IPJC-NWCRI Annual Reports 2022-23

THE STORIES OF AN EXTRAORDINARILY COURAGEOUS COMMUNITY Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center | 2022 - 23

Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center

Annual Report & Appeal for Support

NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WHEN WE ARE BRAVE ENOUGH TO SIT WITH OUR PAIN, IT DEEPENS OUR ABILITY TO SIT WITH THE PAIN OF OTHERS. IT SHOWS US HOW TO LOVE THEM.” — Valarie Kaur Dear IPJC Community, Valarie Kaur’s quote above reminds me of a common phrase utilized to describe the purpose of community organizing and public storytelling: “moving from private shame to public pain.” At IPJC we believe in the power of storytelling for liberation and social change. As we continue to ground our work in faith-based community organizing pedagogy and practice, relationships and stories remain central.

Throughout this year, we have witnessed our community courageously share their pain and bear the pain of others compassionately, which you will witness on the proceeding pages. We hope to share stories from our community to demonstrate the power and impact of our collective work.

An experience that comes to mind, for me, occurred in February when our staff and many members of our community traveled to San Francisco, CA to support and participate in the Prophetic Communities conference. As someone who constantly teeters on the edge of leaving the Church, due to the gap between who I understand the person of Jesus to be and the actions, policies, and teachings of the Church, I found myself in a state of desolation before the conference. Through the courageous generosity of the speakers, participants, and community, the time in San Francisco was healing. Being reminded that there is a community of people struggling to disrupt dominant narratives, provide communities with the skills and capacity to create social change, and courageously share from their struggle was what I needed to persist. This was Church, the Church I desire to be a part of, and the Church we at IPJC desire to build with this community.

In our work, stories are at the foundation. We were inspired by these courageous stories and moments this year: Y Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment (NWCRI), brought the stories of directly impacted communities to the boardrooms of 42 corporations, through 32 shareholder resolutions, and participation in over 50 dialogues.

Y

The Youth Action Team Interns (YATIs) boldly shared their experiences of ableism and racism publicly, inviting leadership at their schools to make changes towards equity and inclusion.

Y

The Justice for Women community gathered to support one another in their individual and communal challenges with mental health.

All of these acts of extraordinary courage are made possible through the generous support of this community.

We invite you to participate in our collective story through helping us reach our fall fundraising goal of $60,000 by: Y

Contributing to the Annual Appeal with a one-time gift, a recurring pledge or a tax-free donation from your IRA.

Y

Participating in and promoting our programs, events, and publications.

Y

Designating IPJC as your charity for employer matching.

Y

Naming IPJC as a beneficiary of your estate in your estate plan.

Y

Praying for our ministry and the building of a more just world.

Thank you for joining us as we “deepen our ability to sit with the pain of others.”

In solidarity and gratitude,

Will Rutt Executive Director

Cover photo from Ignite (see pg. 10) Student with Kelsey Harrington, Director, Agape Service Project. All photos ©IPJC unless noted 2

INTERCOMMUNITY PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER

THIS YEAR WE… PUBLISHED COURAGEOUS AUTHORS

This year we welcomed a new editor to AMOS, Emily Sanna. Emily brings deep and powerful experience working as a writer and editor for several years and currently serves as the managing editor of U.S. Catholic magazine.

When she was hired, she shared her excitement to edit AMOS due to its focus on story, grounding in the work of the center, and the connection to the Northwest!

Emily Sanna, Editor Upholding our 32-year-long tradition of educating the community on a variety of issues, we published four new editions of A Matter of Spirit (AMOS)! The Fall 2022 edition of AMOS encouraged our readers to be courageous in their understanding and practices of justice. Focused on Restorative Justice, authors shared their experiences of working within the prison system and the power of engaging in restorative justice practices as a means of holistically healing harms from individual unjust acts and systemic injustices. Restorative justice practices are humanizing and dare to go beyond the traditional language and understanding of victim and offender, forcing us to confront unjust systems that influence difficult decision-making that causes harm to an individual, their family, and/or the community.

Winter in the Pacific Northwest often marks the end of months of preparation, growing, and harvesting agriculture. As the agricultural season ended for the year, it was important to consider the realities of farmworkers, food scarcity, and how food is communal in nature. The Winter 2023 edition of AMOS focused on Just Food, sharing the courageous stories of leaders who strive to ensure vulnerable communities, specifically those communities that harvest food, have access to nourishing

AMOS BY THE NUMBERS:

17,000 Physical Print– distributed 15,278 downloads

Images from AMOS covers (L to R): Singing Tree mural co-designed with AIMS HS students; Adapted OpenStreetMap and Adobe Express photo; Food Justice-AGAPE Service Project’s food bank ©Katie Kolbrick Photograpy; Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez at the United Farm Workers founding convention. Photo © Bob Fitch.

and culturally appropriate food. The authors reminded us that Jesus’ ministry often occurred around a table and of the nostalgia and empowerment of cultural dishes that reconnect us to our identities and communities.

The third edition of AMOS released in Spring 2023 on the issue of Sacred Salmon, examined the alarming ecological crisis focused on the endangered state of the PNW keystone creature. We learned from an Indigenous leader about the kinship that the Lummi People and all Indigenous communities share with all of Creation and how their existence is wrapped up in the health and well-being of salmon, orcas, rivers, and mountains.

Wrestling with the science behind this crisis and considering how our Church leadership and theological tradition calls us to action, writers were invited to support legislation to remove the four lower Snake River dams as a pathway towards environmental justice.

The final issue of the year, released during Summer 2023, focused on Community Organizing. This issue was particularly special as it almost exclusively featured participants and speakers who gathered for the Prophetic Communities (see pg.14) gathering.

Authors explored the connections between synodality, Catholic Social Teaching, and community organizing, as well as the historical foundations and connections between the Catholic Church and organizing. In addition, we learned about the community organizing process and heard stories from various communities about how community organizing has impacted their life, work, and faith.

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THIS YEAR WE… HAD COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS In September, Justice Rising podcast season three began with a new podcast host, Cecilia Flores. We were honored to welcome Cecilia knowing she brought the wisdom of a seasoned community organizer, the empathy necessary to provide a brave space for guests to share their stories, and the vivaciousness to engage listeners! When Cecilia is not interviewing guests for Justice Rising, she works as a community organizer for Sacramento ACT, “a powerful multi-racial, multi-faith organization advocating a transformation of our community rooted in our shared faith values.” She also serves as the chair of the Young Adult Multicultural Advisory Committee to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and is a consultant to the USCCB’s Committee on Cultural Diversity.

Through her community organizing and work in the church Cecilia understands the signs of the times. Her witness to injustices and commitment to just action helped her to shape the themes and content of the seasons of Justice Rising produced this year. Each courageous conversation invited listeners to reflect on their understanding of the Cecilia Flores, Host/Producer intersection of faith, culture, and justice, as well as consider innovative ways to become justice practitioners.

Because community organizers do not act for justice without encounter, building intentional and trusting relationships with impacted communities, and a profound commitment to honoring the lived experience of affected peoples, Cecilia was inspired to interview leaders from diverse communities about their understanding of faith, culture, and justice. Season three represented voices from the Black, Latinx, Filipino, and Hawaiian communities.

From these courageous conversations we learned that community is the core of our human nature and is also a continual daily practice that requires openness, dedication to learning, acknowledgment, ritual, and joy.

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Guests of Season 3–4 podcast (L to R pgs. 4-5): Giselle Cárcamo; Kirby Hoberg; Dallas Carter; Jessica Valdez; Youth Action Team Interns: Alex Ruelos, Sydney Leardi, Sarah Pericich-Lopez (IPJC staff), Pavithra Harsha; (bottom row) Lauralyn Solano; Rudy Dehaney; Ogechi …

Akalegbere; Ana Garcia-Ashley; Sr. Cheryl Liske. (Photos with guests’permission, Rudy Dehaney©Lifetouch Portraits; Ogechi Akalegber©Andrew Biraj)

In season four, Cecilia invited courageous community organizers to share their journeys of faith, specific gifts for organizing, and the communities they work with.

Eight community organizers from diverse movements challenged listeners to commit to action in their local communities by practicing different organizing skills.

Season four guest, Ogechi Akalegbere, a community organizer from Action in Montgomery, shared the impact of being interviewed for Justice Rising as confirming her commitment to the vocation, “[Being interviewed] was empowering to reflect and share what brought me to community organizing and how I have grown as a leader because of it. When you spend years involved in something it strengthens your passion when you reflect and articulate your ‘why.’”

JUSTICE RISING BY THE NUMBERS:

14 guests interviewed during this year 1,537 downloads!

[BEING INTERVIEWED] WAS EMPOWERING TO REFLECT AND SHARE WHAT BROUGHT ME TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND HOW I HAVE GROWN AS A LEADER BECAUSE OF IT. WHEN YOU SPEND YEARS INVOLVED IN SOMETHING IT STRENGTHENS YOUR PASSION WHEN YOU REFLECT AND ARTICULATE YOUR ‘WHY.’” — Ogechi Akalegbere Justice Rising Episode 22, The Power of Meaningful Encounters

A Spirited Special Guest:

Cecilia had the opportunity to host Justice Rising’s first live audience interview with special guest, Austen Ivereigh, during the Prophetic Communities conference (See page 14 for more information about Prophetic Communities.) Listeners were able to hear Austen Ivereigh, who is Pope Francis’ biographer, give a strong keynote address about Catholic Social Teaching, community organizing, and synodality.

Community organizers and justice practitioners attending the conference were delighted to hear about the interconnectedness of synodality, which means journeying together through encounter, deep listening, and community organizing. As Pope Francis has challenged the church to become synodal, many present at the conference felt affirmed and acknowledged in their vocation. In the second half of the podcast recording, listeners hear Cecilia courageously challenge some of Austen’s ideas that we begin with synodality and then move to organizing. Cecilia invited Ivereigh to imagine how synodality and organizing occur concurrently!

