"Respect Is A Lingering Catalyst For Our Journey." - IPM Connect
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45th Anniversary
A Publication of IPM
November 2019 I Vol. XXVIII – No. 1
FORGING CONNECTIONS
“Respect Is A
Lingering Catalyst
For Our Journey.”
– Sammy Mayer,
IPM Co-Foundress
PAGE 2
Highlights from Our Project Partners in El Salvador, India, Kenya, Nepal, Nicaragua, and the USA
FORGING CONNECTIONS
“Respect Is A Lingering Catalyst For
Our Journey.” – Sammy Mayer, IPM Co-Foundress
The following reflection was written by IPM CEO Joe Cistone at the time of a deep sense of how those who claim to
Sammy Mayer’s passing. It has been edited and updated for inclusion here in follow Jesus of Nazareth are called to live
this special commemorative 45th Anniversary edition of Connections. The title of at a time when many who profess
this piece is taken from Sammy’s writing in 2005. She wrote the following words Christianity are rightly mocked for living
and speaking in complete contradiction to
about her vision for IPM — they are as powerful and relevant to IPM’s mission
what Jesus taught and how he lived.
and the world in which we live today as they were then.
Literally at the moment the text came
“In contemplating where I am, in this spiritual journey, I feel at peace. In fulfilling telling me of Sammy’s passing we were
this blessing of ‘neighborliness,’ even to my enemy, my attitude is different than it singing the song “Who Is My Mother?”
was. I don’t see my Muslim sister as ‘other’, but one on a journey with me, with which speaks clearly to the values of the
whom I can hold hands and say, together we can make a difference in this Abrahamic traditions, Buddhism, Hinduism,
place…how we can together, people of faith in a God who cares, bring solace and so many other spiritual traditions.
and help…how we can together show love and solidarity. She may speak of her “Who is my mother, who is my brother…
faith and I of mine, but we will know that RESPECT IS A LINGERING CATALYST Spirit blown people…differently abled,
differently labeled…crutches and stigmas,
FOR OUR JOURNEY.”
culture’s enigmas…Love will relate us—
color or status, can’t segregate us…family
One of the most difficult aspects of my role core. I often joked with her that had she
failings, human derailings… all are
with IPM is to share the sad news of those been born closer to my time, she would
accepted…bound by one vision, met for
members of the IPM Family who pass have been the perfect leader for IPM, if not
one mission…we claim each other…here is
away during my tenure. I have done this all a much-needed prophetic Bishop in her
my mother, here is my brother, kindred in
too often but rarely with the sense of deep beloved ELCA denomination!
Spirit…” Words that are the perfect
personal loss as this time.
Born when she was, she found the perfect description of the type of justice,
As many of you know by now—through partner for her passions in Jim and helped righteousness, and shalom to which
personal relationship with the Mayer family, set IPM’s vision and direction in the more Sammy dedicated her life and which IPM
my related email of last Sunday, and the than three decades since his tragic death. seeks to cultivate in all we do.
moving tribute from IPM’s Latin America & She served the IPM International Executive
Some people are simply irreplaceable.
Caribbean Office—IPM Foundress Sammy Board faithfully as a Director and Trustee
Sammy was certainly one of those unique
Mayer passed away peacefully with her Emeritus, was a driving force behind IPM’s
souls. I will miss her as long as I live. I recall
family beside her Sunday morning October Saint Louis Advisory Council, traveled to El
that beautiful twinkle in her eye, feel the
6, at the age of 94. Sammy is survived by Salvador with IPM and her son Jim in 2006,
transcendent compassion of her heartfelt
her eight children, their families, and a host was a founding member of my “kitchen
greetings, and hear her purposeful voice
of loved ones she called her family. She cabinet,” and, welcomed countless IPM
leading me on, as together we imagine
certainly was family to me. Project Partners and International Staff
IPM’s continued, vital role in the world.
Members to her Saint Louis home.
Anyone who was in Sammy’s presence
May the peace that passes all
was unable to not be touched by her. I Her death took me and many by surprise.
understanding be with all of you as you join
have had the privilege to know thousands Frankly, I am still coming to terms with
me in mourning the death of this
of activists, faith leaders, and social what her passing means for me and the
remarkable woman. May we be blessed
change agents during my lifetime and few IPM Family, but I feel her spirit guiding and
with the continued courage to hold firm to
could rival her commitment, courage, and inspiring us in all we do. We lost a
the truth that Sammy embodied in all we
passion. She was a mentor, friend, and my remarkable woman who was a source of
do and whenever we utter her beloved
“Saint Louis Mother.” We spent countless deep and consistent inspiration. Every time
name.
late nights together discussing IPM’s she began to speak at an IPM gathering
direction and praying for guidance together the room went quiet. It was as if the world In faith and love, Joe
as IPM sought to deepen and expand the stood still and God’s Divine Spirit was
vital mission Sammy helped birth there among us, speaking through Sammy, Joseph F. Cistone
alongside her beloved Jim after years with a vision for the way the world—and Chief Executive Officer
spent together in service among the IPM—ought to be.
people of India.
