Economic Security
Homeowners remain hopeful as Massachusetts AG sues big banks

December 6, 2011

PICO National Network, Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN)

After months of pressing the state attorney general for a strong settlement with big banks, the Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN) is hopeful that relief is on the way for struggling homeowners.

Lifelines to Healing
PICO Network Launches National Campaign to Promote Education and Decrease Violence

November 16, 2011

PICO National Network

More than 2,000, including the mayor and police chief, attended the Kick-off Rally for Lifelines to Healing in New Orleans. If you missed the action, you can watch the entire event here.

PICO California statement in support of a proposal to raise state revenue

December 2, 2011

PICO California

PICO California joined with community and labor groups around the state in supporting the concept of a tax on top tier earners in California in order to begin the critical process of reinvesting in California.

Lifelines to Healing
New Report Spotlights Private Prison Efforts to Increase Incarceration - and Maximize Profits

November 15, 2011

A new report from PICO and Public Campaign shows the unholy alliance between private prison companies and elected officials.

Faith Leaders Pledge to Preach and Organize to Increase Economic and Racial Justice

November 11, 2011

PICO National Network

Hundreds of clergy from across the country are expected to attend the PICO National Clergy Gathering in New Orleans this November 14-17.

Economic Security
The New Bottom Line and the PICO National Network announce a nationwide "Move Our Money" campaign.

November 1, 2011

PICO National Network

The New Bottom Line and its partners, including the PICO National Network recently announced a nationwide "Move Our Money" campaign. The goal is to move $1 billion from big banks.

Immigration Reform
Florida Federation Saves Father from Deportation

October 14, 2011

Federation of Congregations United to Serve (FOCUS)

Hector Manuel Maniau had just taken his daughter to school when he was picked up and detained by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Economic Security
PICO's newest federation to bring jobs, hope and POWER to Philadelphia

September 27, 2011

Health Care Access
New Jersey Governor Approves Hot Spot Health Collaborations

September 13, 2011

Camden Churches Organized for People (CCOP)

CCOP leaders celebrate legislation that allows non-profits to become healthcare facilities.

Immigration Reform
The PICO National Network Applauds the Obama Administration on New Immigration Policy

August 19, 2011

DHS announces they will halt deportation proceedings on a case-by-case basis.

Economic Security
CCO Payday Loan Fight is One Step Closer to the 2012 Ballot

August 12, 2011

Communities Creating Opportunity Kansas (CCO Kansas)

Kansas City CCO organizes to lower the payday loan interest rate from 400 percent to 36 percent.

Immigration Reform
DREAMERS Speak Up for Immigration Reform

July 29, 2011

PICO National Network

A delegation of PICO leaders went to Washington, D.C. to tell public officials that young people who were brought to the U.S. as children should not be detained in federal detention centers, deported or denied access to education and employment opportunities.

Health Care Access
Faith Leaders Tell Senate that Medicaid Matters

July 13, 2011

PICO National Network

More than 300 leaders join with Senators Franken, Whitehouse and McCaskill to stand in support of Medicaid.

Housing Opportunities
Treasury to require banks provide unemployed homeowners 12 months of relief

July 7, 2011

Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC), PICO Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN), PICO National Network

Today's action is yet another step toward breaking the link in America between losing your job and losing your home. A big win for American families.

Housing Opportunities, Economic Security
PICO's Foreclosure Work Makes Front Page of NY Times; Treasury Dept. Announces Financial Sanctions Against Banks

June 9, 2011

PICO National Network

In less than a week, PICO's work to win relief for unemployed homeowners makes front page of New York Times and the Obama Administration finally announces financial sanctions against Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Chase for failing to meet the basic requirements of the federal foreclosure prevention program.

Economic Security
Florida Clergy, Faith Leaders Tell AG Bondi: Stop Siding with Wall Street Banks

May 26, 2011

PICO United Florida

More than 70 clergy, faith leaders, and homeowners from across Florida hold a prayer vigil outside the office of Attorney General Pam Bondi to urge her to support families and not big banks.

Safe Neighborhoods
Sr. Helen Prejean comes to St. Columba to "Affirm Life" & District 2 Community Members Walk for a Safer Community

May 16, 2011

Oakland Community Organizations (OCO)

Oakland Community Organization (OCO) held two back to back events to both promote life and prevent violence.

School Improvement, Youth Development
Parents from Hoover Elementary Hold "Support Our West Oakland Teachers" Action

May 10, 2011

Oakland Community Organizations (OCO)

OCO Leaders asked District 3 Oakland Unified School District Board Member (OUSD) Board Member Jumoke Hinton-Hodge and OUSD Spokesperson Troy Flint to make commitments to the West Oakland community.

Immigration Reform
PICO East Bay Leaders, Rep. Luis Gutierrez Come Together in Oakland to Call for Administrative Relief for Immigrants

May 6, 2011

Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action (BOCA), Congregations Organizing for Renewal (COR), Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO), Oakland Community Organizations (OCO)

More than 1,200 East Bay area faith leaders call on the President to halt unnecessary deportations.

