan to be involved

with IJPC in a volunteer capacity

as we move forward.

Thank you

Sr. Monica and Kay!

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IJPC Stakeholder Study

In October 2014, IJPC conducted research with key stakeholders in preparation for the development of

a new vision for the future and the hiring of new staff leadership. The research included individual inter-

views with sponsors, staff, volunteers, and three focus groups of donors, community members, and com-

munity organizations. Jane Page-Steiner, President of JPS Nonprofit Strategies conducted the research.

We are grateful to all those who shared their thoughts and feedback as we look toward the future.

Highlights of Findings

Study participants found that IJPC is a respected leader in bringing issues of injustice to the public con-

versation. They strongly recommend that IJPC continue in this role. IJPC Response: IJPC will continue to

inform the community at large about relevant and timely issues of peace and justice. Internal capacity for

research and community involvement will increase as new staff are hired.

Study respondents put a strong value on IJPC’s role in educating the

community on social justice issues and on fostering active engage-

ment in social justice activity. They especially encouraged outreach to

schools and young people. IJPC Response: Education will continue to

be a core value and approach to engage individuals and groups. The

Immigration Committee, Women In Black arm of the Peace Commit-

tee, and Anti-Death Penalty Committees continue to be active. IJPC will

present a range of options for engagement. Increasing our presence

on social media will help to keep people updated and actively connect-

ed.

Study respondents suggested a clearer understanding of how IJPC

chooses specific issues, stating that IJPC should be able to both take the lead and/or play a supportive

role in consultation and collaboration with other groups. IJPC Response: This time of transition has al-

lowed IJPC to slow down and intentionally look at the current program issues and the changing local

needs to better recommit to priority issue areas. We will factor into the equation the many new organiza-

tions and coalitions that have emerged in response to local concerns. We will address whether IJPC

should play a leading or supportive role in order to share strengths and preserve resources. We are con-

ducting a needs assessment to evaluate current social issues including Immigration, death penalty, peace

and non-violence, ecology, human trafficking, human rights, violence prevention, women’s concerns in

society and church, racial justice and economic justice. Through research and conversation with the

board of directors, sponsor communities and interested individuals, we will prioritize issue areas to focus

on this year. This will also help to appropriately hire additional program staff.

Respondents suggested that IJPC continue to provide different levels of response to justice issues: writ-

ten analysis of an issue; provision of educational dialogue; advocating for long-term systemic change.

IJPC Response: The variety of ways in which IJPC has addressed issues in the past will continue. The re-

newed website will enhance our ability to provide easy access to up-to-date information, including written

analysis of issues, notices of events, and opportunities for action.

IJPC is seen as a

respected leader in

bringing issues of

injustice to the

public

conversation

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Ohio House Bill 663 was passed this past December and is set to take effect in March 2015. The con-

troversial bill will shield the names of companies providing lethal-injection drugs, void contracts that pro-

hibit the sale of execution drugs, and give anonymity to physicians who testify in court regarding the

method and details of an execution. Supporters of the bill say this is necessary to protect drug manufac-

turers from public harassment, to ensure that the state is able to obtain a supply of the lethal drugs and

obtain expert testimony when needed. Because the European companies that previously supplied

Ohio’s preferred lethal drug, pentobarbital, are no longer willing to do so, the state began using a two-

drug combination for executions. But those executions have gone very badly, resulting in a court-ordered

moratorium, which will end soon. Four Death Row inmates are suing to stop the implementation of HB

663 until a trial can take place. They allege that the new provisions violate the right of free speech. Crit-

ics of the law also cite concern about the lack of transparency and public information the law would cre-

ate. Ohio Public Defender Tim Young stated, “Rather than continuing to patch and trying to hide a

flawed, decades-old system, it’s time for Ohio to carefully examine the costs, benefits, structure, and

practices of capital punishment.” For more information and to take action, visit the Ohioans to Stop Exe-

cutions website: www.otse.org.

In addition to the stakeholder study, the IJPC board of directors took

time during a retreat in November to vision together about the future

of IJPC. At the January board meeting, the following vision and organ-

izational vision were approved to focus the work of IJPC for the fu-

ture.

Vision: A just and peaceful world

Organizational Vision:

1. Seek partners with a passion for justice and peace to further our

work in transforming structures of exclusion and privilege.

2. Collaborate intentionally in the pursuit of justice and systemic

change.

3. Inspire and engage communities to create change through analy-

sis and action.

Anti-Death Penalty Program Update

IJPC is Hiring

Join the growing IJPC team.