Austen Ivereigh Let Us Dream written by Pope Francis in collaboration with Austen

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YATI PROGRAM GROWTH

THIS YEAR WE… ACCOMPANIED COURAGEOUS YOUTH This year we embarked on our second year of the Youth Action Team Internship (YATI). We began with ten students; three from Seattle Preparatory School and seven from Holy Names Academy. Due to the feedback and insights offered by our year one interns, Erin Monda and Mallika Bubb, we adapted the program to reflect the needs and desires of the students.

In early September, we welcomed the interns into the program with a day-long weekend retreat. Community partners from the Filipino community opened the day with worship. Then an enneagram practitioner, Baird Linke, led the interns in a workshop focused on helping them better understand their unique number and how to work collaboratively as a team that honors the gifts of each member.

Sarah Pericich-Lopez and Will Rutt, the co-facilitators of YATI, guided the interns through a norm building exercise that set the expectations and practices for the remainder of the year. The day concluded with a leadership and collective art project led by social worker, Cathy Pearson.

The first semester of the internship utilized skills-based learning workshops led by community organizers and justice practitioners to identify the unique gifts of each student and help them to develop those gifts for

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2 applicants 2 interns

2021-22 2022-23

10 interns

2023-24 0

21 applicants 34 applicants

14 interns 5

10

15

20

25

30

35

social change. In their year-end review, the students acknowledged three leaders and workshops as having deeply impacted their lives. Marcos Gonzales, a diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner and IPJC board member, introduced the theme of identity and reflected with the interns on what parts of their identity held privilege or made them feel empowered. Interestingly, the interns appreciated this workshop in particular because of Marcos’ ability to ask them for live feedback, adapt to their needs, and teach social-emotional regulation skills. They also loved a communication skills workshop from Meg Arguelles, a Catholic high school theology teacher and director of Campus Ministry from Vallejo, CA. Meg articulated the value of assuming good intent of your communication partner, gracefully navigating conflict, and coping with social anxiety during a conversation. One student shared, “Meg really understood us and the challenges we, as youth, face during interactions after Covid-19. She Pavithra Harsha meeting with Jordan Faralan from Anakbayan (Filipino Coalition), to practice the skills of 1:1 relational meetings.

YATI BY NUMBERS:

17 community leaders participating in workshops and intern development

Completion of over

90

one-to-ones

217

signatures supporting their demands and solutions from educators, family, and fellow students

75+

in attendance of At the Table: Conversations with Catholic Students

2022-23 YATI Interns (L to R): Sydney Leardi, Senior-Seattle Preparatory/Boston College; Pavithra Harsha, Senior-Holy Names Academy/University of Southern California; Maddie Ando, Senior-Seattle Preparatory/ Fordham University; Alex Ruelos, Senior-Seattle Preparatory/Santa Clara University.

was so relatable and a role model.” A favorite workshop for both the facilitators and the interns, was given by Jay Julius, co-president of Se’Si’Le, fisherman, and Lummi Tribal member. Jay shared his wisdom on evoking empathy through storytelling and created space for each intern to share a story about an experience of injustice related to their identities. The storytelling workshop was fundamental to the cohort’s bonding, trust-building, and willingness to take risks together later in the year.

There were two moments of collaboration and empowerment during the year. The first occurred in the fall when nine community organizers from Seattle came together to participate in an evening of one-to-one “speed dating” with the interns. One-to-ones are a relational tool which help organizers to assess the values, interests, and concerns of an individual or community. Pastor Joe Kim, of Bothell United Methodist Church, began the event by teaching the students how to host a one-to-one. He emphasized the importance of each intern developing their own listening style. Once he completed the lesson, the students hosted one-to-ones for the local community organizers. Each intern had the opportunity to lead three one-to-ones and receive feedback from skilled professionals. Interns were able to actively adapt and safely practice new skills throughout the evening. One of the community organizers present affirmed the interns, “Wow, you are all so impressive. I am just blown away by your listening skills and the questions you asked. This was an amazingly powerful evening for me.” Another organizer added, “You helped me to think critically about myself and my life. You showed me the ways I can be proud of myself,

the things I value, and some of the ways I am not living up to my values.” This event propelled the students into their listening campaign where they collectively held 90 one-to-ones over the course of three weeks with diverse members of the community!

After completing their listening campaign, the interns reflected on their own social justice interests and the concerns of the community and determined that they wanted to build a movement to address ableism and racism in their schools. The interns identified the first step in building their movement was to have a public narrative event. At the Table: Conversations with Catholic Students occurred on March 22nd at St. James Cathedral Hall. Four interns, with the support of their peers, courageously stepped into their power to share their experiences of ableism and racism at school, with Catholic school administrators, faculty, parents, students, and members of the broader community. At the end of the event, the interns presented a list of demands and solutions to all the Catholic schools in Seattle. The event was special and showed the power of collaboration and relationship.

One intern noted, “I really did not think we would be successful. I thought no one would come to our event and no one would care about our stories. We pushed forward and at the end of the event, I was truly proud when all of the guests gave us a standing ovation. You could tell it was genuine. I looked at my peers and we were all glowing. We accomplished something together that required vulnerability. It was meaningful to me when my friends came up to me at the end and I could tell for the first time they saw me.”

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Gabby Hipilito, Junior, Holy Names Academy, connecting Catholic Social Thought to dismatling ableism and racism in education systems. (At the Table)

As a result of their Break the Norm Campaign, the students were able to work with leaders from their individual schools leading to one school hiring a director of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. This director works in close relationship with our students and the school’s Multicultural Student Union to better meet the needs of the students. In addition, many schools have begun the process of evaluating the mental health needs of the students and offering accessibility resources such as orientation pamphlets that outline accessibility resources for students.

I LOOKED AT MY PEERS AND WE WERE ALL GLOWING. WE ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING TOGETHER THAT REQUIRED VULNERABILITY. IT WAS MEANINGFUL TO ME WHEN MY FRIENDS CAME UP TO ME AT THE END AND I COULD TELL FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY SAW ME.”

A Courageous Leader Emerges

Holy Names Academy graduate and Youth Action Team Intern, Erin Monda, became the first recipient of IPJC’s St. Thérèse of Lisieux Young Activist Award. St. Therese lived a life committed to loving God and loving neighbor.

Throughout her two years as a Youth Action Team Intern, Erin displayed maturity, a vast understanding of systemic issues, a commitment to a lifetime of social activism, and what is possible when you empower those around you!

It was an honor for Sarah Pericich-Lopez and Will Rutt, to present the award to Erin at the 2023 Spring Benefit ahead of her graduation from high school and completion of YATI.

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Erin Monda, Senior-Holy Names Academy/Western Washington University

THIS YEAR WE… ACCOMPANIED COURAGEOUS YOUTH From April 13th to the 15th, members of Jesuits West Collaborative Organizing for Racial Equity (CORE) hosted the first annual NW Ignatian Advocacy Summit at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. The summit gathered students from Jesuit high schools and colleges, along with Jesuit parishioners and social justice leaders for a gathering centered on ecological justice. During the summit, students and parishioners had the opportunity to attend workshops led by social justice practitioners and community organizers to develop their skills for community organizing and advocacy. Participants were able to put their newfound skills into practice by participating in legislative meetings calling representatives to remove the lower Snake River dams, a campaign started by Salmon Peoples, and to stop the proposal to expand the Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) natural gas pipeline.

NW IGNATIAN ADVOCACY SUMMIT BY THE NUMBERS:

60 total participants.

5 high schools and universities, 3 parishes, and 6 organizations represented.

15workshops given in two days.

7 legislative meetings hosted by youth!

In three inspiring moments, the summit displayed the courage of youth and Jesuit leaders. When legislators failed to attend their scheduled virtual advocacy meeting with students, the students persevered. Stepping into their power, they collaborated, discerned, NW Ignatian Advocacy Summit participants and leaders. Photo © Jesuits West and developed a strategic plan to make their panel, IPJC’s Judy Byron, OP, vulnerably shared her love of concerns known to government officials. teaching and her belief in young peoples’ capacity to heal They collectively mobilized and went directly to Spokane this world. Students reflected on how meaningful it was to City Hall to engage Washington State leaders. Eventually, hear an adult affirm their gifts and pursuits! the legislator’s office followed through, and the students were able to have a lively, positive, and encouraging meeting with several staffers. Adult participants and leaders On the final day of the summit, folks gathered in Gonzaga’s College Hall Chapel for mass. In the spirit of ecological of the Summit were left in awe of their tenacity and unwilljustice, groups were invited to bring water from their local ingness to be ignored! waterways to mass. These waters were joined together, and a water blessing was performed by Fr. Peter Byrne, Later that evening, participants continued to be amazed by SJ. In the blessing we were reminded of our kinship and the courage of the younger generation. In a two-part panel, call to be courageous for the protection of all Creation. we heard from both young folks and adults about their Then, Fr. Byrne encouraged the People of God to take a vocation and how it has been impacted by a commitment moment to leave the traditional liturgical space and spend to faith and justice. On the student panel, we heard about time in prayer with nature. It was emotional for particthe injustices students witnessed in their communities, ipants to realize that sometimes courage does not mean their devotion to vocations of service and systemic change, making demands or resisting, but to simply be present and their vision for a future without suffering caused from to ourselves and in solidarity with others. IPJC is excited injustice. In the second part of the panel, students were to continue supporting this effort next year at Seattle able to listen to individuals whose vocation led to a lifetime University from February 22–24, 2024! of working towards dismantling injustice. During the ANNUAL REPORT | APPEAL FOR SUPPORT

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THIS YEAR WE… ACCOMPANIED COURAGEOUS YOUTH Living out our commitment to develop the next generation of community organizers, we partnered with Agape Service Project and Catholic Community Service of Western Washington to host a week-long immersive faith-based community organizing experience called Ignite. Ignite began as an online project created by Jesuit service directors from the Western Province during the pandemic. They dreamed that it would one day become an in-person experience for students and their educators.

This year, we were able to make that dream a reality!