I learned of her death while celebrating
Sammy was a forceful woman of worship among my Faith Community.
unmistakable talent who was in some ways Sammy “had my back” as IPM transitioned
born too soon. She was brilliant, fearless, from an Ecumenical to Multi-Faith
radical in the best sense, and honest to the organization during my tenure. We shared ON THE COVER: Sammy Mayer, IPM Co-Foundress
2 www.ipmconnect.org
RESPECTING LEADERSHIP
Board Profile – Xenia Chevez WHERE IPM SHOULD BE HEADING:
IPM in its transformative organization, that
with firm commitment to projects,
Xenia is a member of IPM’s International empowers and gives a true sense of
belonging to women, girls, youth and
Executive Board and currently serves as
communities. IPM should continue
the Regional Vice Chair for Latin providing opportunities of training in
America & the Caribbean different skills and competences so that
every person inside a community can
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: continue to create, undertake, and act for
Early in my professional career, I was a their own development and flourish in a
volunteer teacher in secondary education dignified way.
and an adult education program. I am a
nutritionist by profession. I have dedicated I am greatly motivated by the new
myself to promoting community health governance structure, allowing other
throughout five departments (states) in Partner members to be integrated,
Nicaragua. I specialize in alternative enabling us to know Project Partner needs
therapies of holistic medicine. I did my Xenia Chevez in Nicaragua and priorities in order to design and
professional work in Applied Community implement better solutions.
Nutrition coordinating SISVAN (Nutrition
Surveillance Systems) at the national level MY HOPE FOR IPM:
with the WFP (World Food Program) and I hope IPM continues to plant seeds of love
MINSA (Nicaragua Ministry of Health), and hope for the most vulnerable, and to
serving children under the age of five. bear fruit of well-being, peace, and justice
in many lives.
I worked as a consultant for socio-
economic studies of ethnic groups in the The increase of Immersion Experiences,
autonomous Atlantic region, with Kepa because it allows true encounters between
IPM Board Meeting November 2019 at longtime
Finland, Diagnosis of the Food Situation - people, providing a sense of unity and
Community Partner, Forest Hill Presbyterian Church,
Nutritional with the FACS (Fundación Aug harmony, beyond the borders.
Cleveland Heights, OH
usto César Sandino), and as Coordinator of
the Nutrition and Natural Medicine I see IPM setting as a model of effective
I understood the injustices experienced by
Program in Woman and Community Free and lasting partnership with Project
those in poverty, the inequalities and social
San Francisco. Partners around the region and
exclusion that lose the value of hope, and
implantation of a revolving loan program.
I complemented my work experiences in the injustices of abandoning the poor in
their poverty and marginalization. This
small business management, which FAMILY AND HOBBIES:
allowed me to coordinate the economic guided my vocation, a priority and urgency
My greatest blessings are my family and
projects with thirty women of the same to break with this vicious cycle of hunger
my parents that I still enjoy very much. My
organization. As I finished professional and poverty with a woman’s face.
spouse, William, is a theologian and
courses in “Systemic Approach to Project therefore my spiritual life is strengthened in
Since then, my job is a grateful service and
Management” and “Women’s Economic the spaces we share together from his
opportunity to give as much as I have
Empowerment” at the University of passionate and selfless pastoral and social
received. Now at CEPROSI, we continue
Women Meeting Point twelve years ago, I exercise. He is my great friend and ally, his
these efforts for women, families, youth
founded the nonprofit Ceprosi Women’s support has been unconditional, as the
and community to promote life, their rights
Association with other colleagues. I co-founder of CEPROSI and throughout
and dignity. We are convinced that this
currently serve as Coordinator and the life of the organization. We have two
change is possible from the people and the
Facilitator, implementing gender-inclusive extraordinary daughters; Wendy, 21, is
work we do from the collective. As Howard
development projects in five Nindiri- finishing the last year of her career in
Zinn says, “We make a difference in small
Masaya communities. international relations, and Gilliam, 12, is
actions and that where some form of
injustice has been repaired, it has been starting her high school studies this year.