Economic Security, Youth Development
Mayor of Allentown commits to help create 25 new jobs for Allentown teens

May 5, 2011

Congregations United for Neighborhood Action (CUNA)

100 residents, local teens, and faith leaders from across the city of Allentown as part of Congregations United for Neighborhood Action (CUNA) met with Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski to both present a pilot initiative to put more Allentown teens to work this summer and to ask the Mayor to help lead the charge.

School Improvement, Youth Development
Union City celebrates the opening of a new community-designed small school

May 4, 2011

Congregations Organizing for Renewal (COR)

COR leaders, parents, students, and community members, in collaboration with New Haven Unified School District are celebrating as they wrap up enrollment for students of the Institute of Community Leaders (ICL) for fall 2011.

Housing Opportunities, Economic Security
Clergy, homeowners speak directly to Wells Fargo CEO & call for foreclosure moratorium

May 4, 2011

Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO), Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC), Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), People Acting in Community Together (PACT San Jose), PICO National Network

"If you believe in the same God as I do, then you will stop the foreclosure madness right now." These words rang out yesterday in front of a hushed audience, as Rev. Dr. Mario Howell, pastor of Antioch Church Family and a clergy leader with PICO affiliate CCISCO (Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization), spoke directly to Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf at the bank's annual shareholders gathering in San Francisco.

School Improvement, Youth Development
Parents, Students, Teachers, Principals, and Classified Staff Join Together to "Save Our Schools"

May 3, 2011

Oakland Community Organizations (OCO)

Earlier this month Oakland Community Organization held a "Save Our Schools" Action at the Cesar Chavez Learning Center on International Blvd. 1,500 parents, students, teachers, principals, and classified staff attended the event.

Economic Security
PICO releases Pro-Family Deficit Reduction Plan

May 2, 2011

PICO National Network

The debate over the federal deficit is not just about dollars and cents. It is about who we are as a nation, the opportunities we all have to live better lives, and the covenant that binds us together.

Immigration Reform
Change Takes Courage: Peninsula Interfaith Action supports visit by Congressman Gutierrez

April 27, 2011

Peninsula Interfaith Action (PIA)

Dozens of leaders from Peninsula Interfaith Action (PIA) joined with partner organizations in Redwood City, CA to host a visit by Congressman Luis Gutierrez at El Buen Pastor / St. Peter Episcopal Church.

Immigration Reform
Hope for our broken immigration system

April 14, 2011

Metro Organizations for People (MOP)

MOP is helping to lead the Higher Education Access Alliance whose goal is to pass this legislation for Colorado youth. The bill is expected to successfully pass out of the Colorado Senate this Friday, but faces a much tougher challenge in the Colorado House.

Economic Security, Safe Neighborhoods, Youth Development
United Interfaith Action presses officials to support public programs

April 5, 2011

United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts (UIA)

United Interfaith Action organized a public action with local, state and national public officials to urge support for funding for violence prevention and youth jobs programs.

Safe Neighborhoods, Youth Development
United Interfaith Action meets, lobbies to protect public programs

April 3, 2011

United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts (UIA)

United Interfaith Action hosted a public action to push for safer streets, reduced youth violence and gang involvement, and increased job opportunities for young people.

Health Care Access
Vermont Interfaith Leaders strive to have first Universal Single Payer Plan

March 31, 2011

Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA)

Green Mountain Care promises to be the first in the nation truly universal, single payer plan for health care, if leaders at Vermont Interfaith Action and their allies have their way.

Housing Opportunities, Economic Security
PICO Presses Attorneys General for Strong Settlement to Help Struggling Homeowners

March 31, 2011

PICO National Network

With the state Attorneys General beginning negotiations this week with the nation's largest banks to resolve the foreclosure fraud scandal, PICO homeowners and community leaders continue to press for a strong settlement that would require banks to do millions of additional loan modifications for qualified borrowers.

Health Care Access
Bring Health Reform Home events mark new health law

March 28, 2011

Brooklyn Congregations United (BCU), Camden Churches Organized for People (CCOP), Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO), Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO), Federation of Congregations United to Serve (FOCUS), Metro Organizations for People (MOP), The Micah Project, San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP)

More than 1,000 people gathered in events across eights cities to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and build support for providing better and more cost-effective care in local communities.

Health Care Access
Brooklyn Congregations United joins Community Members to Mark One-Year Anniversary ACA

March 23, 2011

Brooklyn Congregations United (BCU)

In commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Brooklyn Congregations United, Lutheran HealthCare and community members, gathered for a press conference to announce important local advances in implementing the new health care law.

Health Care Access
New radio ads mark health law anniversary

March 21, 2011

Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO), Federation of Congregations United to Serve (FOCUS), The Micah Project, PICO National Network

To mark the one-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, PICO National Network and Faithful America launched an ad campaign with radio spots on the air in four media markets (Denver, Kansas City, New Orleans and Orlando).