From July 23rd to the 28th, 15 students from Portland and Los Angeles journeyed to Whatcom County to work in solidarity and collaboration with the farmworker community, while concurrently participating in community organizing workshops. Informed by the curriculum of the YATI, Ignite began with workshops aimed at providing context for the farmworker reality, creating norms, and working to understand one’s identity in relationship to the collective. José Ortiz, founder of the Youth Migrant Project, vulnerably shared his experience as a farmworker and community organizer. José articulated that farm working is dignified and skilled labor and that employers and corporations treat farmworkers oppressively. In the process of building norms and assessing identity we began to form intentional community. We were overjoyed when at the end of day one, when a student professed, “Even while we are different, we are all more similar than I thought.”

On day two, Kelsey Harrington, Rosa Figueroa, Kateri Rinallo, and Lizveth Delgado-Olvera of the Agape Service Project accompanied the students and their chaperones to local farms for their first day of service immersion. In the spiritual reflections at the end of day, one student acknowledged the purpose and peace he found in working on the farm helping him reframe farm work as skilled labor.

In the evening of day two, we welcomed Jay Julius to offer a workshop on storytelling. Circled around a campfire, Jay shared the wisdom of his experience and his people calling us to remember our interconnectedness. After Jay’s offering of self, the students broke into groups to share their own stories. We heard stories of the pain of toxic masculinity for young men, the fears of police brutality due to racism, the experiences of objectification as women, and concerns around mental health. We held space for one another and dreamed of a liberated future.

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THESE STUDENTS ARRIVED READY — NOT JUST READY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WEEK BUT READY AND WILLING TO TAKE IT HOME. IT WAS EVIDENT THAT MANY OF THE STUDENTS ARE ALREADY ACTIVE IN SIMILAR WORK AT HOME AND WANT TO GROW AS COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS AND AGENTS OF JUSTICE. IT GIVES ME HOPE THAT THE WEEK THEY SPENT WITH IGNITE WON’T JUST BE A WEEK OF GOOD, BUT WILL IN FACT BE A SPARK OR FAN TO THEIR FLAME.” — KELSEY HARRINGTON Director, Agape Service Project To begin day three, Sarah Pericich-Lopez shared about the centrality of listening in community organizing and invited the students to practice the skill of one-to-ones with one another.

Sarah was delighted in her debrief with the students when one student pointed to his activity triad and said, “We have so much in common, this is my guy [as in friend] and with our shared experiences we have power!” In the afternoon the group prepared food bank supplies. During a dinner conversation, a student shared her own ignorance about the needs of impacted communities. Witnessing how many supplies had to be prepared for one week at the food bank inspired her to consider her own privilege and vocation offer this reflection, “maybe I could be using my own privilege in better ways when I return to Portland, especially around homelessness.”

Day four was emotional and powerful. Staff from Agape, IPJC, and the students came together to run the Agape Food Bank. Farmworkers from Whatcom County and their families processed into the food bank throughout the day, trusting us with their stories, community, and needs. Agape works hard to model the importance of encounter and as we reflected in the evening on instances when the students engaged with families at migrant camps and at the food bank, it was clear that the mutual sharing of self through encounter has a transformative impact. Gathered on the Assumption

Photos pgs. 10-11: Ignite activities

Church lawn, Ignite participants laughed and cried as they shared stories of meaningful encounters. Joy beamed from students as they shared about the migrant children who had welcomed them into the community, who had played with them, and challenged them to consider a world in which safety and stability was not guaranteed. Participants left in awe of and with profound respect for the courage, expertise, and power of the farmworker community.

The final day of Ignite moved the students from encounter and relationship building to action. In the morning heard from, José Ortiz, Rosalinda Guillen, executive director of Community 2 Community, and Maya Cruz, a community organizer with the United Farmworker Movement, about their careers oriented towards justice and provided insight for the students on how to strategically build movements in solidarity with the farmworkers. After the panel, the schools and parishes represented developed a 30, 60, 90-day plan for building social justice movements in their communities.

Just Video Contest

We invited high school students from across the country to submit self-directed videos about social justice issues that they care about in their community. Eight students submitted videos focused on topics including homelessness, mental health, environmental justice, social media, human trafficking and racism. The winning video titled Affected Affection by Olathe South High School student, Austen Allen, explored the harm of racism and envisioned a world free from hate through the art of song. We are grateful to all those that submitted videos this year, thank you for your commitment to justice!

*Important Note: Although Ignite took place at the very beginning of our current fiscal year, most of the planning took place during the year that this report covers. We were so excited about it that we couldn’t wait a whole year to share this work!

IGNITE BY THE NUMBERS:

15

students and chaperones

5 adult

3

Schools (Jesuit High School Portland, Verbum Dei Jesuit High School, LA, Loyola High School, LA)

1

and parish (Dolores Mission Church, LA) represented.

3organizations collaborating 4diverse community leaders facilitating workshops.

Over 350 families served through the food bank.

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THIS YEAR WE...

WITNESSED COURAGEOUS LATINA LEADERSHIP Throughout the past year IPJC has focused on deepening our commitment, support, and investment in the Women’s Justice Circle community. This choice is guided by our desire to continue accompanying, training, and connecting Latinas across the state of Washington as they work for systemic change in their communities.

Planting and Tending Seeds of Courage

On September 17th, 50 powerful Latina leaders from 30 cities across the states of Washington and Oregon gathered in Tacoma. Semillas de Cambio (Seeds of Change), was conceived to celebrate and honor the contributions of former Justice Circle facilitators and active Circle members. The gathering provided an opportunity to

THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE. I FEEL THAT NOW WE HAVE A COMMON LANGUAGE AND A SISTERHOOD THAT UNITES US.” — Semillas de Cambio attendee

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INTERCOMMUNITY PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER

participate in conversations around mental health, a topic identified by community members as urgent through a survey distributed prior to the event. Survey respondents mentioned the lack of access to: health insurance, financial resources to afford therapy, culturally appropriate services, and skilled professionals who speak Spanish.

Many survey participants also named the struggle to seek out mental health care due to the myths, stigma, and shame related to mental health. The day concluded with an emotional workshop focused on the intergenerational trauma of colonization, racism, and patriarchy. Many participants shared that during the gathering they experienced a call to become seeds of change and germinate in the community.

Courageous Circles

On January 22nd at St. Michael’s Church in Lake Stevens, WA a courageous group of women identified mental health stigma as an overwhelming challenge in their community. The Circle sought to create a space for the community to learn and share their concerns about depression. Led by a Spanish speaking mental health professional the community was educated on their diverse concerns. Attendees listened to two moving testimonials and learned about depression symptoms and treatment.

Participants of the forum showed great interest in the topic and expressed desire to join support groups for people who have family members experiencing mental illness.

Semillas de Cambio participants celebrate the creation of the Facilitator Network

In Federal Way, WA a Circle of women gathered that were particularly concerned and impacted by the mental health crisis and suicide epidemic among adolescents.

The Circle organized a Mental Health Forum at a local school to speak about this important topic. Two of the Circle members invited their daughters to give public testimonials and a mental health specialist was invited to explain the importance of suicidal prevention and intervention.

In Centralia, WA, a Circle of immigrant mothers organized a series of Spanish workshops to raise educational awareness on key community issues that affect Latinos. Workshops took place at Villa Los Milagros, an affordable housing apartment community operated by Catholic Community Services Western Washington. Topics included: financial literacy, taxes, investments, and loans; mental health awareness; violence prevention in schools; running start enrollment for high schoolers and civic engagement; and several others. The group chose a name for themselves La voz Latina por una causa (The Latina Voice for a Cause) since participants understand themselves as a united front. Fernanda and Gabriala, two Circle participants shared, “I love that we are part of a united group where all support each other” and “I feel useful. It makes me happy to learn and organize workshops that will benefit our community.”

A Courageous Community of Mothers

A Circle of Latina mothers in Auburn, WA whose children attend schools in the Auburn School District met diligently every Tuesday evening at their local library.

They were concerned about the mental health of their children and were unsure of the ways that the schools were addressing this need and not feeling integrated into school communication and meetings due to language barriers in school communications. At one of their meetings, a Circle participant asked, “How about we ask them to create a Facebook or WhatsApp chat?” Another replied, “I don´t think this [use of apps] is allowed in schools.” A third chimed in, “At Mt. Baker Middle School [another school in the district] the principal has a chat for parents where we stay informed.” When the families learned that a principal in the district was already offering this solution to English speaking parents, they reached out to the Family Engagement Specialists, encouraging them to make this same support structure available to Spanish speaking parents.

Two representatives of the Circle attended and presented at the Auburn School District offices to the Family Engagement Team meeting hosted by Isaiah Johnson, director of equity, family engagement, and outreach.

I FEEL USEFUL. IT MAKES ME HAPPY TO LEARN AND ORGANIZE WORKSHOPS THAT WILL BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY.” — Auburn Circle member

Circle members attending the Family Engagement Team meeting

During the meeting, Yesenia Saenz, the Circle facilitator, shared the Circle´s concerns and their proposal for creating a chat group in Spanish for Latinx parents where they could ask questions, and, in turn, receive information about what the schools are offering to address the emotional well-being of their students. The administration committed to exploring this solution and other strategies to engage and include Latinx families and the Circle was invited to another meeting scheduled at the beginning of the 2023-2024 year to give feedback on the implementation of their idea!

A Courageous Project

In July 2022, the Aberdeen Women´s Justice Circle was awarded a $30,000 grant to engage in outreach to directly impacted communities and reach as many immigrants as possible to invite them to apply for the latest round of payments distributed from the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund. Circle members received training in outreach planning and application assistance and conducted outreach in their community. During an eight-week process, they hosted a total of 24 in-person events to build trust, distribute information about the fund, and guide residents of Grays Harbor, Mason, Clallam, Jefferson, Lewis, and Cowlitz counties through the application process. For this upcoming fiscal year, the Circle won a 3-year $225,000 grant to continue their work focused on mental health. IPJC is honored and grateful to serve as the fiscal sponsor of this project!

