New Sanctuary Movement is Hiring a Community Organizer

We are currently working on two campaigns to build a more welcoming and just city and state: to stop the collaboration between the Philadelphia Police Department and Immigration, and to fight a package of anti-immigrant bills in the PA State Legislature. You can find out more about us at www.sanctuaryphiladelphia.org.

We are hiring a Full Time Community Organizer to join our dynamic and upbeat team working to build a faith-based grassroots movement for immigrant rights. The organizer will develop leaders in the community, build a network of congregations and oversee campaigns. 

Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal skills - ability to build and maintain relationships with congregation members and clergy of different ethnicities and faith
• Comfortable in the language and life of faith, openness to a variety of religious experiences and aware of one's own faith journey
• Bi-lingual - English and Spanish
• Passionate about social justice and immigrant rights
• Highly motivated and independent worker
• Desire to learn, grow and be challenged
• Basic computer skills including internet and social media like Facebook and blog
• Good communication skills - both verbal and written
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to work as part of team in a growing organization
• Experience with recruitment and outreach
• Experience with group facilitation
• Experience in planning and running events, workshops and actions
• Ability to work flexible hours - significant evenings and weekends

A Plus:

• Bi-cultural and/or immigrant background
• Understanding of direct action organizing
• Campaign-based organizing experience
• Experience building leadership
• Experience in multiracial coalition building

 Responsibilities Include:

• Work with congregations of different religions and ethnicities
• Develop relationships with new congregations
• Build teams/groups in congregations, spending time each week in congregations and home visits
• Storytelling - lead small groups in immigrant communities in a popular education storytelling model
• Leadership Development - identify potential leaders and develop skills
• Build and guide campaigns - lead groups to identify campaigns, oversee the development and implementation of a faith based organizing campaign
• Build and maintain relationships with other organizations and coalitions in city, state and country
• Represent faith voice in these issues
• Help with administrative work in NSM office
• Regular communication with director and other staff and participate in decision making of organization

Please send cover letter, resume and three references to peter@sanctuaryphiladelphia.org.

New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates for employment will be considered without regard to race or ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, marital status or sexual orientation. Women and persons of color are encouraged to apply.

Philadelphia City Council Condemns City Cooperation with ICE

Philadelphia, PA – On the afternoon of Thursday June 23, 2011, Philadelphia City Council passed a non-binding resolution “condemning the City of Philadelphia’s agreement with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to allow immediate access to arrest information,” which has led to the deportation of hundreds of Philadelphia residents. With Councilman Jim Kenny and Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez taking the lead, Council urged, “the City to discontinue that agreement with ICE when it expires August 31, 2011 as well as any other involvement in the Secure Communities program or additional data-sharing agreements with ICE”.

To read more check out the One Love Movement Blog

Criticism of the mis-named "Secure Communities" Confirmed on WHYY

Click this link to hear Susan Phillips explain the terrifying statistics of Secure Communities deportations here in Philadelphia.

"Sixty-one percent of those deported due to Philadelphia's role in the program are listed as non-criminals. That's much higher than the national average -- which is 27 percent."

Save the Date: April 12th Immigration Debate and Panel Discussion

On April 12th, the eve of the Philadelphia City Council primaries, “Voices for Safe and Diverse Neighborhoods”, a coalition composed of the New Sanctuary Movement, JUNTOS, Nationalities Services Center, Friends of Farmworkers and others immigrant rights advocacy groups, will hold a public debate on community safety in diverse communities.

The public debate will be held within the 1st City Council District, one of the most immigrant-rich districts in the City. Two well known public figures with differing view points will participate: Stu Bykofsky, a columnist with the Daily News, and Sarah Paoletti, a professor of law at University of Pennsylvania. Debaters will discuss the impact of local policies on the relationships between immigrant communities, citizen communities and the city government. Topics will include (but will not be limited to): city security policies that encourage or prevent racial profiling; police response to domestic violence situations; language access in linguistically diverse neighborhoods; and, especially, the pros and cons of the current information-sharing agreement between the Philadelphia Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security's office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

We will also invite at-large and 1st District candidates in the City Council elections to participate as panelists who will respond to the debate once it has concluded. Each panelist will be given a set amount of time to share her reflections and positions regarding the debated issues. We expect a large voter/resident turn-out from the 1st District and beyond as well as noted City leaders from government and the private sector with an interest in the topic and policies at stake.

For more information about how to become a Co-Sponsor or get more involved, email Jen Rock at nsmphiladelphia@gmail.com

The event will take place at Broad St Ministries, at 315 S. Broad St, from 7 pm to 9 pm.

March 22nd Event: Our Stories Connect Us: The Underground Railroad and the Sanctaury Movement

Our Stories Connect Us:
The Underground Railroad and
the Sanctuary Movement

On March 22nd, from 7pm to 9 pm,
at Arch St. United Methodist Church 55 N. Broad St.

New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia invites you to an evening of inspiration with "Cousin Millie," a professional storyteller who recreates stories of fugitive slaves seeking sanctuary and safety through the Underground Railroad. Through shared reflections, the NSM community will discover connections between the powerful history of the Underground Railroad and our own work for immigration justice today.

We are asking for a donation of $5 to help New Sanctuary Movement continue the fight for the civil and human rights of all people. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Nov. 1 Day of the Dead Action

Read the Philadelphia Inquirer's coverage of our Day of the Dead procession calling for the end of fear and the end of the PARS contract.

Pro-Immigrant Protest Hit's City Hall

Preview auction items for "Immigration, Art, and Action" special event online now

Take a look at some of the first items donated for the silent auction that will be part of our fundraising special event on Sat. Oct 23rd! You'll find photos and brief descriptions at www.immigrationartaction.blogspot.com.

...Art... Books... Locally grown food... More!

We'll be updating the items shown there in the coming days, so check back soon. Remember to buy your tickets in advance via PayPal on the New Sanctuary website at www.sanctuaryphiladelphia.org.

 

Papel Amate -- 1980s Nahua painting from Mexico

Mill Creek Farm - Honey, T-shirt, and Ticket