Annual Report 2020-2021

OREGON COALITION OF CHRISTIAN VOICES

ANNUAL REPORT: JULY 2020 – JUNE 2021

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”  Proverbs 31:8-9

In the following report we reflect on our work from July 2020 through June 2021.  The scripture above defines our calling, that of speaking out, exposing economic and social justice systems that perpetuate suffering on those most in need. We advocate for policies and laws that work for everyone, and especially for those most vulnerable of our neighbors.  While that scripture refers to those who cannot speak for themselves, many of those most at risk can indeed speak for themselves, but their voices are drowned out by those with more power and influence.  It is our task to come alongside, to speak and to act on their behalf, as people of faith uniting to seek God’s justice in Oregon. 

ADVOCACY AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

As we began this report period in July of 2020, we were still deeply affected by the Covid19 virus, seeing it’s impact economically and experiencing the destabilizing effects of isolation and inability to live our normal lives.  In this challenging time OCCV was actively engaged in advocating for laws and policies that would protect and enhance the well-being of those most at risk in our communities.  

During the 2021 Legislative session we endorsed and advocated for a variety of bills that addressed critical social and economic issues, and many of them passed.  Those bills included several related to energy and climate justice, funding for safe and affordable housing, a bill relating to gun safety, and a bill proposing an amendment to the Oregon Constitution that would assure affordable health care for all.  A listing of the bills we endorsed can be found at our website, www.OCCV.org, in the August 2021 newsletter. 

One of the critical issues facing our state is ongoing systemic racism.  A number of bills were introduced that would address systemic racism in the criminal justice system. We endorsed two bills related to criminal justice reform, neither of which passed, but we were encouraged that twenty-two bills addressing policing reforms did pass.  One of the housing bills we endorsed that addressed racial disparities in homeownership was passed.

While we were pleased that many bills we advocated for were passed, there continues to be the challenge of making substantial changes in the state’s tax structure, which tends to favor those least in need.  Without such changes, programs that provide for those most at risk will continue to be underfunded.  Our work is to challenge our elected leaders to assure our tax structures and budget priorities reflect God’s priorities for government, that of making sure all people have sufficient means to meet their most basic health and safety needs.

EVENTS

In the wake of deaths of African Americans at the hands of police around the country, OCCV held a  forum by zoom on police accountability and criminal justice reform on July 15, 2020, “A Conversation with Lew Frederick”.  Senator Frederick, as a member of the People of Color Caucus in the legislature, was instrumental in passing a number of bills addressing police accountability during the special session held in June.  But, as he said the job was not completed, and he spoke to what comes next for police accountability and public justice, and how the faith community could be a voice for further reforms during the 2021 Legislative session.  The meeting was co-sponsored with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Unitarian Universalist Voices of Justice and the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty.  

OCCV held its seventh Faith Legislative Forum on January 9, 2021.  While OCCV board member John Calhoun has the lead on organizing the event, the planning group included members from our co-sponsors, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, UU Voices of Justice and Interfaith Alliance on Poverty.  The forum was on Zoom, which allowed for both legislators and participants from around the state to attend.  Eight legislators participated in the panels to talk about their priorities for the upcoming Legislative session.  Over 200 people signed up to participate in the forum.

PARTNERSHIPS

OCCV nurtures strong partnerships with like-minded organizations, both faith-based and secular, to collaborate on issues related to social and economic justice.  Doing so enhances our mutual capacity to advocate for and bring about changes in laws and policies, while staying true to our calling of speaking prophetically to the need for those changes.  Board members both represent OCCV in various organizations and have individual involvement with like-minded groups.  We’ve also partnered with organizations for one-time events, legislation, and actions that support our mission.  

We are members of, or have collaborative relationships with the following organizations:

Wage Theft Committee of Northwest Worker Justice Project; Tax Fairness Oregon; Oregon Housing Alliance; Faith Labor Committee of Jobs with Justice; Interfaith Alliance on Poverty; Oregon Center for Public Policy; Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon; UU Voices of Justice.

Board members are also active with Homeshare Oregon of Harbor of Hope, Operation Nightwatch, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Westminster Presbyterian’s Racial Justice Committee, and Gun Violence Prevention Table.  These connections provide additional capacity for OCCV to respond to issues congruent with our faith-based values.

BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

OCCV continues to have one part-time employee, Amanda Larriva who very effectively oversees all administrative functions, including publications and social media.   All other functions of the organization are carried out by the board, who volunteer their time and expertise to keep OCCV’s work relevant and responsive to the urgent need for policies that protect the most vulnerable.  

OCCV continues to be financially solvent, as we keep our expenditures within our available assets.  We are grateful for our faithful monthly donors, as well as those who give occasionally.  We continue to be concerned about the long-term financial stability of OCCV, and to seek more effective ways of increasing monthly support.  

REFLECTIONS ON OUR JOURNEY

“Do you not know, have you not heard?  The Lord, the everlasting God, creator of the wide world, grows neither weary nor faint; no man can fathom his understanding.  He gives vigor to the weary, new strength to the exhausted… those who look to the Lord will win new strength, they will grow wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will march on and never grow faint.”  Isaiah 40:29-31

Our country, our state has experienced troubled times during this last year.  The stresses of COVID, the outrage over the killing of George Floyd and other African Americans that led to demonstrations on our streets that at times turned violent, the ongoing systemic racism so starkly revealed.  Our strength to continue the work comes from God, who never grows weary, who sustains us, guides us and continues to call us to speak out for those who are most in need, whose voices need ours to join with them in seeking justice, dignity for all and for the healing of all His creation.

We are also strengthened and encouraged by each other, and by the like-minded organizations with whom we collaborate.  During this year, when so many suffered the loss of basic safety and health needs, to be engaged with others who were seeking to alleviate suffering was itself sustaining, life-giving.  We are privileged to be able to express our faith values as we give of ourselves for the sake of God’s Kingdom, which He longs for all to experience here on earth.