PERSONAL LIFE STATEMENT/MISSION:
because people have acted as citizens.”
At the end of high school, my school sent I like healthy food, my favorite herb is
me to provide my social services cutting spinach leaves, although I’m not a good
SKILLS/INTERESTS I BRING TO IPM:
coffee in rural areas of Matagalpa. During cook. I love plants and I also grow them, I
I bring to IPM organizational, participatory-
my stay, I was with a family in a situation like to listen to music, especially folklore. I
community experience and collective skills
that completely impacted my life; a young also like to dance to it. I always look
in monitoring local development funds. I
woman’s 10-month-old son was in a state forward to going to Masaya to enjoy the
am excited about the implementation of
of starvation. I knew her drastic poverty marimba (a Latin-American instrument).
the new partnership model in consensus
and vulnerable condition as a woman;
with other people defining the path that Xenia Chevez,
something that surpassed the level of
allows us to strengthen IPM, Projects IPM’s International Executive Board
poverty that I lived in my childhood with
Partners, managers, friends, collaborators Member and Regional Vice Chair for Latin
my parents of humble origin.
and generous people that contribute to America & the Caribbean
making IPM’s work possible.
www.ipmconnect.org 3
IPM Annual Luncheon Celebrates
Northeast Ohio’s Commitment to
Environmental Justice
On November 13, 2019, IPM’s Annual Luncheon at
Tremont Cityside Ballroom (Cleveland) addressed
Northeast Ohio’s commitment to environmental justice
and the ways our current global reality is impacting IPM
Project Partners. The luncheon featured a panel
discussion on Environmental Justice entitled: The
Disproportional Effects of Climate Change on
Community Development Across Borders. The panel
consisted of a cross cultural conversation between
Cleveland community leaders and IPM’s Regional
Directors from El Salvador and India. Annual Award Luncheon 2019 at Tremont Cityside Ballroom
Case Western Reserve University’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School
IPM Annual Award Luncheon 2019 of Applied Social Sciences LINK students and Director Kim McFarlin at the
Annual Award Luncheon 2019
Luncheon Panelists and Moderator from left to right: David Beach, Destinee
Henton, Mahesh Upadhyaya, and Adela Zayas at the Annual Award
Luncheon 2019
Linda Panther and GINN Academy students at the Annual Award
Luncheon 2019
4 www.ipmconnect.org
Annual Saint Louis Donor Appreciation
2019 HONOREES: Luncheon on May 10, 2019
Reverend Richard E. Sering Award:
Paul Neundorfer, Co-Founder of The Celebrating 45 Years As A Catalyst For
Refugee Response
Inspiring Change, Social Justice, & Equity
IPM was delighted to begin our series of celebratory 45th Anniversary
events in Saint Louis, Missouri, the city of our founding where it all began on
May 10, 1974!
Held in conjunction with IPM’s International Executive Board meeting, we were
grateful to celebrate this milestone occasion at our Annual Luncheon surrounded by
IPM’s long-standing friends and cherished supporters. We were particularly
Paul Neundorfer pictured third from left with The humbled this year to recognize our 2019 Honorees: Emily Egan, Larry Sehy, and the
Refugee Response Team fourteen children and families of IPM Co-Founders, Jim & Sammy Mayer and Paul &
Vercile Strege, for their unwavering dedication, faith, and inspiring support to IPM’s
mission nurturing justice, peace, and hope in our world.
David N. Westcott Outstanding
Volunteer Award: Anne Sowell,
Longtime IPM Volunteer also volunteers
her time at MetroHealth NICU Unit
2019 Honorees Emily Egan & Larry Sehy (above left) and members of the Mayer-Strege Families at
Anne Sowell receiving her award at the Annual IPM’s 45th Anniversary Celebration in Saint Louis, Missouri, May 10, 2019
Award Luncheon 2019
Kathleen T. Mink Project Partner
Award: Arthumka Community
Development Program, Nepal
2019 Honorees: The fourteen children and families of
IPM Co-Founders Jim & Sammy Mayer and Paul &
IPM’s Annual Saint Louis Donor Appreciation Vercile Strege.
