My fellow pastor and I pass along the gray walls of our county jail and descend to the bottom floor. Each time I cross this threshold—after handing my badge to the attendant and stretching my arms to be patted down—my body still acts like I’m descending into hostile territory. Here, I’m more …
A Pastor’s Experience in Alligator Alcatraz
Christina Foor is joined by Pastor Wilber Marenco, who shares his story of detention in the South Florida Detention Facility, also known as Alligator Alcatraz. He shares his story of migration, reflects on his church’s response in this moment, and how this experience of detainment has affected him, …
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Counting the Cost of Reentry
I spent about ten years of my life incarcerated. Not all at once, but in pieces: going in, getting out, and going right back in again. That cycle is something people like to talk about in statistics, but living it is different. It’s not just bad decisions or bad luck—it’s the way the system was …
Advocacy by CCDA Members in Florida
CCDA Central Florida Network Connector and Cohort 9 member, Megan Ginn, represented CCDA at a press conference calling for compassion, dignity, and respect for due process while affirming the God-given dignity of immigrants as vital members of our churches and communities. She beautifully …
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The Borderlands, Restored!
There are summer days in El Paso when it gets so hot that the sky crumbles into rain. It seems to come out of nowhere. That day, the sky was getting cloudy, then darker, as we drove the 15 minutes out to Sunland. On the Juárez side, they beat us to the spot. We arrived along with another car driven …
Confronting Narratives about AAPI People
Elizabeth Cronlund is joined by Marie Moy to confront some common narratives about Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. They take a look at some of the history of AAPI in the United States, and reflect on the ways that history informs where we find ourselves today. They also share some …
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Civic Engagement During August Recess
Each August, U.S. Senators and Representatives leave Washington, DC, to return to their home districts. During August Recess, many congresspeople meet with constituents through town halls and other community events. This is a wonderful time to meet with these lawmakers and advocate for the needs in …
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Learning to Abide
This post is part of CCDA's Mental Health Awareness Month. CCDA has a plethora of options to increase your mental health support, and we are constantly adding new resources to help you and your community flourish. Join us for an event, complete the Mental Health Survey, or download the Mental …
