Justice & Peace
Economic Justice
“Every perspective on ecomomic life that is human, moral, and Christian must be shaped by three questions: What does the economy do for people? What does it do to people? And how do people participate in it?” Economic Justice for All – Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy – National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1986.
We, Sisters of St. Joseph, have been involved in issues of economic justice – local and national – for many years. Through direct contact with people who are victims of the economic system – those without homes, food security, jobs, and access to land – we have been moved to address the systemic issues which have caused these problems. We have joined with coalitions to advocate for change on behalf of the victims.
Lift Our Kids is a Coalition of 160 Massachusetts organizations dedicated to improving cash assistance programs for the Commonwealth’s lowest income children and families. As part of the coalition, we have visited state senators and representatives, written emails and made calls for legislative action. Lift Our Kids has led a campaign to Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty by setting a floor for welfare (TAFDC and EAEDC) benefits at 50 percent of the federal poverty level. Although a long way from that goal, the coalition successfully advocated for a 10% increase in the state budget in cash benefits starting in April 2025.
· “Deep poverty” is income below half the federal poverty level – $1076 a month for a family of three in 2024.
· TAFDC is intended to meet families’ basic needs. But the maximum grant for a family of three in 2024 is only $783 a month. This will increase to $861 a month in 2025. For more info visit: www.liftourkidsma.org
MA Coalition for the Homeless – Created in 1981,the Coalition has been committed to tackling difficult problems that impact families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of losing their homes. It works to maintain awareness of the accelerating challenges of poverty and homelessness. Since its origin, the Coalition has been committed to developing programs that meet an unmet need, which in turn leads to long-term solutions to poverty and homelessness. For more info visit: www.mahomeless.org.
We have also collaborated with this group and others across the state in advocating around the Emergency Shelter situation in the state. MA has a right to shelter law which has forced the state to open a number of extra emergency shelters to accommodate the increasing number of migrants coming into the state as well as the increasing number of MA families in need of shelter due to the lack of affordable housing. We have joined with others to advocate for adequate funding and services in the shelters and have opposed policies limiting the number of families who can be sheltered and the limits on the amount of time families can stay in the shelters.
Coalition on Human Needs is an alliance of national organizations working together to promote public policies which address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable people. The Coalition has advocated for increases rather than cuts in the federal budget for programs like SNAP (food stamps), Early Childhood education, and affordable child care, health, housing, income support, workers’ rights, and nutrition. For more info visit: www.chn.org.
