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When we think about peace and justice, we tend to focus on national and international issues, but many important struggles for social justice take place locally, in our own communities, where our direct involvement can have an immediate impact.
For the Pre-Event to this year’s Annual Gathering, we will visit three grassroots groups working for social justice at the local level in Orange County, California, experience social justice work from the perspectives that they bring, and engage in dialogue about similar efforts in our own congregations and communities:
 Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice of Orange County (CLUE OC) educates and mobilizes the diverse faith community to join low-wage workers in their struggles for justice. CLUE utilizes a faith-rooted model to help faith communities uncover the call to justice within their tradition and to contribute the unique gifts that faith brings to the broader movement. Through CLUE, people of many faiths and their congregations get involved in the struggles of low wage workers (such as hotel workers, janitors, and farmworkers,) as well as the struggle for immigration reform. CLUE OC is part of CLUE California, which has 13 worker justice affiliates throughout the state and one affiliate chapter in Nevada.
 For over 25 years, Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) has been working with low-income families to improve their quality of life. OCCCO empowers people to take responsibility for communities, to shape public policy, and to build a legacy of leadership throughout the region. Their vision is to organize communities where families thrive and people are empowered by their faith and knowledge, dedicated to seeking justice, and actively engaged in the civic process. Through the actions of OCCCO-trained community leaders and congregations, community clinics have opened, roads have been paved, policies affecting health care, affordable housing, and code enforcement have been drawn up, and more. OCCCO is an affiliate of the PICO National Network and the PICO California Project.
 Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development (OCCORD) is a leader in the growing movement to reclaim Orange County from the brand of “You’re On Your Own” economic policies and entrenched anti-immigrant sentiment that have prevented working families from prospering in what is sometimes called “the Happiest Place on Earth.” OCCORD trains grassroots leaders, organizes coalitions, encourages people to become citizens and register to vote, and develops policy solutions to ensure that workers and communities have a voice in the public policy decisions that affect their lives, especially in regard to economic development, land use planning, and government accountability. OCCORD is a member of the Partnership for Working Families national network.
This day-long experience will be a wonderful opportunity to connect and engage with a diverse group of grassroots leaders who are working to change their communities in a place that the media portrays as an affluent beach playground – and to reflect upon the role we play as people of faith in our own communities.
The cost for this event is $40.00 and includes lunch. Register Now
We will begin the day at Chapman University at 9:00 a.m. and return to Chapman University at 4:00 p.m.
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