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THIS YEAR WE… COURAGEOUSLY COLLABORATED Courageously Advocated for Immigration Reform

In September of 2022, IPJC and other Catholic community partners gathered allies and members of the immigrant community for a day of learning, listening, and acting.

The day began with a powerful sharing from Bishop Elizondo about the connection between Catholic Social Teaching and immigration, sharing from many of his own experiences walking with the migrant community and his family’s own immigration story. In the morning and afternoon folks were able to choose from six different workshops sharing stories from the directly impacted community, IPJC’s Women’s Justice Circles program, migrant legal challenges, advocacy actions and issues, refugee sponsorship, and addressing mental health needs in the immigrant community. All these workshops provided participants with the opportunity to understand the needs of the immigrant community and begin to strategize how to take action for change.

IMMIGRATION SUMMIT BY THE NUMBERS:

70+ folks in attendance 138 letters sent to congressional legislators outlining the Catholic community’s immigration priorities

(L to R) At the summit: José Ortiz, Bishop Elizondo, Chris Koehler

The day ended with a town hall with Congressional Representative Adam Smith. Members of the community shared courageously about their experiences of forced migration, challenges of the undocumented community, and opportunities to welcome folks migrating to Seattle.

A highlight of the town hall was when Aneelah Afzali, executive director of the Muslim Association of the Pugent Sound, thanked Rep. Adam Smith for his support of the Afghan Readjustment Act and then challenged him to expand his support for temporary protected status for several immigrant communities.

14

INTERCOMMUNITY PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER

Courageously Gathered a Prophetic Community

In February 2023, community organizers, theologians, and social justice practitioners from all over the United States traveled to the University of San Francisco for a three-day conference called Prophetic Communities: Organizing as an Expression of Catholic Social Thought. The gathering offered space for relationship building, synodality, and developing resources that would better express the intersections of Catholic Social Thought and community organizing.

Central to the experience was the opportunity to build relationships with individuals who share similar vocational calls and visions for the Church. A community organizer noted the relief of being in a space with like-minded individuals sharing, “This conference allowed me a place to exist that felt like home, I was not constantly having to explain myself, the reason I remain Catholic, or my hopes for the church.”

This sense of healing, solidarity, and contentment created energy and excitement throughout the conference.

Guests witnessed four plenaries composed of organizers and theologians. The first plenary titled, “Why Organizing?” invited us to consider how community organizing empowers us to create a more just world and communities of belonging and prophetic action within the Catholic Church. On day two, Austen Ivereigh and Cecilia Flores dialogued about the connections and points of divergence between community organizing and synodality.

That evening, Lorena Melgarejo, the director of Faith in Action Bay Area, Jeremy V. Cruz, associate professor of theology at St. John’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Timothy McManus, senior organizer at the Industrial Areas Foundation, sat on the “Organizing and Theology” plenary. They called us to consider ways to better integrate community organizing and theology by placing an emphasis on both fields’ commitment to Catholic Social Thought (CST) and highlighted that theology needs to reflect the lived experience of the faithful which community organizing is well suited to achieve.

Prophetic Communities promoted opportunities for leadership and faith development through workshops, synodal sessions, and mass. Workshops on ministerial formation, teaching community organizing through CST, labor organizing, Laudato Si’ as an organizing platform,

Courageously Caring for Creation PROPHETIC COMMUNITIES BY THE NUMBERS:

3 14 members on the planning committee.

19 guest speakers! 5workshops 3-part Synodal process 150 community organizers, theologians, and justice practitioners in attendance and

collaborating organizations: Jesuits West, University of San Francisco, and IPJC!

more than 90 on zoom!

Final plenary panelists (L-R pgs. 14-15): Mary Novak, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Joe Rubio, National Co-Director of the Industrials Area Foundation, and moderator Ralph McCloud, Director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, reflecting on the Prophetic Communities gathering.

and nonviolent strategy allowed participants to grow and cultivate their skills. Maureen O’Connell, chair of the Department of Religion at La Salle University and director of synod and higher education engagement for Discerning Deacons, and Joe Fleming, senior advisor for faith leadership strategies at Faith in Action, guided the community through a two-day synodal discernment process. On the first day, individuals were invited to attend synodal conversations based upon their primary community and context utilizing the traditional spiritual encounter format. On day two, leaders from the smaller gatherings brought large sticky notes reports to the shared gathering space. In quiet discernment, individuals used colored stickers to mark topics that resonated with their experience. In the final phase of the synodal process, a large group discussion occurred, which empowered participants to dream together about a Church that truly represents the People of God.

A Courageous Collaborative

Emerging from the synodal process it was clear that the individuals in attendance desired to continue in community together, to develop resources and strategies for growing CST and community organizing connection and practice.

And so, the Collaborative for Catholic Organizing was founded. The collaborative gathers regularly and is committed to facilitate deeper relationships, professional development, and capacity building. IPJC, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, and Jesuits West will serve as the coordinating institutions for the collaborative!

Over the last seven years, IPJC has offered technical support and leadership to the Creation Care Network (CCN), a coalition of Western Washington Catholic parishes, organizations, and individuals committed to environmental justice. During the Season of Creation, we partnered with the Laudato Si’ Movement and the Congregation of St. Joseph of Peace (CSJP), to learn about divestment and celebrate the example that the CSJPs have offered through their recent 100% divestment from fossil fuels! After the virtual gathering, we gathered signatures to support a community letter to Archbishop Etienne encouraging him to consider divesting the $84 million Archdiocesan investment fund from fossil fuels.

Archbishop Etienne offered a respectful response and committed to further exploration of the possibility.

On Earth Day, CCN hosted its annual summit titled, “Turning the Tide on Ecology” which focused on how our Catholic faith is calling us to respond to the salmon crisis in the Columbia River shed. David Montgomery, a University of Washington biologist and author, and Amy Gullick, a prominent nature photographer and author, shared the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the bleak outlook for its preservation. Throughout the time together, Anna Johnson, the North American senior programs manager for the Laudato Si’ Movement and Annie Nieto Bailey, engagement manager for Catholic Relief Services, led the community through a synodal process as we prayerfully considered how the Spirit is calling our community to care for Creation.

Final “Taking Action” session panelists (L to R) Mangesh Pol, Youth Coordinator for MAHER NGO, Jay Julius, former Lummi Tribe chairman and fisherman, and moderator Jeff Renner, former King-5 meteorologist, exploring pathways for action for environmental justice.

CREATION CARE NETWORK BY THE NUMBERS:

110 Earth Day Summit participants 100 individual signatures and 7 institutional endorsements – Archdiocese of Seattle Divesment Letter

154 Divestment 101 Webinar Participants

190 letters supporting lower Snake River dam removal sent to legislators ANNUAL REPORT | APPEAL FOR SUPPORT

15

THIS YEAR WE....

COURAGEOUSLY LISTENED AND DREAMT In collaboration with Discerning Deacons, local parishes, and organizations, we co-sponsored a synodal gathering called Receive Her in the Lord: Reimagining Women’s Participation in a Synodal Church. On the morning of May 6th, nearly 200 guests walked into St. James Cathedral Hall eager to witness an event in which women were the primary facilitators and to discuss their dreams for a Church that truly values the voices of those on the peripheries.

Annie Nieto Bailey, engagement manager for Catholic Relief Services, and Erica Cohen-Moore, executive director for the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, graciously welcomed guests and introduced the women offering the opening prayer. One by one women from diverse backgrounds stood at the podium and prayed over the event while sharing their vision for a Church that honors the baptismal dignity of women. Anna Robertson, of Discerning Deacons, then broadened attendees' understanding of the Global Synod by providing insights into the different phases of the Synod and where we are headed as a Church in the upcoming year. After Anna’s presentation and reading of the Document for the Continental Stage

by Catholic community leaders, the People of God spent time in deep listening and intentional encounter through a synodal listening session. The optimism and hope in the

16

INTERCOMMUNITY PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER

RECEIVE HER IN THE LORD BY THE NUMBERS:

171 in attendance, at least 45 parishes, organizations and religious orders Laypeople made up 96% of those in attendance.

10 leaders on the planning team, representing 7parishes and organizations.

Sponsored by 10 Catholic parishes and organizations. room was palpable as people began to dream and plan for a future Church that is more expansive, dynamic, and inclusive than our current Church. One woman noted, “I’m really excited that this is happening. I’m amazed by the younger women here, who are talented and have passion in their faces.” While many people acknowledged pain and professed lamentations about the historic mistreatment of women in the church, they remained hopeful, “The Synod inspires me as an opening in the life of the Church and the possibility of renewal.” As we courageously spoke and dreamt of the future, the Spirit revealed the need to honor women’s baptismal dignity as equal to men, reimagine women’s leadership in the Church, to reform the culture of the Church that does not use language or images that resonate with women, and reconcile past harms.

Rose Hesselbrook, Chair of the Pastoral Council at St. Therese Parish with Victoria Ries, former Pastoral Life Director at St. Patrick & St. Catherine parishes

THIS YEAR WE...

CELEBRATED EXTRAORDINARY COURAGE On May 18th, we hosted our annual Spring Benefit and because of your extraordinary courage, confidence in our work, and generosity we raised over $130,000! This year’s theme for the Spring Benefit, Extraordinary Courage, was selected by our staff to elevate the main quality we have witnessed in our community in the last year and because it perfectly described our 2023 Thea Bowman Award recipient, Judy Byron, OP. One of the most emotional and impactful moments of the evening was when

the nearly 300 guests stood to honor the incredible life work of Sr. Judy. As a staff we were delighted to award Sr. Judy with the award for her life commitment to empowering youth, education, and justice work.

2023 marked the inaugural year of the St. Thérèse of Lisieux Young Activist Award. Recipients of the St. Thérèse of Lisieux Young Activist Award uphold St. Thérèse’s qualities of love, authenticity, emotional intelligence, tenderness, strength, and selflessness demonstrated through commitment to the betterment of their communities. This year’s award was given to Erin Monda, a senior intern in the Youth Action Team Internship program and graduate of Holy Names Academy.

