Learning peace and justice

Good Shepherd Volunteers (GSVs) toured the United Nations headquarters in New York City recently, where they were introduced to the work of the Good Shepherd International Peace and Justice Office. The GSVs also held a fundraising event in downtown New York City called “Food for Thought.” The event focused on healthy eating on a limited budget.

The Good Shepherd Volunteers recently paid a visit to the United Nations for a guided tour through the headquarters in New York City. They learned about the history and structure of the UN and its iconic buildings and Council Chambers.

After the tour, the GSVs were introduced to the work of the Good Shepherd International Peace and Justice Office (GSIPJ Office). They met with Sr. Winifred Doherty and Sr. Clare Nolan of the GSIPJ Office team. It was an opportunity for the Good Shepherd Volunteers to engage in discussion about the social justice work the Good Shepherd Sisters are doing around the world in areas of human trafficking, poverty, advocacy for children and girls, and economic justice.

Food for Thought

peace and justice
Good Shepherd Volunteers Emily Cooper and Noora Siddiqui hold the Five Bean Soup Jars that were a gift to each guest and volunteer working the silent auction table.

Good Shepherd Volunteers hosted a fundraiser in December in downtown New York City that focused on food. The event, titled “Food for Thought,” included guest presenters who inspired, motivated and challenged guests to think about food in a new way.

Good Shepherd Volunteers places full-time volunteers in New York City and around the world to serve women and children who have been victims of poverty, violence and neglect. Volunteers work in a variety of fields such as education, youth counseling, foster care and domestic violence. During their year of service the volunteers live on a very modest stipend and learn to work within a tight food budget. The GSV alumni who have lived in simplicity over the years came up with the idea for the Food for Thought fundraiser.

“Living in voluntary simplicity, our volunteers must find resourceful ways to eat healthy and cheap. This teaches them about food justice in their communities,” said Jenna Dato-on, Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator for Good Shepherd Volunteers.

Guests at the event engaged in topics about food justice, seasonal food preserving and eating healthy on a budget. Volunteers, alumni, staff, presenters, sponsors and guests turned out in large numbers to make the event a huge success.

Jeanette McDermott

Jeanette McDermott

Jeanette is the Communications Coordinator for Sisters of the Good Shepherd Province of Mid-North America. She is a career photojournalist who has served in various capacities of print, broadcast, and corporate communications. Jeanette is devoted to creation and is particularly focused on saving pollinators and other wildlife species and their habitat. She is an ethical vegan and created the website veganstoryteller.com