The mission of the Promoting Human Dignity team is to lift up the value and dignity of every human life, especially those living on the margins. We do this by engaging in service, offering formation opportunities, and advocating to challenge issues and systems which dehumanize God’s children, in our community and our world.
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Opportunities:
Racial Justice Formation/Advocacy:
- Dig deep with us as we learn about and internalize our country’s 400-year history of systemic injustice and white supremacy. Hear the struggles and the triumphs of people right here in Durham, and be an advocate for change in our community and our country. Contact: Catherine Pleil
Homelessness and Hunger:
Safe and Affordable Housing:
Criminal Justice Reform:
Remain in My Love - LGBTQ Ministry:
- Families Moving Forward – FMF is the primary agency addressing the needs of homeless families and children in Durham. Opportunities include serving dinner to a small group of families on a quarterly basis, being a “study buddy” to a child, or joining a Circle of Support for a family moving into their own home. Contact: Patricia Basta
- Urban Ministries of Durham – UMD provides shelter to persons experiencing homelessness, as well as meals and clothing to the broader community. IC provides dinner on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Contact: Becki and Jeff Swoager swoager@webbwrites.com (919) 943-6721
- Furniture Project– IC volunteers collect furniture and household items, and deliver needed items to households getting out of homelessness and into their own home. Looking for people to help do the moving, and people with trucks. Contact: Mike Jenista
- Honduras Food Distribution – The Diocese of La Ceiba, with its 13 parishes, serves the northern coast of Honduras under the guidance of Franciscan Bishop Lenihan. In 2020, this region was struck by two major hurricanes, adding to the misery and devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, IC has provided support for families facing food insecurity and extreme poverty. Contact: Suyapa
- Catholic Charities – Durham’s Catholic Charities offers a large food pantry and provides family services to low income and immigrant households. Contact: Volunteer coordinator Moira Roberts
Safe and Affordable Housing:
- Habitat for Humanity – Support home ownership for lower income residents by helping to build a new home, or repair an existing one. Contact: Bob Wiethe
- Partnership with DCLT (Durham Community Land Trust) – Help low-income neighbors living near IC retain their homes by funding or helping to make needed repairs. Contact: Catherine Pleil
- Advocacy through Durham CAN and Durham Affordable Housing and Transit – Join grassroots groups advocating for safe and affordable housing and transit in Durham by attending monthly meetings and giving voice to the needs of our community. Contact: Ken Chiha
Criminal Justice Reform:
- Prison Ministry – Visit prisoners monthly (when allowed post-covid) or write letters to them. Contact: Jim Gudaitis
- Returning Citizens – Join a small faith circle of support for individuals coming out of prison, sponsored by Religious Coalition for a Non-Violent Durham. Contact: Drew Doll
- Advocacy through Durham CAN Criminal Justice Reform Team – Join a CAN workgroup to build a more just criminal justice system in here in Durham. Contact: Drew Doll
Remain in My Love - LGBTQ Ministry:
- Monthly meetings that offer fellowship, support, and discussion of issues regarding sexuality, gender, and spirituality in a loving, non-judgmental faith community. All are welcome to respectfully attend these meetings, this includes LGBTQ persons, families, friends and all who want to learn more about being a supportive Catholic to our LGBTQ parishioners. Contact: Amy Oliphant or Karen Poglitsch
- Pregnancy Support Services – Support women with unplanned pregnancies, and basic needs for babies in low-income families. Contact: Barbara Prince
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