Nova Catholic Community

Nova Social Justice Projects for 2007 

Nova in its early years described itself as a worshipping community that engages in social action. It has been the intent of the Nova Community to allocate as much of its resources to social justice activities as possible, while respecting the appropriate needs of other functions within the community. In responding to the imperative to “Love One’s Neighbor”, the activities have been widely diverse: e.g. liturgies focused on service, Oxfam fast, educational components to inform the community on critical issues, hands-on work, political action, financial aid and assistance to local, regional and global organizations. 

Each year the community has a Social Justice Annual meeting to discuss the projects of the previous year, to address possible new projects, and to talk about the direction the community should take. Everyone in the community is invited and encouraged to attend. At this meeting we often use this prayer. 

Gracious God inspire us to engage in actions

that give witness to Your love for the world

and to be co-creators with You

of a cosmos that celebrates all of existence.

~ Adapted from Social Justice document by Gil Donahue 

Our projects now include local concerns, global concerns, advocacy support and also projects that include no financial commitment but volunteer commitment. Nova has always required that a community person be involved in the project being considered and that person sends the monthly check and communicates with the “project” if it is approved by the community. 

ACTION AFRICA

Action Africa serves children and families in rural sub-Saharan villages in the vital areas of health, education, and economic generativity. NOVA is the sole supporter of 4 free medical clinics yearly, seeing over 1,000 each and giving HIV/AIDS education in Imo State, Nigeria. In 2007 we plan to begin clinics in war-ravaged Sierra Leone www.actionafrica.org. 

ADOPT A FAMILY PROJECT

Financial and physical support for a local family. Help is focused on promoting self sufficiency. 

AMANACER SALOMON KLEIN ORPHANAGE 

Currently there are 150 children from newborn to 6 year at the orphanage in Cochabamba Bolivia. At the "hogar" (home) children receive medical care and attend Montessori and Kindergarten classes.

http://www.amanecer-bolivia.org/amanecer.htm  

AFAC Arlington Food Assistance Center

Over 975,000 pounds of food are distributed directly to needy families in Arlington. The working poor, elderly and disabled rely on AFAC.  http://www.afacinfo.org/ 

ASPAN Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network

Emergency winter shelter offers warm space for the homeless in Arlington. Employment counselors assist those who can work. Some Nova members are on the board.  http://www.a-span.org 

BETHANY HOUSE  

Shelter for abused women and their children in Fairfax County.  

CAMBONI SISTERS/Sister Adriana Tovar

Project in South Sudan, Leer-Upper Nile -- support education for primary and secondary schools, and training local teachers 

CENTER OF CONCERN   

Non-governmental Organization (NGO) working for greater global justice. http://www.coc.org 

CO-PARTNERS OF CAMPESINAS

A non-profit organization that supports a training center and scholarship program in Ilobasco, El Salvador and a small micro enterprise program in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. The El Salvador project has a 12-year history, while the Guatemala project was established in 2000. Money pays teachers' salaries and utilities in the training center, supports school supplies and transportation scholarships for impoverished children, and provides micro credit. Volunteer opportunities for Nova members are offered.  http://copartners.org/ 

ESCUELA BOLIVIA  

Funds are used to fund scholarships at Escuela Bolivia in Arlington VA.  Currently there are 126 students from grades Pre-K to 12th grade, 36 adults. About 85%  receive scholarships.  In addition to Spanish, English and Quechua language classes, Escuela Bolivia offers a comprehensive parental leadership program. 

GREENWELL

The Greenwell Foundation offers universal access to a natural park environment through therapeutic and educational programs, accessible facilities, and inclusive community events. Greenwell will be having the first Gala on 5/14/05.This would be an excellent opportunity for Nova to support the Greenwell Foundation. 

HEC   HANDICAPPED ENCOUNTER CHRIST

HEC's primary activity is to develop retreats to enable adults with physical disabilities to have an opportunity to get away for a spiritually enriching, fun-filled weekend.  Every person with a disability has a partner to help care for their needs during the weekend.  Nova’s financial support helps those who can’t pay the cost of the retreat. Many Nova members have participated in the retreats. 

