The Social Concerns Committee
of the South Coast Interfaith Council (SCIC)

The Social Concerns Committee of the South Coast Interfaith Council organizes forums, holds public meetings, analyses issues and plans advocacy work related to its Priority Goals.  The committee also advises the SCIC’s  Board of Directors about social issues and works with a variety of organizations, committees and groups.  The committee meets on the second Monday of each month (except July and December) at 7:00 PM at locations made available by the faith communities affiliated with the SCIC.  For information about upcoming events, recent committee work, and new developments, please email Jane Affonso.

Priority Goals

 1.  Hunger and Homelessness – give increased attention to homelessness, surveying governmental and volunteer efforts in ten or more South Coast cities and organizing forums in support of aid to the homeless; publicize CROP Hunger Walks and promote wide participation; and bring attention to local farmers markets and encourage greater patronage. Click on: Hunger and Homelessness

 2.  At-Risk Children & Youth - help increase awareness of and support for at-risk children and youth, including (1) recruitment of foster and adoptive parents and mentors for foster children and children who have an incarcerated parent, (2) disseminating information about services for foster children, and (3) working with congregations and neighborhoods to provide alternatives to gangs, to reduce racism and to create respect for the dignity of every human being. Click on: At-Risk Children & Youth

 3.  Stewardship and Care of the Environment – educate our communities about global warming and work with environmental, community, and regional/national organizations to provide public information, analysis and advocacy about plans for reducing port pollution and also concerning plans for expanding good movement facilities and infrastructure.  Click on:  Stewardship and Care of the Environment

4. Becoming Peacemakers – work for inner peace, peace within families and our communities as we as world peace, in collaboration with the Peacemaking Subcommittee at Pacific Unitarian Church and other similar groups; provide information about policies for promoting peace and also about threats to peace.  Click on: Becoming Peacemakers

 5.  Darfur and Sub-Saharan Africa – promote support for U.S. governmental and charitable aid to alleviate (1) continuing genocide, atrocities and massive dislocations in Darfur and (2) AIDS, civil strife, extreme poverty and lack of access to healthcare and education in Sub-Saharan Africa; and pursue opportunities to create linkages with peoples of East Africa and other African people.  Click on:  Darfur and Sub-Saharan Africa

Additionally, the Social Concerns Committee publicizes opportunities for congregations to receive training about Emergency Preparedness. In addition, the committee will also address other issues that come to its attention.

Further information about the mission of the Social Concerns Committee and how it operates is given in more about the Social Concerns Committee.