Housing Opportunities, Economic Security
California Groups Launch Campaign to Make Wall Street Pay Their Fair Share

March 20, 2011

Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), PICO California

During the week of March 14, PICO California, together with allies at ACCE, California Reinvestment Coalition and SEIU, launched a statewide campaign to pass a package of new state legislation aimed at protecting homeowners from fraudulent bank foreclosure practices.

Other Issues
Faith in Action declares “Let the people’s voice be heard.”

March 16, 2011

Congregations Building Community (CBC), Faith in Action Kern County, Faith in Community

FIA held a press conference to highlight the importance of "letting the voters voice be heard" and submitted approximately 200 signatures from concerned constituents to each with a signed letter highlighting their concerns.

Housing Opportunities, Economic Security
PICO CA Leaders Tell Big Banks: "Pay Your Fair Share"

March 16, 2011

Faith in Community, Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC), Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), PICO California

Build support for state legislation to protect homeowners from fraudulent bank foreclosure practices and make banks pay their fair share for the housing and foreclosure crisis that has devastated the budgets of families, local communities, and the state.

Safe Neighborhoods
National Lifelines Training and Gathering

March 15, 2011

Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action (BOCA), Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC), Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO), Congregations Organizing for Renewal (COR), Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO), Flint Area Congregations Together (FACT), Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP), San Francisco Organizing Project (SFOP)

On March 9-11 over 120 PICO clergy, leaders and staff from 16 affiliates from across the country convened in Oakland, CA for the first National Lifelines Training and Gathering.

Housing Opportunities, Economic Security
New York Federations Support the NYC Responsible Banking Act

March 9, 2011

Brooklyn Congregations United (BCU), Queens Congregations United for Action (QCUA)

Queens Congregations United for Action joined Brooklyn Congregations United, other Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development members and NEDAP to support Council Member Dominic Recchia and Council Member Al Vann's legislation.

Safe Neighborhoods
The MICAH Project Lays Out a Comprehensive Quality of Life Plan for New Orleans

March 8, 2011

The Micah Project

More than 350 people filled the pews at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, for the "We Are All in This Together" community action organized by the MICAH Project.

Housing Opportunities, Economic Security
PICO Rallies Attorneys General to hold banks accountable

March 8, 2011

Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO), Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), People Acting in Community Together (PACT San Jose)

On Monday, a delegation of 12 PICO leaders joined 600 people from National People's Action for a series of actions on the Attorneys General conference, Bank of America and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Youth Development
Massachusetts federation organizes 1000 youth to rally inside State House for increased youth jobs funding

February 28, 2011

Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC), Essex County Community Organization (ECCO), Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN)

On Thursday, February 24 over 1,000 youth from 15 communities and 60 organizations across Massachusetts marched on the Massachusetts state capitol, held a rally inside the State House where Governor Deval Patrick pledged support for increased youth jobs funding, and then held meetings with their state legislators.

Health Care Access
PICO leaders come to DC to win healthcare investment for their communities

February 25, 2011

Camden Churches Organized for People (CCOP), PICO National Network

Twenty PICO leaders and organizers from eight communities gathered in Washington DC following this Presidents Day weekend to hold important meetings with the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Innovation and other key allies, including the Campaign for Better Care, SEIU, and the Catholic Health Association.

School Improvement
PICO Leaders gather in Oakland for National Organizing Conference

February 14, 2011

Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO), PICO California

Leaders and staff visited schools in Oakland to learn more about creating great schools and will bring back to their local federation examples and ideas to build good local organizing work.

Health Care Access
Florida Senate Health Regulation Committee votes unanimously to pass KidCare lunch bill

February 9, 2011

Federation of Congregations United to Serve (FOCUS), PICO United Florida

Presentations were made by Jose Salazar of St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Kissimmee, Rev. Charley Banks of FOCUS in Orlando, and David Nessl of the ACTION Network in Gainesville.

School Improvement, Youth Development
PICO National Education Organizing Research meetings in Washington

February 2, 2011

Congregations Organizing for Renewal (COR), Metro Organizations for People (MOP), Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), People Acting in Community Together (PACT San Jose), PICO California, Sacramento Area Congregations Together (ACT)

A group of 10 PICO leaders and staff participated in two days of research in Washington, D.C. on January 24 & 25, 2011

Safe Neighborhoods, Neighborhood Revitalization
PACT San Jose holds Community Action with Mayor Reed

February 2, 2011

People Acting in Community Together (PACT San Jose)

With 7 murders in just the first few weeks of 2011, PACT faith and grassroots community leaders are calling on City leaders to make the rebuilding of community-police trust a top priority for protecting public safety in San Jos\xc3\xa9.

Health Care Access
Working Interfaith Network shares benefits of Affordable Care Act with faith communities

February 2, 2011

Working Interfaith Network (WIN)

WIN Healthcare Team members met at the Mount Pilgrim Baptist church to continue the development and implementation of a six month strategic plan to help congregants and communities understand the impact of the Affordable Healthcare Act.

Health Care Access
Honoring Martin Luther King Day by supporting health reform

January 16, 2011

PICO National Network

PICO federations are holding events and participating in educational activities focused on eliminating health care disparities and opposing efforts to repeal the new health reform law.