An Extraordinarily Courageous Ministry

Judy Byron, OP

At the end of June, IPJC said goodbye to Judy Byron, OP after 25 years of tireless, passionate, and impactful ministry. Sr. Judy was a part of congregational leadership when the center was founded in 1991 and a few years later joined the staff to lead and found the Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment. We will dearly miss her quick wit, deep empathy, and love for young people. Sr. Judy, thank you for all that you have given to this community!

STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES

Fall Appeal REVENUE $52,935 (9%)

Sponsoring Communities $209,933 (34%)

Administration

EXPENSE $60,199 (10%)

Capital & Technology $14,964 (2%)

Spring Benefit $130,294 (21%)

Development $73,462 (12%) Programs $467,545 (76%)

Program Revenue $27,010 (5%) General Donations $109,686 (31%)

TOTAL REVENUE $610,858

TOTAL EXPENSES $616,170

INVESTMENTS & ENDOWMENT ACTIVITY

Investments Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $53,213 Unrealized Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35,863 Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $89,076 Investments and Endowment Balance . . . . . . . . $1,263,879 ANNUAL REPORT | APPEAL FOR SUPPORT

17

JULY 2022–JUNE 2023 We are very grateful for each of you who has supported IPJC in the past fiscal year with your financial and in-kind contributions!*

ORGANIZATIONS

Adrian Dominican Sisters, Sponsorship Catherine of Siena Mission Chapter and Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Benedictine Sisters of Cottonwood, Idaho Benedictine Sisters of Lacey Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel Boeing Catholic Community Services of Western Washington Catholic Daughters of America Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Dominican Sisters of Racine Dominican Sisters of San Rafael Black Catholic Advisory Circle Gonzaga University Jesuits West PeaceHealth Racine Dominicans Sinsinawa Dominicans Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph Province Sisters of Providence, Seattle Local Community Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia Sisters of St. Francis of Redwood City Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Sisters of the Holy Family Sisters of the Holy Names Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, U.S.- Ontario Province Sisters of the Holy NamesRose House Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco Sisters of Providence, Seattle Local Community Society of Helpers Society of the Holy Child Jesus Society of the Sacred Heart Sœurs des Saints Noms de Jésus et de Marie, Longueuil, Québec St Joseph Residence St. Aloysius Church, Spokane St. Bridget Church, Seattle St. James Cathedral, Seattle St. Joseph Parish, Seattle St. Luke Parish, Seattle St. Rose Catholic Church, Longview Tacoma Dominicans Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Washington State Catholic Conference

INDIVIDUALS

Faridah Abdullah, CSJP-A Diane & Joe Ahern Maggie Albo Kathy & Guy Alloway Thomas Allsopp Karen Allvin Madeline Ancelard 18

Margaret Andersen & Bob Wolters Anonymous Laura Ash Trudie Atkinson Maureen Augusciak Dee & Patrick Bader Sarah Bailey Lynne & Tony Balk Leslie Barich Mary Fran & Art Barkshire Patrick Barredo Judy Bartels Joy Barton Carol Baum, BVM Robert Baur Linda M. Bavisotto Douglas Baxter Brandon Bayardi Marianne & Jenni Bayardi Mary Lee Becker Betsey Beckman & Charles Bommarito Mary Kay Beeby Joan & Sam Bell Judith Benkert, OP Mary Ellen Bennett, OP Molly & Andy Beresford Joan Bergman Jeanne Berwick Diane Bixler Brigette Blair Jack Blume Terri Bobzien Herinckx Barbara & Gordon Bollinger Sister Sharon Bongiorno, FSPA Pirkko Borland Patricia Boroughs Patty Bowman William Boyd Kay Boyle Chauncey Boyle, SP Monica Bradley Patricia Brancato Mary P. Breiling, SNJM Helen Brennan, SP Monica Brennan Larry and Jeanette Brixius LaVerne B. Brown Mary Brown Christina Brugman Nancy Buergel Mary Burggraff Kerry Burrows Delphine Busch Judy Butler Mary Buttimer, OP Judy Byron, OP Nellie Calacat Pat & Julie Callahan Sharon Callahan Kathleen Callaway, SNJM Amalia Camacho, CSJP Lance Campbell & Toni Woodruff Michael & Michele Carleton Valerie & Gordon Carlton Kathy Cartee Kate Carter Ann Cassin Kate & Bob Chambers Paula Christiansen James & Jan Clancy Elaine Clark Linda & Larry Clark Esther Claros

INTERCOMMUNITY PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER

Kathleen Clausen, OP Sr. Celeste Clavel, OSFP Donna Clifford Stephen & Maureen Cline Kathy Cole Beth Colehour Carol Colleran April Collier Kathy Colombo & Pat Morton Jude Connelly, OSF Fr. Scott Connolly Alex & Elisa Cooper Virginia & Larry Cooper Gerry & Jerry Coupe Dot Courtis Stephen Cox Blanche Crandall Barbara Custer Swails Raymond Daoust Charlotte Davenport, CSJP Jo'Ann De Quattro, SNJM Georgie Marie & Dick Decker Mary & Larry DeForrest Elise DeGooyer Mary Delateur Lisa Dennison Joanna DeSanto Judith Desmarais, SP Maria Desouza Tim Determan Margaret Dimond, CSJP Judy Dirks Mary Ann Dixon, OP Steve Donaldson & Carol Donahue J.L. & Kathy Drouhard Ellen & Paul Duernberger Karin Dufault, SP Denny Duffell & Joan Cole Duffell Mary Duffy, OP Mary Annette Dworshak, SNJM James Eblen Bev Eckstrom Sheila & John Edwards Daniel Eiben Jean Eilers & Robert Byrne Liz Ellmann Kathleen Emry Mary Esteban Mary Estelle James & Maureen Evermann Tom Ewell & Cathy Whitmire Sr. M. Pius Fahlstrom, OSF Robert Fambrini, SJ Catherine & John Farrell Gwen Farry, BVM Linda Faulhaber, CSJ Nancy Faulkner Jo Anne Felton Charmaine Ferraz Margie Ferstl Sharon L Filipcic Trust Brenda Fincher Maggie Finley Michael Fitzpatrick, SJ Colleen & Kevin Flanigan Patrick & Marilyn Fleming Cecilia Flores Deborah Flynn Ann Forbes Larry Fox Bernice Fox Annie Fox Susan Francois, CSJP Sr. Ruth Frank, SSMO

Dan Frei Makiko Fujiwara, SNJM Terri & Joe Gaffney Linda & Elbert Gage Trish Gaine Tom & Chris Gaines Olivia Gallegos Mary Lila Gary & John Amack Caryl Gates Carol & David Gavareski Tom & Anne Gehrig Mary Beth Gemperle Greg Gerarden Catherine Louise Ginther, OSF Anthony & Josephine Gnanarajah Fredda Goldfarb Marcos Gonzales Diane Grabowski Leslie Grace Anita E Gras Bryant Henrietta Griffitts Darel Grothaus Donna & Samuel Grubbs Anne Guadagno Julia Guerrero Gretchen Gundrum, PhD Steve Gustaveson & Michelle Lirette Barb Guzzo & Paul Purcell Bertha Haas Peg Haggerty John Hale Elizabeth Hansen Gina Harrah Barbara Harrington Kelsey Harrington Jen Harris Dennis & Lorraine Hartmann Joseph Harvey Mary Haskins, SNJM Arlene Hatch Linda Haydock, SNJM Marge Healy, PBVM Lorene Heck, OP Marie & Dale Hedden Ann Heikel Don & Carol Henry Bill Heric Maureen Hiam Kelly Hickman Carolyn & John Hickman Pat & Elizabeth Higgins Mary & Mark Hillman Chris Hillman Emily Hitchens Teresa Holt Teak & Del Hoover Elysa Hovard Karen Hoven Audrey Hudgins Charlene Hudon, SP Ramonda & Tony Huff Tom Hulscher Benneth Husted Allison Hutchinson Jennifer Ibach Jude Jackson & Pat Hogan Loretta & Gerard Jancoski Phyllis Jaszkowiak, SNJM Anne Jenkins Marguerite Johnson Doug & Diane Johnson Lorraine Johnson Anna Johnson

Dave & Gerry Jones Mary Kahle Ed & Linda Kaiel Basil & Paulette Kattula Joan L Kehn, OP Jennifer Kelly & Gerry Scully Susan Marie Kenney Patricia & John Kennish Jim Keogh & Jane Nibler-Keogh Wende & James Keyes Katherine A. Kilbourne Judy Killion Kathleen Kirschner Suzanne Klein Stacy & Alan Klibanoff Mary Catherine Kolb Diana & Richard Koob Jane Kortz Kim Kovalik Steve Kramer Mimi Krsak Kathy Krueger Dawna & Jim Lahti Katherine Lake Jason Lamb JP Lambert Gerlinde Lamer Andrea Langeland Louise Lansberry Karyn Laskey Maria Laughlin Luke Lavin Agnes Le, SNJM Suzanne Lee Daniel Lefebvre Bill & Laurita Lehtinen Jean Marie Lehtinen, OP Sheila Lemieux, CSJP Linda Lepeirs & Douglas Slawson Valerie Lesniak John & Susan Lester Joshua Lewis & Mykhanh C. Pham Kathy & Max Lewis Molly Linden Carmel Little, CSJP Rosalie Locati, SP Kristine Lofquist Frances Lombaer, OP Alan Lopez Sherri Lopez Linda Lopez Liang Sharon & Lloyd Lowe Betty Lucas Carol Luster Barb Luxenberg Cecille Lynch Jennifer MacDonald Rev. John C. Madigan Gabriella Maertens Anne Marie Maguire Theresa Mahoney Tom Mailhot & Betty Ngan Mickey Main Mary Mallon-Behrens Maureen Maloney, SNJM Janet Marcisz, SNJM Nancy Mariano Paula Marter Martin Family Foundation Ardine Martinelli Maureen Matthews Karen Matthews Kate & Ralph Maughan Billie Mazzei Judy & James McAteer Joan McBride Brother Michael McCarthy, CFX Angela McCarthy, CSJP

Joseph J McCarthy, O. Carm.