We are searching for a full-

time Operations Manager to

assist with communications,

fundraising and volunteer

management. The full job de-

scription can be found on the

website at ijpccincinnati.org on

the Current News page. Appli-

cations will be accepted until

February 7, 2015.

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By Claudia Cano, RSM

On the morning of November 22, 2014, the march to Stewart

Detention Center began in Lumpkin, GA. As this was my first time

as a participant, I was filled with excitement, determination, and

a bit of caution. Among the shimmering of emotions that ran

through my body, the most prevalent was determination. I was

determined with every step I took to express my support for all

the families who have been affected by the violent injustices

done by the governments and military in their countries. As I and

roughly a thousand other human rights activists approached the

outer boundaries of the property, the event began with songs and

chants expressing our frustration. The testimonial of a married

couple, the husband who was a detainee, blessed the crowd with

their story of how they were finally able to get him released after

more than three years.

The entire event was such a powerful call of conversion for me,

and I assume for many others who marched and stood with me. God

calls us to be better each day and I feel deep within my soul that as result of

experiencing and partaking of this event, I am being called to speak and stand

against the injustices done on the most vulnerable. I and my family have been

blessed to have the entities that so many are in search for when they begin

their journey to the United States. I will never forget how I felt not only after

the march but also after the School of America’s (SOA) Watch weekend. I

know that I will return to Fort Benning in November because the movement to

close SOA is not over until it is completely shut down. Will you join me? Visit

www.soaw.org for more information.

Reflection on the March to Stewart Detention Center

and the School of the Americas

Over a thousand human rights activists on

the march to the Stewart Detention Cen-

ter in Lumpkin, GA

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Addressing the Basic Human Right to Clean Water

This winter, IJPC volunteer Sr. Andrea Koverman, had

the opportunity to travel to Haiti, the poorest country in the

western hemisphere and one of the poorest and most

densely populated countries in the world. Andrea’s congre-

gation, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, participate in a

program called Water With Blessings. This program raises

money, purchases, delivers and provides training to mar-

ginalized populations interested in using Sawyer Water Fil-

ters. These portable filters are relatively inexpensive, about

$60 each, and they can provide up to one hundred and

seventy gallons of safe water per day for up to a decade.

This Water With Blessings program works solely with women, since they are often the primary or only

caregivers of children. Each woman makes a promise to share her filter with at least three other fami-

lies in her community, thereby multiplying the number of individuals who will benefit significantly. This

sharing also empowers the women to become community leaders.

Andrea and two other members of the Company of Charity went to Haiti to deliver Sawyer Water Fil-

ters and training to villagers having no access to safe drinking water. After flying into Port-au-Prince,

they drove another three hours by truck up into the mountain village of Layaye. From this base of opera-

tion, they traveled along mountain paths with local guides for another couple of hours by foot and mule

into an even more remote and rural village called Zabriko. There are no roads or other infrastructure,

and the people are mostly subsistence farmers who struggle daily to provide enough food to feed their

families. The only water source for villagers in this region are mountain rivers and streams, which they

share with any cows, goats, or pigs they might be fortunate enough to own. Most people walk for miles

to access water, but it is dirty and contaminated. Water borne diseases, like cholera, kill many people,

especially the children who have little immunity. They must resort to using it for bathing, drinking, and

cooking.

Three trips were made to Zabriko over the course of the week to select participants and do two train-

ing sessions with groups of twenty. Forty women with infants or

young children were selected by lottery to receive a filter. They were

taught how to assemble, disassemble, and clean their filters. The

women selected their own leader who will be responsible for bringing

the women together on a monthly basis, ensuring that the filters are

being used properly and effectively. The women personalized their

buckets with pictures or the names of their children.. The number of

children who will have access to safe water as a result of this effort

is estimated to be more than five hundred. Future trips to the sur-

rounding villages are being planned. If you are interested in making

a donation for the purchase of filters, please contact Debbie Weber

at debbie.weber@srcharitycinti.org.

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Intercommunity Justice

& Peace Center

215 East 14th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202

Nonprofit

Organization

U.S. Postage

Paid

Cincinnati, OH

#7244

Ready to Run for Team IJPC?

Join in the fun of the Flying Pig May 2-3, 2015 to help support IJPC.

Runners, walkers, volunteers and cheerers are all needed to make

this event a success. 5K, Relay, 10K, half or full marathoners – all

are welcome! Please call IJPC to let us know you are interested and

for the registration discount code.