HOLY CROSS ABBEY

Their main income comes from their bakery products . NOVA is one of the very few “churches” on record as supporting them.  Their religious are aging and are trying to live on $12.00 a day.  http://www.hcava.org/ 

HOMELESS PREVENTION/RENTAL ASSISTANCE

This fund is for local families in crisis with no other sources to help.  

HOPE    Helping Others Pursue Education

This project was named and established by Nova members. It provides assistance for needy students in Arlington to pursue education. 

KENMORE PROJECT

The school used these funds to provide scholarships to middle school students so that they could take English and Mathematics classes during the summer. 

NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH

Support for Jim Dickerson and the MANNA projects in Washington, DC

He founded Manna Inc. in 1982 to develop quality affordable homeownership opportunities for the residents of Shaw and Columbia Heights, neighborhoods that are overwhelmingly low-income and African American.  http://www.newcommunitychurchdc.org/index.html 

NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE

The mission is to facilitate the creation of a trained, international civilian nonviolent peaceforce. The Peaceforce will be sent to conflict areas to prevent death and destruction and protect human rights, thus creating the space for local groups to struggle nonviolently, enter into dialogue, and seek peaceful resolution.  http://nonviolentpeaceforce.org/ 

UGANDA PROJECT  

Funds support  the building of facilities which are required to house and teach all of these students.  www.CentralBugandaUniversity.info. 

NOVA CO-OP 

Twice a month fresh veggies: cases of potatoes, tomatoes, grapes, oranges, onions, broccoli, bananas, are boxed to go to Doorways (emergency shelter) ,  Sullivan House (transitional shelter),  and the AFAC distribution.  

PRISON MINISTRY

Support for the ministry to the women in prison in the York Correctional Institution in Connecticut. The Episcopal priest administering the program was a Nova chairperson in the early years of the community. 

MINISTRY OF PETER HENRIOT, SJ 

This helps to support the ministry of a Nova priest working in Zambia. www.jctr.org.zm 

QUEST FOR PEACE  

Support for projects in Nicaragua 

VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL

To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. To support those who have been abused, to support priests of integrity, and to shape structural change within the Church. www.votf-nova.com 

WOMEN'S ORDINATION FUND

The Women's Ordination Conference is a US based Catholic organization working locally and nationally in collaboration with the worldwide movement for women's ordination. http://www.womensordination.org 

BREAD FOR THE WORLD

Bread for the World is a nationwide Christian citizens movement seeking justice for the world's hungry people by lobbying our nation's decision makers. BFW Institute seeks justice for hungry people by engaging in research and education on policies related to hunger and development. http://www.bread.org/ 

ARLINGTON INTERFAITH COUNCIL

The mission of the Arlington Interfaith Council is to provide a tangible religious witness in the community through promotion of understanding and cooperation among member congregations and to develop and support programs to alleviate suffering and promote justice for residents of Arlington.

http://www.arlingtonva-interfaith-council.org 

VIRGINIA INTERFAITH CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY

The Center’s focus is three-fold: education, legislative advocacy and providing a spiritual presence to the Virginia state legislature.  http://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org 

CHRIST HOUSE

This was an emergency shelter in Alexandria run by Catholic Charities. There is no longer a shelter but they still open the doors to serve an evening meal to those who are hungry. An average of 80 people eats at Christ House each evening. Nova volunteers serve the meal and clean up on the 3rd Monday of every other month.  http://www.ccda.net/programs_christhouse.php 

CENTRO VILLA CANDELARIA

A school in Cochabamba, Bolivia educating and supporting the child and family.

A group of 34 Nova members participate in this project. Each person contributes $10/month for 1 child. The parents of the children contribute to the school a small amount and some cannot pay at all and are on scholarship. The young girls are making dolls to sell and food production (dried fruit) started in 2002. 

GUNSTON FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Nova volunteers pick up perishable food at the AFAC warehouse on Nelson Street in South Arlington and take it to Gunston Middle School recreation center and distribute it to the families. 

ST CLEMENT'S EMERGENCY SHELTER

This overflow shelter is housed in the sanctuary at The Church of St. Clement, Episcopal, Alexandria VA.  Nova volunteers participate in this program.