Central Valley IAF's Call to Parishes

Across the Central Valley, many families work long hours yet still struggle to afford the basics of a stable life. Our region continues to experience higher unemployment than much of California, and many available jobs are low-wage or seasonal. Parents often juggle multiple jobs without benefits, while rising housing, food, and transportation costs make it increasingly difficult to support a family with dignity. Parishioners regularly share stories of adult children moving away in search of work, farmworkers and service workers stretched thin, and of young families uncertain whether they can build a future here.

Our Catholic faith calls us to respond to these realities, not only through works of charity, but by working together to shape the conditions that allow families to thrive. Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that dignified, family-sustaining work is essential to human dignity and the common good. In response, a new broad-based People's Organization is forming in the Central Valley to bring together parishes and other community institutions enabling ordinary people to act together to strengthen our local economy and advocate for dignified work.

If you would like to learn more or explore how your parish can engage in this effort, please contact Tim McManus, Senior Organizer with Central Valley IAF, at [email protected]