FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday February 23, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT
Cecilia Flores, Executive Director, Catholic Volunteer Network
cflores@catholicvolunteernetwork.org

Statement of Support of Annunciation House and Faith Based Service Providers

WASHINGTON, DC – We, the Catholic Volunteer Network (CVN), express our unwavering support of Annunciation House, who we are proud to count among our members.

For over 45 years, Annunciation House has been a safe haven for people living in poverty in the El Paso community. Founded by a group of young adults compelled by their faith to serve the underserved, Annunciation House provides essential services to people who find themselves at the margins of society and lacking their most basic human needs. Their work is a beautiful example of how in the midst of abject human suffering, compassion has the ability to restore hope and dignity for those who have been subjected to dehumanization at the hands of broken systems.

As a network of almost 100 faith-based service organizations from across the United States, we are a community inspired by our faith values to love our neighbors as ourselves, expressed through service. Annunciation House is only one example of the positive impact faith-based service has on a very local level. Though immigration continues to be a divisive issue across the country, we know that political d vision and tension often results in negative impact on communities who are already experiencing immense suffering. It is deplorable that an organization committed to service would be targeted in this way, and such an attack creates an environment that instills fear in others who may want to seek help or provide help, and weakens the bonds of community.

We stand in solidarity with Annunciation House, and furthermore, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the field of faith-based service. May our standing in solidarity with one another and with those suffering from poverty be a sign of hope and source of inspiration for fostering positive change in our country and in our world.

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