As a child, Juan and his family immigrated from Mexico to the US. For several years, they were together. He felt safe in the protection of his family. But when he was 14, his dad was deported, and soon after his mom returned to Mexico as well. Juan stayed. As a young teenager, Juan was [...]Read More
Answering the Call: Rooted and Ready
By Noel Castellanos Over the last 30 years, CCDA has been a catalyst for envisioning and encouraging leaders like myself to follow God’s calling to work among the poor throughout our nation. The organization has taught me about the three R’s and 8 Key Components of CCDA. I was exposed to other [...]Read More
Answering the Call: a Lesson in Resilience
Noel Castellanos In 1989, I was living in San Jose, California where I worked in ministry with Latino youth. Like many leaders in urban communities, I was struggling to establish a ministry that was both relevant and impactful. I came to realize there were needs in the community to be addressed, [...]Read More
Networking Sessions: A Unique & Intimate Experience
by Heather Beaudoin As a CCDA member and staff member of Equal Justice USA, I’ve been incredibly grateful to CCDA for giving us the opportunity to host a networking session during the annual national conference. This will mark the 4th year that we’ve hosted a networking session, and looking back, [...]Read More
Woke … to “Grace”
Psalm 51:1 – “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion. The Magdalen, a Garden and This by Kathleen O’Toole She who is known by myth and association as sinful, penitent, voluptuous perhaps... but faithful to the last and then beyond. A [...]Read More
Woke…to “the Struggle”
Presta Atenciõn! The Lenten Journey of Attention Psalm 121:1-2 I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Saint Kateri was the first Native American woman to be canonized. She was daughter of a Mohawk chief and an [...]Read More
Woke … to “Disciplined Love”
During the fourth week of this Lenten season, we reflect on a disciplined love. "We must live by the love of what we will never see..." … and we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character hope, and hope does not disappoint us … Romans [...]Read More
Woke… to “Seeing”
But a Samaritan (foreigner), who was traveling, came upon him; and when he saw him, he was deeply moved with compassion [for him]. — Luke 10:33, Amplified Bible (AMP) Kindness By Naomi Shihab Nye Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things, feel the future dissolve in a [...]Read More