AFSC staff and New Mexico Friends gather at the first annual New Mexico Harvest for Justice reception and fundraiser. Anni Hanna
Dear Friend,
Happy new year and welcome to the winter issue of the AFSC Alumni Newsletter.
Just a few months ago, AFSC New Mexico hosted their inaugural Harvest for Justice reception, where they reconnected with former staff and volunteers. The photo above features the first director of AFSC New Mexico, Luis Torres (second from left), with three members of the 1974 advisory committee, Clark de Schweinitz, David Henkel, and Jerry Ortiz y Pino.
We love to hear the many ways you are connecting with each other across the country. To learn more about our Alumni Network and get in touch with former friends and colleagues, visit our webpage and Facebook group.
With deep appreciation,
Tonya Histand
Director of Public Engagement
Alumni news & notes
In this Facebook webinar, AFSC alumni Ann Naffier, Jody Mashek, Berenice Nava, Cece Martinez, and Erica Johnson joined their colleagues at Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice to recap their vital work in 2022.
Marjorie Nelson died on Dec. 29, in State College. In 1967, Marjorie, a 28-year-old doctor from Indiana, worked at AFSC’s Quang Ngai Rehabilitation Center in Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Marjorie was taken as a prisoner of war. But the accounts she shared of her experience in captivity reminded U.S. audiences of the value of recognizing the humanity in all people, even in times of conflict.
Joseph Gerson recently published this Common Dreams article on the U.S.’s catastrophic confrontation strategy in Ukraine. For decades, Joseph worked for AFSC, most recently serving as director of AFSC's Peace and Economic Security Program in Cambridge, Mass.
Jonis Davis worked for AFSC as a fundraiser for many years before retiring in 2009. Jonis passed away on Nov. 8.
Stephen McNeil was part of AFSC for over 30 years, serving as an administrator, volunteer, and program director. The newly created Stephen McNeil Fellowship will help us organize and lead a new coalition of "Apartheid-Free Communities.” These groups will be committed to exposing and opposing racism and apartheid everywhere, taking a pledge to be "Apartheid-Free.”
Rex Friend, who served on AFSC’s Corporation and the Central Regional Executive Committee, passed away recently.
Gerry Henry worked for AFSC for over 40 years, most recently as the graphic designer. Gerry passed away in early January.
Do you have news to share? Email us today!
Updates from AFSC
In 2022, the California Healing Justice program had several major wins, including two more prisons being announced for closure! After four years of organization and advocacy, the Racial Justice Act to address racial discrimination in the courts was passed. And we joined Care First Coalition and won a victory in the county budget, when officials identified $50 million in new funds for community-based mental health care.
The Salama Hub will convene civil society leaders, regional economic communities, think tanks, academics, private sector, and religious organizations from across the Horn of Africa to identify regional needs and priorities. The Salama Hub will share expertise with national and international policymakers around the world, including the African Union, The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the United Nations.
Colorado Immigrant Rights Program
Jennifer Piper of AFSC Colorado talks with Rocky Mountain PBS about how the city and local community groups are welcoming and supporting migrants who have recently arrived in Denver.
Need reliable retirement income?
Charitable gift annuity rates are now the highest they’ve been in 10 years. A gift annuity pays you reliable income while supporting AFSC’s work for peace and justice. Request an illustration.
Archive dive
Join us on February 15 at 7p.m. ET for a special conversation with historian Tracy E. K’Meyer. Tracy has spent over 15 years studying AFSC’s work on open housing. Last spring, she published “To Live Peaceably Together: The American Friends Service Committee’s Campaign for Open Housing.” Tracy will speak about her research, her new book, and take questions from the audience.
More ways to take action and connect with AFSC:
- Tell President Biden: Uphold the right to asylum!
- Are you interested in receiving life income while supporting AFSC? A gift annuity is easy to arrange. Reach out to GiftPlanning@afsc.org or visit us online.
Thank you for reading our AFSC Alumni Newsletter!