Luncheon included an engaging and powerful
panel discussion with local community partners
and friends reflecting on their experience
Mahesh Upadhyaya (pictured third from left), working to be catalysts for inspiring change,
Regional Director, South Asia received award on social justice, and equity in today’s challenging
Arthumka’s behalf political climate.
www.ipmconnect.org 5
IPM’s II INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGHLIGHTS
Nurturing Hope for a World
Grounded in Justice and Love
Charting IPM’s Strategic Direction and Goals for 2019-2022
IPM’s October 8-12, 2018 II General During the II IGA, IPM partnered once again (as we
Assembly (IGA) in Cleveland was a do monthly) with The City Club of Cleveland, the
reminder of just how much is possible Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Global Cleveland
when we are able to spend time together, and others for The Happy Dog Forum on Migration
Stories from El Salvador, Nicaragua, and the USA.
face-to-face and hand-in-hand. Whether
The forum featured a compelling conversation on
we hailed from South Asia or Sub Saharan why the maintenance of DACA & Temporarily
Africa, the Americas or Europe, we knew Protected Status is so crucial to IPM’s Project
(and know!) that the world needs just the Partners. As part of our IGA programming, IPM Board
sort of person-to-person connection that Member Xenia Chevez and IPM Regional Director for
IPM has been nurturing for 45 years. Latin America & the Caribbean Fatima Pacas offered
their powerful perspectives on this topic.
Held in conjunction with IPM’s 44th
Anniversary, this quadrennial gathering of
IPM’s International Board, Project Partners,
Staff, Community Partners, Donors, and
Friends engaged thousands of people across
the globe for a week-long series of powerful
community events, educational programming,
and Strategic Planning sessions to chart our
direction as we plan for the future. Co-hosted
by the Cleveland City Club and a number of IPM’s II International General Assembly delegates and
local academic and community partners, the friends gather for our concluding session at the Amistad
IGA included a series of internal discussion and Chapel, United Church of Christ headquarters.
public forums across our community focusing
upon environmental justice, human trafficking,
inter-faith cooperation, protecting the human IPM was thrilled to welcome
rights of women and girls, racial justice, and internationally acclaimed writer, film
refugee and migration issues. Each of these producer, and social justice activist
topics holds crucial importance to IPM’s work, Oscar Torres as the IGA keynote speaker
as well as for each of us, an interconnected at Case Western Reserve University’s
global community. Jack, Joseph, & Morton Mandel
Community Center on October 10, 2018.
Thank you to all our remarkable IGA Delegates, IGA Panel Respondents at The Cleveland Foundation Mr. Torres described life as a child living
Friends, Program Participants, and Sponsors explored “The Impact of Engagement” highlighting a through the El Salvadoran war in the
who generously shared their time, talents, number of cross-border partnerships between Northeast 1980s. Through his biographical film
extraordinary commitment, and support as we Ohio philanthropic partners and Project Partners around “Innocent Voices” (2005), a film that
continue to refine, strengthen, and chart IPM’s the world. went on to win over 70 national and
strategic direction and goals for 2019-2022. international awards), Oscar’s story
brings to light the question so often
Perhaps no area has seen as much growth and asked in the midst of our current political
more ably allowed IPM to live out our vision climate in America: What causes a
of global solidarity through accompaniment refugee crisis, and what is our role in it
than IPM’s signature Immersion Experience all? Above photo, Oscar (front right) with
Program. Since the program’s beginning in IPM Board, Staff, & Project Partners.
2003, more than 2,268 persons have traveled
with IPM on more than 251 immersions to
IGA Panel on Transformative Travel Around the World:
Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, the
Deryck Toles (Inspiring Minds, Warren, OH), Rodrigo de
Dominican Republic, El Salvador, India, Italy,
Castro Amede Peret OFM (Pastoral Land Commission,
Kenya, Nepal, Nicaragua, Tanzania, Uganda,
BRASIL), Mary Ann Corrigan Davis (Saint Joseph Academy,
among the Shoshone and Wabanki Peoples,
Cleveland), Jim Keane (Saint Joseph School, CT), Mahesh
and across the USA.
Upadhyaya (INDIA), Selina Pagan (Cleveland, OH), Jamie
Sheffler (the Dudley P. & Barbara K. Sheffler Family
Foundation, OH), Hank Doll (The Doll Family Foundation,
OH), and Joe Cistone.
6 www.ipmconnect.org
ONE NIGHT FOR ONE WORLD
Celebrating Northeast Ohio’s Commitment
to Global Partnerships Building Justice,
Peace, and Hope Around the World
Attendees enjoyed a fabulous evening of international cuisine, a panel
discussion, local vendors, live music, live performances, and silent auction.
IPM was proud to host a panel focused on international women and business:
International Women and Business with a Purpose. The panel consisted of
inspiring women who spoke on overcoming cultural barriers and promoting
cultural awareness in Cleveland, OH. The panel was moderated by Marcia
Moreno, CEO of AmMore LLC., the first Cleveland-based company dedicated to
helping organizations diversify their workforce by creating strategies to attract,
recruit and retain Latinx talent to thrive and succeed in Greater Cleveland.
