November 2019 Prayers for Justice

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November 2019: Mindful of those struggling with issues surrounding housing and homelessness, we pray…

November 3.  For the homeless and the hungry, for the provision of safe, affordable housing and low cost nutritious food, for the personal safety, dignity, and well- being of those who are unable to work.  For the shelters of the greater Green Bay area,that they may be places of love, acceptance, dignity and empowerment for all those they serve. 

November 10.  For the unemployed and underemployed, for suitable work, living wages, and fair benefits for all workers in our community; and for sufficient employment to make healthy family life possible. 

November 17.  For safe and affordable housing for all in our community.

November 24.  For the inclusion of all (regardless of race, age, or residency) in the economy of our area; for effective, affordable, regional public transportation to support job access.

For more about our prayer project, Prayers for Justice, click here.

A Conversation about Green Bay Correctional

We have a billion dollar decision to make.

Join us on Thursday, November 21st 2019 at 6pm at Saint Matthew Church (130 Saint Matthew Street, Green Bay WI 54301)

Welcome to Wisconsin where, in many communities, being taken away to jail or prison is more common than being sent off to college. The prison population in this state has more than tripled since 1990, burdening taxpayers, compromising public safety and hindering justice.

The Green Bay Correctional Institute (GBCI) was constructed in 1898. It may require substantial capital improvements. A May 3, 2019 report of the Legislative Audit Bureau reported that many believe its antiquated design is not conducive to the efficient operation of a modern prison. The report said that, among Wisconsin’s prisons, GBCI is the best candidate for closure. The Allouez Village Board has unanimously supported the distribution of a petition supporting the decommissioning of GBCI.

It is clear that, after 121 years, GBCI is nearing the end of its useful life. That means that Wisconsin’s Governor and State Legislature have a big decision to make: Will our state spend $1 billion over the next 20 years to build and operate a new prison, or will we join the states around the nation that are reducing their prison populations? Will we spend $1 billion another prison, or will we invest $1 billion over the next 20 years on the programs that can uplift our people, reduce crime, and re-build our communities?

Our conversation will include a presentation and testimony by David Liners, WISDOM State Director, Sarah Ferber, EXPO (Ex-Incarcerated Persons Organizing) Associate Director, and Carl Fields, EXPO Community Organizer. We will also have legislative updates. This event is free and open to the public.

Click here for the facebook event page.

Internships with JOSHUA

We are really pleased to announce our internships with JOSHUA. We are now taking applications for Spring and Summer semester for 2020. Click download or view below to see description and how to apply.

Internship Opportunities: Spring and Summer 2020

JOSHUA seeks interns for course credit for Spring and Summer 2020 semesters.

About JOSHUA (Justice Organization Sharing Hope United for Action): JOSHUA is an interfaith social-justice systemic change organization. We are grassroots and non-profit (501c3), focusing our work in the Brown County and surrounding areas of Wisconsin. JOSHUA is a coalition of faith communities in Brown County dedicated to building and deepening relationships within and among faith communities. It empowers and equips people to work together on issues of justice and community building. JOSHUA builds relationships in the public and private sector in order to advance issues, which represent our common faith values. We seek to identify and take action on root causes of poverty, oppression and injustice. For more information about JOSHUA go to: www.joshua4justice.org

Internship Responsibilities: Interns will learn more about the operations of nonprofit organizations and will work closely with experienced professional staff. Intern(s) will gain skills in organizing, fundraising, public policy, and advocacy.
Reporting to the Community Organizer, the ​Program Intern(s)​ ​will work to pass and defend top issues by: ​1) ​engaging citizens on housing, prison reform, and environmental justice issue campaigns, ​2) generating and tracking media coverage; ​3) ​recruiting a new generation of members to our social networking sites; ​4) ​encouraging on-line supporters to take action and volunteer ​5) ​updating media contacts; and ​6) ​assisting with issue research

Skills Required:
❖  Organized with strong written and verbal communication skills.
❖  Ability to conduct research on-line or through traditional media.
❖  Database management experience and event planning skills a plus.
❖  Independently motivated and enjoy working with people.
❖  Interns will work from the Green Bay office of JOSHUA, located at 130 St Matthew Street, Green Bay WI 54301. Interns can arrange to work remotely.
❖  Interns may earn 2-4 course credits (typically, students earn 1 credit for every 3-4 hours worked per week). The position is unpaid. Internships not for class credit also available upon request.
❖  Interns are responsible for finding a faculty sponsor and meeting all internship requirements of the college or university.

To Apply: Please send a letter of interest and resume to Rachel Westenberg at ​rachel.wisdomwi@gmail.com​ Call 920-360-3538 with any questions. Deadline: ​Positions are Limited. Early Applications will be given preference.

Banquet Tickets

JOSHUA is celebrating 15 years of doin’ justice and we want you to join in the celebration. On Friday, October 11th 2019 we will be having our annual banquet. Our evening will include a stunning silent auction, clergy cake off, raffle, cash bar, and so much more. Our keynote speaker for the evening will be Steve Meyer.

You can get your tickets any of the following ways:

-Buy your tickets online. To get your tickets online click here.
-Get your tickets from any JOSHUA Board Member or at any JOSHUA meeting.
-Visit the Saint Matthew Parish Center which is open Monday – Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday 9:30 am to Noon and get your tickets there.

We need YOUR help!

Our silent auction committee is hard at work planning for our 2019 banquet, celebrating JOSHUA’s 15th year of doin’ justice. We need YOUR help! We are looking for donations of items or baskets. Whether you own a business or want to donate a favorite item, service, or basket full of treats we want your help making this silent auction the most profitable in JOSHUA’s history so we can further our mission and work in our community.

Please look at our silent auction materials below. We are asking all silent auctions items be turned into the JOSHUA office by Friday, September 27th 2019. Just give us a call and we would be happy to pick up your donation. Donations can also be dropped off (Monday – Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday 9:30 am to Noon) or mailed directly to the JOSHUA office at the following address. Please enclose the attached filled out donation form with your donation:

JOSHUA
Attn: Banquet Committee
130 Saint Matthew Street,
Green Bay WI 5430