The Social Concerns Committee provides organization and structure to support the social justice mission of the Catholic Church in The Holy Name of Jesus parish community.

Our mission is accomplished through a holistic approach including formation, advocacy, activities, and networking of social justice programs within the parish and the community it serves. The goal is to respond as a parish to the baptismal call to serve and deepen our unity as a parish and inspire a vision of hope.
 

You are invited!  We Meet:

1st Monday every month
7:00 - 8:30pm
Library Room (in parish hall)
The Holy Name of Jesus
1205 Columbia Street, Redlands 92374

Since 2015, Holy Name's social justice volunteers re-grouped as the Social Concerns Committee. We chose to focus on our local area first, but with awareness of how the larger areas of San Bernardino County, the Inland Empire, and the greater LA area connect with our issues and needs. 

We chose two local Redlands foci:  homelessness, and immigration. 

Sometimes we put “skin in the game” by serving directly. Prior to COVID-19, members staffed a Cold Weather Homeless Shelter; handed out resources in North Redlands at a neighborhood street fair, helped with the Christmas program for youth and families at the Redlands Community Center; and, organized our parish's Get On The Bus project. We have also provided ESL Classes and Citizenship Classes, and collected food/clothing for Youth Hope (homeless teens center) and Family Service.

Guest Speakers 

We are committed to learn together, and invite guest speakers to our meetings. In 2017, Heidi Mayer shared the unique needs of the homeless teens she works with as the CEO of Youth Hope, and, City Councilman Eddie Tejeda filled us in on how Redlands city government is approaching homelessness.

Members Networking 

Members of the committee also open our eyes to those in need! There is a rich diversity in this committee, and our members network with other groups so that together we can  stimulate change. For example, members volunteer with Youth Hope, the Common Vision Coalition, the library adult literacy program, area Special Olympics, and at Sacred Heart Academy.  Rogelio teaches Holy Name’s free Citizenship Class. Mireya works with CHIRLA, an immigration advocacy and help agency. Terry is our link to RAIC, the Redlands Interfaith Council, and Rick connects us to RCRC, Redlands Charity Resource Coalition. All of us have joined the Catholic Legislative Network (www.cacatholic.org) and receive email updates about legislative issues, too.

Informing You and Advocating for People in Need

We inform you about social issues through the bulletin and pulpit announcements. You may recall reading our newsletter about the DACA Program changes in September 2017. Did you know that our committee estimates we may have as many as 400 “Dreamers”, or DACA Youth, within our parish community? 

Advocating for them, and about other social justice issues that affect you, your parish, and your wider community, is vitally important!
 

Your Social Concerns Committee welcomes you!

Anne Alhadef; Meri Dailey; Mary Drexler; Rick Ferguson; Esther Gamez; Sr Mary Garascia; Rogelio Garcia; Mireya Gonzalez; Gilberto Gil; Mark Kumler; Terry Mock; Teresa Nelson; Dee Rehome; Rachelle Rubio; Azusena Urquijo; Ruben Vasquez