Joanne McClarty Marie McCormick & Adam Niblick Pat McCrann, SNJM Margaret McGonigle Barb McGrath Martha McIver Loretta McIver Pam & Frank McKulka Diane McQuiston Philip Meany Nick & Mary Mele Muriel & Ron Mendonca Gordon Meyer Marcia Milani Pat Millen, OSF Mary Lew Miller Jo-Anne Miller, CSJP Robin Miranda Daniel Monda Sheila & Stan Moon Tess Morales John & Kathy Morefield Sue Moreland Leona Muller Ann Murphy Marguerite Murphy, BVM Mary Pat Murphy, OP Cathy Murray & Vince Herberholt Coralie Muzzy, CSJP Madeline C. Nance Jane Nelson Marilyn Newton Sue Nies Lydia Nikolaisen, SNJM Margaret & Thomas Nolan Nikki Nordstrom Eileen Norris Patricia Novak, OSF Cathy Nugent Donna Lee & William O'Connell Kathleen O'Connor & Heidi Erdmann Marcia O'Dea, RSCJ Deanna O'Donnell Carole Oesterhaus Jim & Young O’Hanlon Pamela Olson Patty Olson Mary O'Reilly Carol Oxenrider Mary Paananen Jessica Palmer Tereasa & Keith Palmer Melissa Parisi & Mike Onzay Katie Parker Margaret Pastro, SP Frances Pavlas Bose Eleanor Peck, OSF Gary & Georgia Pericich Florence Peterschmidt & Eve McClure Brian & Anna Peterson Margaret Petlow Rita Phillips Susan Picht Judy Pigott Terry Podany Karen Pollard, BVM Rosanne Ponzetti Naila Prieto-Duval Kathleen Pruitt, CSJP Barbara Puigh Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos Kathy Quinn Ita Rahilly & Louis Fish Ryan Jordan Rallanka Rosemary & Ray Rankins

*If we have inadvertantly left off your name please let us know.

Katherine Ransel Fr. Mike Raschko Thomas Reichlin John & Maureen Reid Mary Frances Reis, BVM Mary Reitz, SFCC Patricia Repikoff Jane Rickenbaugh Victoria Ries Linda Riggers, SNJM Mina Riggs, OP Kathy Riley Vivian Ripp, SNJM Nicholas Roach Jeanie & Tom Robinson Carolyn Roeber, OP Carmen Rodriguez, RSM Mary Rita Rohde, SNJM Maria Odelia Romero, OP Valerie & Terry Ross Annie Roy Daniel Roy & Ann Cacciari Conchita S. Ruess William Rutt & Elizabeth Bayardi Judy Ryan, SNJM Rev. Michael Ryan Mary & Manford Ryan-Hotchkiss Nancy Salvadalena Paul Sampson Joellen Sbrissa, CSJ Kitty & Roger Schiltz Rose Ann Schlitt, OP Mary & Jim Schmidt Mark Schoen Stephanie & Greg Schuler Demetra & Tim Schwieger Paul & Kathleen Seely Annette Seubert, SP Kathleen Shannon Dorcy & Michael Dorcy Maureen Sheridan Teresa Shields, SNJM Dolores Shortal, OP Pat Siggs Phyllis Silva-Keith, PA Mark & Lara Simmons Floricita Siong Dennis & Pam Sipos Ben & Olivia Skwiercz Suzanne Slankard Mary Slater, SNJM Laura & Tom Slavin Gary Southerton & David Isla Gerald Spatz Sam & Winnie Sperry Phyllis Lee Standefer Gerald Stanley Lee Stanton Lynn Stapp Frank & Rose Steele Foundation Charles Stenken Janie Stevens Candace Stickney Derek Stirewalt Flora Stratton Brenda Stratton Jim Sullivan Dr. Carol Sullivan Charlotte & Earl Sutherland Janice Sutter Sylvia Swanke, RSM Judy & Dennis Sweeney Evelyn Tangalin Mark & Tami Teaford Donna Teevan Laura Tenisci Suzanne Thiel Jim & Jan Thomas

Joseph Thompson Julie Thompson Mary Thorne, CSJP Pat Thrasher Claudia Trujillo Nancyann Turner, OP Jessica Valdez Mary Vandergeest, OSF Marie & Philip Vartanian Susan & Richard Vignos Mary Volk Deanna Rose Von Bargen, RSCJ Julie Wagner George & Rita Waldref Mary Kay Walsh Connie Walsh, OP Jean & Michael Walters Anna Weisner, SNJM Annie Welch Susan Wells, SNJM Arnadene Welton Bean, SNJM Joseph Wenzl & Jennifer Buksh Anne & Joe Wermus Diane S. & Bill Whalen Marge & Bob White Toni Whitfield Kathi & Jim Whittaker Peter & Karen Wickstrand Mary Lou Williams Mary Winter Mary Wiseman Jean Withrow & James Haggerty Steve Wodzanowski & Cindy Ferrell Ann Marie Wood, OP Shirley Wright Joyce & Randy Yates Pat Yearian Georgia Yianakulis, SNJM Roger & Marilyn Yockey, SFO Gail Young James & Patricia Young Nancy Young Polly Young & Dr. Heidi Gemperle Linda Zaugg Sue & John Zempel Lonnie Zinder

IN HONOR OF

Adrian and Tacoma Dominicans Maureen Augusciak Judy Byron OP Alice Crawley Diane Desmarais and Damon Desmarais Lucille Dean, SP Rita Elsberry Sr. Eleanor Gilmore, CSJP Patricia Harvey and Mary Alexander Stacy & Alan Klibanoff Mary Kohli Max & Kathryn Lewis Sr. Sharon Park Sr. Judy Ryan, SNJM Sisters of Providence, Seattle Local Community

IN MEMORY OF

Rev. John J. Dorgan Rose Gallager, SNJM IPJC Beneficiary of Leslie Grace Mary Brennan Kohli E. Gael O’Reilly Sr. Virginia Pearson Mother of Dr. Tiong-Keat Yeoh, M.D. Joan Trunk

ANNUAL REPORT | APPEAL FOR SUPPORT

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Intercommunity

Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center 1216 NE 65th St Seattle, WA 98115-6724

NON-PROFIT ORG. US Postage PAID Seattle, WA Permit No. 4711

Peace & Justice Center

INTERCOMMUNITY PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER

Welcome to IPJC’s Board of Directors!

ESTABLISHED IN 1991

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Maureen Augusciak, Vice Chair Betty Devereux* Brenda Fincher Annie Fox* Margarita Hernandez, SP* John Hickman, Chair Max Lewis, A-CSJP

Pat Millen, OSF,* Secretary-Treasurer Mary Pat Murphy, OP* Kathleen Nolan, OP* Mary Slater, SNJM Jessica Valdez * Also on the Board of Members

BOARD OF MEMBERS

Charlotte Davenport, CSJP, Linda Riggers, SNJM

EDITORIAL BOARD Gretchen Gundrum Vince Herberholt Kelly Hickman Tricia Hoyt

Nick Mele Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos Will Rutt

We welcome Jessica Valdez to IPJC’s board of directors! JVal is a community organizer with the International Coalition for Human Right in the Philippines (ICHRP) and has been a key partner in the Center’s work for peace. We welcome your experience, passion, and energy!

SPONSORING COMMUNITIES

Adrian Dominican Sisters Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Jesuits West Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, US-Ontario Province Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph Province Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia Tacoma Dominicans

AFFILIATE COMMUNITIES

Benedictine Sisters of Cottonwood, Idaho Benedictine Sisters of Lacey Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Dominican Sisters of Racine Dominican Sisters of San Rafael Sinsinawa Dominicans Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sisters of St. Francis of Redwood City Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Society of the Holy Child Jesus Sisters of the Holy Family Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco Society of Helpers Society of the Sacred Heart Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union

206.223.1138 • IPJC@IPJC.ORG • IPJC.ORG

Thank you, Mary Pat Murphy, OP who has stepped away from the board of directors and board of members. We are grateful for your tireless work for justice and gentle spirit.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND SUPPORT.

Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment Annual Report 2023 | NWCRI - A program of the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center

We Still Have A Dream

Over 50 years ago, a small group of faith-based investors dreamed that they could end apartheid in South Africa. In 1971 they filed the first religious shareholder proposal which requested General Motors to stop doing business in South Africa until apartheid was ended. Thus began a multi-year anti-apartheid campaign that resulted in over 200 U.S. companies withdrawing from South Africa, damaging the country’s economy significantly. In the 1994 elections, citizens of all races elected President Nelson Mandela.

Today Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment (NWCRI) members and our colleagues at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), beneficiaries of over 50 years of impactful shareholder advocacy, continue to dream and work to achieve: ❖ An equitable transition to clean energy ❖ Justice for workers, including the right to a living

wage, to organize, and to have a voice in corporate decision-making

❖ Safe communities free from gun violence ❖ Accessible and affordable health care for all ❖ Technology and artificial intelligence used for the

common good of all of Creation

Today we are facing challenging and dire circumstances.

Anti-ESG forces are questioning and attacking our motives and shareholder advocacy work. In addition, the world has experienced the hottest summer on record; the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber Tipline received over 31 million reports regarding child sexual exploitation or online harm to children; and pharma companies filed lawsuits to block the U.S. government from negotiating fair drug prices for seniors. ©unseen histories, upsplash

SIXTY YEARS AGO Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood before a crowd of more than 250,000 gathered at the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and shared his dream, “that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [sic] are created equal.’”

When reflecting on where we made a difference in the 2023 proxy season, I recall an important lesson I learned from Allison. In 1991, five of our women’s religious communities founded Mercy Housing Northwest with the dream that we could end homelessness. Fast forward to 2017 when we were dedicating Othello Mercy Plaza, a property with 108 units of affordable housing and over 2000 applicants. We held a lottery to select residents. In my remarks that day I recalled how we dreamed that we could end homelessness, and sadly the number of people who were homeless in our communities was escalating.

