Human Concerns/Social Justice Calendar - 2010

January 16
Set up Display for Winter Hat/Hygiene Collection
January 23/24
Winter Hat/Hygiene Collection Distribution
January 25
HC/SJ Meeting

February 17
Ash Wed Prayer Vigil Elizabeth Detention Center
February 22
HC/SJ Meeting
March 22
HC/SJ Meeting (Family Promise 3/15)

April 19
HC/SJ Meeting

May 8/9
Birthright Baby Shower (Mother’s Day May 9th)
May 15/16
Birthright Baby Shower
May 17
HC/SJ Meeting

June 21
HC/SJ Meeting
June 20
Stamp Out Despair

July 19
HC/SJ Meeting

August 14/15
Set up Display for Sock & Undie
Back to School Collection
August 15
Dinner for the Center
August 16
HC/SJ Meeting
August 21/22
Sock & Undie Back to School Supply
Collection Distribution

September 18/19
Time and Talent Weekend
September 20
HC/SJ Meeting

October 11
Prayer Vigil Elizabeth Detention Center
October 18
HC/SJ Meeting
October 23/24
Set up display for Thanksgiving Food Drive

November 13/14
Thanksgiving Food Collection/Distribution
November 15
HC/SJ Meeting
November 27
Giving Tree Set up
November 27
Stamp Out Despair

December 11/12
Giving Tree Collection/Distribution
December 12
Wayside Retirement Christmas Party
December 20
HC/SJ Meeting/Christmas Party

MISSION: to provide assistance and care for the needs of our more vulnerable citizens in the surrounding community; realizing that we are part of a larger community extend those efforts internationally so that in our own small way we can bring hope to those in need both locally and globally; to identify current peace and social justice issues; and, to publicize, educate and advocate for just public policies.

Our meetings take place the third Monday of the month at 7:30 PM in Rooms 2 and 3

HUMAN CONCERNS: We care for the needs of our more vulnerable citizens through existing organizations:

• Winter Hat/Hygiene Collection - Donations of winter hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, as well as personal/travel size hygiene items are collected for The Center of Asbury Park, a support system for people infected with HIV/AIDS.
• Prayer Vigil at Elizabeth Detention Center - Elizabeth Detention Center is for individuals who are waiting for their immigration status. IRATE (the Interfaith Refugee Action Team - Elizabeth) seeks to change the U.S. policy of imprisoning noncriminal asylum seekers and economic refugees through education and advocacy. IRATE tells us we do not treat people seeking asylum well. We hold them in a windowless prison, locked down in a dorm for 22 hours every day, with little or no ability to mount an effective case for their legal process.
• Blood Drive - St. Anselm’s Blood Drive is conducted by Central Jersey Blood Bank. Last year alone, 60 percent of all blood donations in our area were collected through mobile blood drives. Without caring people the Blood Center would be facing severe blood shortages.
• Birthright Baby Shower - Birthright, an organization that supports pregnant women/young mothers who keep their babies. Birthright provides shelter, food, clothing other needs for babies through the first year of life.
• Dinner for The Center - A complete Sunday dinner is provided for the clients and residents of The Center of Asbury Park, a support system for people infected with HIV/AIDS.
• School Supply Collection - School Supplies are collected for needy area students.
• Peace Mass - HC/SJ Annual Mass for Peace
• Thanksgiving Food Collection/Distribution - Thanksgiving Food Drive provides food baskets for needy people.
• International Craft Fair - Sale of items made by artisans and craftsmen from a number of countries. All funds collected are returned to the missionaries and other organizations supporting the poor abroad and here in the United States.
• Stamp Out Despair - First Friends, an organization of volunteer dedicated to visiting and helping detainees in the Elizabeth Detention Center, conducts a campaign in June and November seeking donations of domestic and international stamps, ruled white paper, envelopes and greeting cards so that the detainees can keep in touch with family and friends.
• Wayside Retirement Center - Human Concerns/Social Justice members, along with the Music Ministry members, make to trip to Wayside Retirement Center bearing gifts and smiles.
• Giving Tree - Christmas trees are set up in both foyers laden with tags denoting specific gifts for specific individuals. The Giving Tree Gifts benefit children and adults from various organizations and charities in the local area.

And Throughout the Year:

• Sales of Equal Exchange Coffee monthly at Coffee and Donut weekend and at other activities at St Anselm's (3rd weekend, Monthly)
• Post Cards re Human Concerns/Social Justice Issues sent to people in power who can make changes
• Informational inserts in Parish Bulletin re Human Concerns/Social Justice Issues
• Pantry Collections (monthly) to benefit The Center clients
• Entrée cooking for 100 (monthly) to feed residents and clients of The Center.
• Twinning with St. Anthony Parish, Port Antonio, Jamaica (Find out more...)

For information on any of these activities, contact:
Mary McCauley and Clara Caprio, Co-chairs of Human Concerns