Washington, DC – This is the fourth in a series of “snapshots” on the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) and its member organizations.
Who They Are: Church World Service (CWS) was born in the aftermath of World War II, when seventeen denominations formed an agency to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, comfort the aged, and shelter the homeless. Seventy years later, CWS is a global, faith-based organization transforming communities through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. (https://greateras1.org/ / @cws_global)
What They Do: Through international development, disaster relief, and its domestic immigration and refugee program, CWS supports action and communities grappling with climate change, emergencies, food security, water, issues facing women and children; advocates for robust refugee resettlement; facilitates refugee and immigrant integration; and fosters welcoming communities.
Where They Operate:
A full list of “Member Communions” is available here. These are the different Christian churches/denominations that makeup CWS.
Core Value: For I was hungry and you gave mefood, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.
Noted For: CROP Hunger Walks, community-wide events that have raised more than $8 million to date to end hunger at home and around the world.
Resettling half a million refugees in the United States.
Many successful overseas development projects such as in anti-desertification efforts in Algeria where over four years, using more than 5 million human-days of volunteer labor, some 20 million forest and fruit trees were planted to anchor the soil against nature’s persistent erosion.
Leadership and Key Contacts:
- Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO
- Jen Smyers, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Immigration and Refugee Program
- Meredith Owen, Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy
- Elissa Diaz, Policy Associate
- Rev. Noel Andersen, Grassroots Coordinator
- Mary Elizabeth Margolis, Director of Advocacy Communications (NYC)
- Bilal Askaryar, Senior Media Associate (DC)
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition unapologetically strives to uphold the dignity and humanity of all people and to stand in solidarity with refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers, and all of our neighbors. To be surrounded by people of faith who are unabashedly determined in pushing to enact moral policies keeps me inspired and energized in this ongoing struggle toward justice
Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO, Church World Service
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of 53 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants.
Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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