When Allison, who had secured an apartment, stood at the podium to speak she looked at me and said, “You did end homelessness, you ended it for me!”

In this 29th Annual Report, we share how our NWCRI members and ICCR colleagues have made a difference this year for the Allisons of the world. With Dr. King we affirm that “even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, [we] still have a dream.”

INSPIRED BY FAITH, COMMITTED TO ACTION NWCRI is a member of ICCR, a coalition of faith-and values-based investors who are “inspired by faith, committed to action” to build a just and sustainable world. Each year we engage hundreds of corporations with letters, dialogues, and shareholder proposals to bring important environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues to the attention of management, boards, and shareholders.

BY THE NUMBERS ICCR 2023 Proxy Season

123 Climate Change

53 24 19

Legislation directed at investors who have made climate commitments has been introduced in 37 states and bills have been introduced in Congress to curtail social and environmental investment and the regulatory powers of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to allow for greater disclosure of ESG information.2 In response ICCR has formed a coalition of investors who share our commitment to clean energy, human rights, and health equity to counter these anti-ESG efforts. We plan to continue doing what we have done for decades, letting our faith inspire us to work for a world where all can thrive.

84 Human & Worker Rights Human Rights & W

39

Lobbying/ Political Spending Environment

ICCR Board Chair, Rob Fohr of The Presbyterian Health Human 50 Rights & Worker Justice Church U.S.A., says of our impact, “After years Food ICCR remains the foremost moral voice within the investor community…A sign of our growing Finance success—both as ICCR and as a movement—is that 0 30 we have ‘awoken the sleeping giant.’” 1 While investors and companies consider management of ESG risks as fundamental to the long-term sustainability of our economy, societies and planet, an anti-ESG movement of some politicians and state treasurers are campaigning against what they call “woke capitalism.”

6 6

99 Equity & Inclusion

Corporate Governance

Health Equity & Inclusion Climate Change

60

90

120

150 Environment

NUMBER OF RESOLUTIONS

NWCRI 2023 Proxy Season Environment

22 Human &Worker Rights

12

Climate Change

6

Equity & Inclusion

10 Health NUMBER OF RESOLUTIONS

HIGHLIGHTS ❖ Number of proposals filed in 2023—454 proposals ❖ Agreements with companies—122 proposals;

majority on climate issues (37) and racial justice/ diversity, equity, and inclusion (40)

NWCRI Members Supported 45 Investor Statements & Letters Health

❖ Shareholders won a majority of SEC challenges with

9

only 11 omissions

❖ 7 resolutions won majority support ❖ Dollar General resolution received the

highest-ever vote for a Workplace Health Safety audit—67.7%

❖ Lower support for proposals partly due to

anti-ESG backlash

1 2

II

https://shorturl.at/tGQU9 https://shorturl.at/cDLNY NORTHWEST COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT

Human & Worker Rights

20 16 Climate & Environment

NUMBER OF STATEMENTS & LETTERS

HEALTH EQUITY Moment of Hope: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, is a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice, and prosperity. Halfway to the deadline for the 2030 Agenda, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, warns that we are at risk of leaving half of the world behind. Progress on the SDGs is being impacted by this “age of polycrisis,” conflict, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other global challenges, says the “The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023.” Anticipating the SDG Summit in September, Guterres said, “We are at a moment of truth and reckoning.

But together, we can make this a moment of hope.” 1

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

NWCRI and ICCR members believe that health is a fundamental human right.

Universal Health Coverage (SDG Target 3.8), which includes access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all, is critical for achieving that right.

Patent System Impacts Drug Prices

A 2019 poll by an independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, found that nearly 1 in 4 Americans report that it is difficult to afford their prescriptions. Among proposals for lowering drug costs, 88% said that it should be easier for generic drugs to come to market.2

What prevents affordable generic drugs from coming to market? “One reason,” says our colleague Lydia Kuykendal of Mercy Investment Services, “is the patenting practices of drug makers who seek not to innovate, but to monopolize the market to maximize profits.”

This year NWCRI and ICCR shareholders filed proposals with nine pharmaceutical companies requesting disclosure on the process they use to consider access and affordability when applying for additional patents on a product. Over one-third of AbbVie, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson shareholders supported the resolutions.

Further, we believe that pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to both address and prevent health inequities globally. We advocate for corporate and systemic reforms that will improve access and affordability of health care for all, especially for populations that are marginalized and disenfranchised.

CASE STUDY

How a Drugmaker Profited by Slow-Walking a Promising HIV Therapy

The New York Times3 reported that in 2004, Gilead Sciences stopped pursuing a new HIV drug citing that it was not sufficiently different from the existing treatment. The rest of the story is found in internal documents made public in litigation, where it was revealed that Gilead decided to delay the new drug’s release to maximize profits, even though executives believed it might be safer for patients.

“There’s something profoundly wrong that happened here,” said Mr. Morten, an expert in pharmaceutical patent law at Columbia University. “The patent system actually encouraged Gilead to delay the development and launch of a new product.”

1

https://shorturl.at/txGZ2 https://shorturl.at/ilEGL 3 https://shorturl.at/eoRSZ 2

NWCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2023 III

ADVANCING WORKER JUSTICE Dollar General “Severe Violator” It might surprise you to learn that there are over 37,000 Dollar General and Dollar Tree stores in the U.S., which is more than McDonald’s, Starbucks and Walmart combined, and they plan to grow that number to 51,000 stores in future years. While this low-cost retail model supplies access to affordable products across the U.S., shareholders are concerned that it operates at the expense of its workforce.

...to win good jobs and a fair economy for all.

Investors engaged both companies in dialogue and filed shareholder resolutions calling for a third-party audit on worker health and safety.

The resolution at Dollar Tree was withdrawn when the Company committed to participating in meetings with proponents and to share their workplace violence and safety programs as they are developed and implemented. Investors will continue to encourage a third-party assessment, once the program is firmly in place.

The resolution at Dollar General survived the Company’s challenge at the SEC and passed with support from a majority of shareholders—68%! Mary Beth Gallagher, our colleague at Domini Impact Investors, responded to the vote saying, “We recognize from the majority vote that this is a high priority area for other investors, and they recognize that a company has a responsibility to keep its workers safe, provide a living wage, and respect other fundamental principles related to rights at work, such as freedom of association and collective bargaining.”1 After accumulating over $21 million in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines since 2017, Dollar General was designated a “Severe Violator” in 2022. Violations included, “unsafe conditions that expose workers to the possibility of being struck by falling boxes of merchandise or trapped or unable to exit the store safely in an emergency in more than 180 inspections at Dollar General stores nationwide.”2 Shareholders expect Dollar General to conduct an independent audit of worker health and safety and include adequate engagement of workers and relevant stakeholders in the process.

1 2

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https://shorturl.at/bdh06 https://shorturl.at/bfkr2 NORTHWEST COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT

▲ Step Up Louisiana got commitments from Mayor Cantrell and the New Orleans City Council to adopt their Economic Justice 3-Point Platform. © Step Up Louisiana with permission

Step Up Louisiana

Investors are collaborating with Step Up Louisiana in our engagements with the dollar stores. Its mission is to “organize in workplaces and in neighborhoods to build the political power our families need to win good jobs and a fair economy for all.” With almost a thousand Dollar Stores in the State, their members provided us with stories and information directly from workers about understaffed stores, exceedingly low wages, and threats of violence. The Louisiana Dollar Store Workers United Safety Demands include designing stores with worker input on safety and full staffing.

EQUITABLE SUPPLY CHAINS Child Labor in the USA

Twenty-five years ago, NWCRI published, Sweatshops: If A Label Could Talk, a packet of education and action, to motivate people of faith to become involved in the issue of forced labor. At the time the focus was on the meager wages paid to apparel workers around the world by brand name companies. In the ensuing years we held companies responsible for the conditions in their global supply chains. Forced labor happened “over there” where children labored on cocoa farms, workers toiled in unsafe factories, individuals were enslaved to mine precious metals, and women were trafficked for sex.

This year, when The New York Times (NYT)1 and Reuters 2 reporting revealed that migrant children were spending the night packaging Cheerios, baking dinner rolls for Walmart, processing milk for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and making parts for Hyundai-Kia, we were faced with the reality that “over there” was also “here” in the USA. Last year 130,000 unaccompanied minors migrated to the U.S. The NYT reporter talked with 100 children in 20 states who attended school during the day and worked 12-hour shifts at night. The federal government knows they are here, and the Department of Health and Human Services is assigned to find sponsors for them and protect them from exploitation. The children are under pressure to send money back home and pay their debts and living expenses.

It is estimated that about two-thirds of the children end up working full time. NWCRI and ICCR members continue to hold companies accountable for forced and child labor.

Equitable Supply Chains Call for Human Rights Due Diligence

The companies implicated in the migrant child labor violations have human rights due diligence processes in place to prevent and detect such abuses but obviously they failed the children. In the case of Walmart and Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls, we learned that this is a national brand whose rolls are sold in nearly every grocery store. Both Walmart and the Company said they were unaware that children were working in the production of the rolls and that they would investigate.

Supply chains in the twenty-first century are extremely complex, stretching from the retailer to the factory or farm where the product originates and to any of their suppliers or subcontractors, which could include sanitation services or hiring agencies. A company’s due diligence must audit the entire supply chain.

1

https://shorturl.at/chCHX https://shorturl.at/kHR68 3 https://shorturl.at/FORX8 2

...the reality that “over there” was also “here” NWCRI and ICCR members filed a shareholder resolution with Walmart requesting a report on the Company’s human rights due diligence (HRDD) in its domestic and global operations and supply chains. We believe that conducting and reporting on HRDD reduces a company’s risk of human rights violations and protects basic human rights. Currently, Walmart judges that its due diligence processes are adequate and effective and that a report is unnecessary. Shareholders think that the emergence of migrant child labor in the U.S. indicates the need for increased due diligence on the Company’s part.

