Washington, DC – This is the latest in a series of “snapshots” on the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) and its member organizations.
Who They Are: The Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach (CCAO) is the US-based advocacy office for the Missionary Society of St. Columban. CCAO believes that federal policies and decisions should be informed by the experiences of the people most impacted by those policies and decisions. CCAO advocates for peace and justice, and is guided by the Gospels, Catholic Social Teaching, and the experience of Columban missionaries and the communities they serve. (www.columbancenter.org / @ColumbanCenter)
What They Do: Columbans live in solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, and the wounded earth. In 16 countries around the world, Columbans accompany these communities in the search for justice. They also organize humanitarian relief efforts like livelihood projects, medical clinics, and schools.
In 1985, CCAO was established to “bridge the gap” between these communities and policymakers in Washington, DC. We advocate on priorities identified by these communities — including economic justice, environmental justice, migration, and peace and demilitarization — to ensure that their needs are reflected in federal policy.
Where They Operate: Columbans serve in 16 countries around the world, including Pakistan, the Philippines, and Peru. Additionally, Columbans have lived and served alongside the people of the US/MX borderlands for nearly thirty years. We live and serve in El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juárez, MX. CCAO is located in Washington, DC.
Core Value: At the heart of the Columban mission is cross-cultural exchange, the belief that God speaks to us through the experiences of others, particularly those who are marginalized or living in poverty, and that we should open our hearts to learn from those experiences. As St. Columban puts it: “a life unlike your own can be your teacher.”
Rooted in this foundation, Columbans are committed to addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality, environmental degradation, forced migration, and violence and war — struggles that communities all over the world face on a daily basis.
Noted For: CCAO is noted for its expertise on US/MX border issues, as well as educating and mobilizing people of faith to advocate for just border policy.
CCAO has developed faith-based recommendations for US/MX border policy; facilitates an “Advocacy Fellows” program to equip young adult leaders with the skills for leadership, advocacy, and organizing; supports the work of the Columban Mission Center in El Paso, TX; and is a core-team member of the Justice for Immigrants coalition.
Leadership and Key Contacts:
- Scott Wright, Director
- Rebecca Eastwood, Policy Coordinator
- Wesley Cocozello, Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Quote:
St. Columban teaches us that ‘a life unlike our own can be our teacher.’ Columbans believe that border communities are a sacred place for these encounters. Human dignity does not stop at our border. Rather, borders are an opportunity for all of us to be transformed by the spiritual and cultural gifts migrants and refugees bring.
Scott Wright, Director, CCAO
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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