Responsible for Migrant Child Labor?

Rather than being alarmed and ending the exploitation of these children, a report by the Economic Policy Institute “identifies bills weakening child labor standards in 10 states that have been introduced or passed in the past two years alone.”3 In 2023, a bill in Arkansas repealing restrictions on work for 14- and 15-year-olds has now been signed into law.

McDonald’s: Adopt a Zero-Tolerance Policy on Child Labor

In June, NWCRI joined investors in a letter voicing our deep concern regarding child labor law violations at McDonald’s restaurants.

Recently the Department of Labor (DOL) fined three McDonald’s franchisees, operating 62 restaurants across Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio, $212,000 for employing 305 children, for violations related to wages, hours, and age requirements for dangerous tasks. Investors called on the Board to adopt a zerotolerance policy towards child labor law violations in all McDonald’s restaurants, including franchises.

NWCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2023 V

GUN SAFETY During 2022, a groundbreaking study, “U.S. Youth Attitudes on Guns,” polled more than 4,100 young people across the U.S. on their attitudes on guns and gun violence. This research, conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab at American University, supports what we know, that gun violence is impacting our children’s physical and mental well-being.

FINDINGS INCLUDE 1 ❖ 74% of youth and young adults ages 14 to 30

agree that gun violence is a problem

❖ 60% believe gun safety laws should be

stricter

❖ 42% report having at least somewhat easy

access to guns

❖ Youth who are more committed to a gun

culture also have higher scores on racial resentment and male supremacy.

❖ School safety is a major concern for youth and

worry about school shootings is associated with a host of negative mental health outcomes

Those of us who are committed to giving our children a future free of gun violence are encouraged to read the Study to learn how young people feel about and use firearms and actions that we might take to safeguard guard them.

60% believe gun safety laws should be stricter 1

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https://shorturl.at/aiCNQ NORTHWEST COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT

Who Decides “In the Best Interest of the Company?”

For seven years faith-based investors in Sturm Ruger and Smith & Wesson have literally begged these firearm manufacturers to take responsibility for their role in gun violence in the U.S., and we are not alone. In 2022, sixty-eight percent of Sturm Ruger shareholders supported a resolution urging the Company to commission a third-party Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) to produce recommendations for improving the human rights impacts of its business and products.

Sturm Ruger spent a year considering whether to implement the proposal and reported in the 2023 Proxy “that the Board believes it is not in the best interest of the Company and would be inconsistent with its obligation to safeguard and enhance shareholder value,” even though the majority of Sturm Ruger shareholders said that the HRIA was in the best interest of the Company, shareholders, and our communities.

Strong Support for Human Rights at Over twenty-six percent of shareholders supported our HRIA proposal at the Company’s annual meeting. Faith-based investors plan to continue to press the firearm manufacturers to take responsibility for their role in gun violence.

Investors to Credit Card Companies Prioritize Safety

Research indicates that many mass shooters use credit or debit cards to purchase guns and ammunition. For example, the Las Vegas shooter purchased 33 weapons in the months leading up to the incident. Therefore, advocates for gun safety were pleased in September 2022 when a Merchant Category Code (MCC) for firearm retailers was approved. We believed that the new MCC would enable credit card companies to flag suspicious activity and reduce gun violence.

In March, we learned that American Express, Mastercard, and Visa were pausing the implementation of the MCC because seven states had passed legislation restricting the use of the firearm retailer code. In letters and dialogues with the companies, investors stressed that the Companies have a responsibility to help identify and mitigate potential gun-related crimes facilitated through their networks. By implementing the MCC, they would fulfill this obligation and prioritize the safety of their customers and communities.

2022-2023 NWCRI SHAREHOLDER ACTIVITIES

NWCRI members brought 14 justice issues to the boardrooms of 42 corporations, filed 32 shareholder resolutions, and participated in over 50 dialogues.

COMPANY

ISSUE

ACTION

AbbVie

Patents & Access

Resolution 29.60%

Alphabet

Child Safety Online

Dialogue

Alphabet

Improve Disclosure of Algorithmic Systems

Resolution 17%

Alphabet

Racial Equity Audit

Agreement

Altria Group*

Civil Rights Audit

Resolution 30.76%

Amazon

Transparency Reporting

Resolution 10.50%

American Express

Merchant Code for Guns & Ammunition

Dialogue

AT&T

Child Safety Online

Letter

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Patents & Access

Agreement

Campbell Soup

Water Risk Assessment

Dialogue

Caterpillar

Business in Conflict & High-Risk Areas

Resolution 14.10%

Chevron

Racial Equity Audit

Resolution 9.70%

Citigroup*

Respect for Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Resolution 31%

Coca-Cola

Racial Equity

Dialogue

CoreCivic

Human Rights Due Diligence

Dialogue

Dollar General

Workplace Health & Safety

Resolution 67.70%

Dollar Tree

Cost of Compensation Practices to Economy

Dialogue

Eli Lilly

Patents & Access

Resolution 10.40%

Essential Utilities*

PFAS in Water

Agreement

ExxonMobil

Direct Methane Measurement

Resolution 36%

FedEx*

Paid Sick Leave Policy

Resolution 10.60%

Freeport McMoRan

Human Rights

Dialogue

GEO Group

Human Rights Due Diligence

Dialogue

Gilead Sciences

Patents & Access

Resolution 16.70%

Hershey

End Child Labor in Cocoa

Resolution 3.60%

Johnson & Johnson

Racial Equity Audit

Agreement

JPMorgan Chase

Phase Out of New Fossil Fuel Financing

Resolution 8%

Kroger

Public Health Cost of Sale of Tobacco

Resolution 13%

Lockheed Martin*

Human Rights Impact Assessment

Resolution 14%

Mastercard

Merchant Code for Guns & Ammunition

Dialogue

McDonald’s

Phase Out Antibiotic Use by 2023

Resolution 16.60%

Meta Platforms

Child Safety Online

Resolution 16.27%

Moderna

Covid Vaccine Tech Transfer

Resolution 7.40%

Pfizer

Patents & Access

Resolution 30.20%

Philip Morris International

Disclose & Reduce Nicotine Levels

Resolution 3.20%

Sanofi

US & Global Health

Dialogue

Smith & Wesson

Human Rights Impact Assessment

Resolution 26.74%

Southern Company*

Environmental Justice Report

Agreement

Sturm Ruger

Marketing Risks

Resolution 26.50%

Target

Human Rights Due Diligence

Dialogue

Tyson Foods

Racial Equity Audit

Dialogue

United Health Group

Racial Equity Audit

Dialogue

Visa

Merchant Code for Guns & Ammunition

Dialogue

Visa

Policies to Protect Children

Dialogue

Walgreens Boots Alliance*

Public Health Costs of Tobacco Sales

Resolution 10.30%

Walmart

Human Rights Due Diligence

Resolution 5.70%

Walmart

Racial Equity Audit

Resolution 18.10%

Walmart

Worker Pay in Executive Compensation

Resolution 4.30%

*Resolutions filed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

NWCRI ANNUAL REPORT 2023 VII

“Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”

—MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

❖ CNN Champions for Change: Survivors Empowered

After their daughter Jessi was killed in a mass shooting at a theater in Aurora, CO in 2012, Sandy and Lonnie Phillips turned their pain into purpose by founding Survivors Empowered1 to assist survivors of gun violence in moving forward with their lives. Sandy and Lonnie joined their first Rapid Response Team, a resource of Survivors Empowered, at Sandy Hook which occurred just five short months after Jessi’s death. ICCR was honored to host and learn from Sandy and Lonnie in March 2020.

❖ Healthy Women, Healthy Families, Healthy World

On March 13, 2006, I joined First Lady Laura Bush in honoring mothers2mothers,2 an international organization whose mission is to end mother-to-child transition of HIV by providing support to pregnant women and new mothers with HIV. mothers2mothers works in ten countries in sub-Saharan Africa and employs over 1800 women living with HIV. They have achieved virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV for their clients for eight consecutive years.

❖ Reducing Plastic Pollution One Mailer at a Time

After increasing shareholder support for Amazon to reduce plastic packaging, the Company announced that in 2022 it used 12% less single use-plastic to ship orders and has plans to phase out plastic mailers. In June, Walmart announced that it will stop using plastic mailers, which will eliminate 2000 tons of plastic by the end of its fiscal year, January 31, 2024.

❖ Right to a Healthy Environment

Sixteen plaintiffs, ranging in age from 5 to 22, filed a lawsuit claiming that Montana’s greenhouse gas emissions were harming their mental and physical health. Further they said, “that state agencies were violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate.” The judge sided with the youth and noted that renewable power is “technically feasible and economically beneficial.”3

❖ “All the Children Are Well”

Kasserian Ingera, which translates to “And how are the children?” is the traditional greeting among the Masai tribe in Africa. “All the children are well,” is always the answer, which confirms the high value they place on caring for their young. As I conclude my years with NWCRI, I have hope that we will continue to strive for a world where we can say, “All the children are well.”

1

https://www.survivorsempowered.org/ https://m2m.org/ 3 https://shorturl.at/aEG24 2

VIII NORTHWEST COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT

MEMBERS Adrian Dominican Sisters Benedictine Sisters Cottonwood, Idaho Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel Congrégation des Soeurs des Saints, Noms de Jésus et de Marie Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Jesuits West Northwest Women Religious Investment Trust PeaceHealth Providence St. Joseph Health Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph Province Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus & Mary, U.S.-Ontario Province Tacoma Dominicans

NWCRI A program of the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center, NWCRI is a member of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, a national coalition of over 300 faith-based investors who are Inspired by Faith, Committed to Action.

These highlights summarize the work that NWCRI has done in collaboration with ICCR during the past year.

Judy Byron, OP Director, NWCRI

Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center

1216 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115 206.223.1138 | ipjc@ipjc.org | ipjc.org