The invited panelists included Lucia Gutierrez, founder of Echeri International,
Shemariah Arki, Founder of the Ellipsis Institute for Women of Color, Cynthia
Connelly, Development Director for Ohio Policy Matters, and Swathi Twaddell, One Night for One World Panel: International Women and
founder of Cleveland Bollywood. Business with a Purpose
From left to right: Stephanie Morrison-Hrbek, From left to right: MSASS’s Kim McFarlin and Joe Cistone Following an incredible One Night for One World
Jan Roller, George Hrbek accompanied by MSASS LINK students event, long-time IPM Volunteers traveled to Italy for a
special IPM Immersion Experience delegation for the
Canonization of Oscar Romero in Rome, October 2018.
From left to right: Fatima Pacas, Clark Pope, Jim
Norris, Sarah Pope, Stephanie Washlock, Natalie
Norris, Mike Washlock, and Joe Cistone.
Fatima Pacas with Oscar Romero confidant From left to right: Kathy Cistone & Sinead Irwin Echeri International at One Night for One World Vendor, March 2019
and recently appointed Salvadoran Cardinal,
Gregorio Rosa Chavez
www.ipmconnect.org 7
CONNECTIONS FOCUS: RESPECTING RELATIONSHIPS
Kenya
For many years, IPM’s Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) Regional Office in
Nairobi, Kenya, was the hub of our activity and growing presence in the
Region. With Project Partners throughout the Great Lakes Region, a
Staff of four, Community Partners as diverse as Eaton Corporation &
Heikima College, and an active local Advisory Council IPM’s presence
throughout the Region boomed from 2003-2013.
In September 2013, IPM’s International Executive Board traveled to Nairobi for
their meeting in conjunction with IPM’s fourth SSA Regional Conference. It was
a remarkable, life-changing experience—that first ever IPM gathering in Africa—
that ended in tragedy with the Westgate Mall Massacre during our penultimate
day in country, (see Joe’s related column entitled “What Kenyan Mall siege can
teach us” in the Saint Louis Post Dispatch, October 18, 2013).
In light of that terrorist act and related fall-out in Nairobi, IPM temporarily closed
our Regional Office while continuing to support our local Partners and nurture
Members of the IPM International Executive Board, Staff, and
particularly worthwhile partnerships with the African Cancer Foundation, the
friends gather with DEEDNET Project Partners in Dandora,
Bride Rescue Program (Kajiado), the Kandula Community Project (Makueni),
Kenya, October 2013.
the Saint Martin des Porres School (Nyabondo), and Watoto wa Lwanga
(Kibera) among others. Kenyan Human Rights Attorney Alyne Kemunto Cistone
facilitated a number of IPM-affiliated Immersions in Kenya and we continued
to dream of reopening our Office there. In 2020, our dream is coming to
fruition with two pending Immersion Experiences—Yale Divinity School and the
Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (January) and at least one “open” Immersion
for Donors & Friends (June).
The January Immersion is the highlight of IPM’s renewable three-year
memorandum of understanding with Yale and Andover Newton to offer a
scholarship Immersion Experience in conjunction with an Autumn course
offered by IPM CEO & Yale Lecturer Joe Cistone on a related subject matter—
past courses have included Liberation Theology in the Context of Colombia,
Liberation Theology in the Context of Interfaith India, Liberation Theology
& Migration in the Context of El Salvador, and the current Kenya: A Sacred
Encounter—and accompanying Immersion. In 2020-2021 the course will again
focus on India. The IPM Family is particularly grateful to longtime donor and
friend Hank Doll for making such Scholarship Immersions possible.
As Joe, Alyssa Bovell, Beverly Imali, and Jared Odhiambo of IPM continue their
planning for the January Immersion, we look forward to sharing more about From left to right: Kandula Community Project participant and
IPM’s renewed SSA emphasis in the future. If you would like to participate in Caroline Mills, IPM’s Project Partner Coordinator for Sacajawea
an upcoming Immersion and/or support IPM’s Project Partners and Regional Treasures & Former International Board Chair
Office there, please contact Joe at: jfcistone@ipmconnect.org.
CONNECTIONS FOCUS: IMMERSION EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
Immersion Experience Program Yale Divinity School and
Andover Newton Seminary
participants to date: 2,268 2018 delegation engaging
with Jon Sobrino SJ at the
Universidad Centroamericana
Number of Immersion Experience José Simeón Cañas (UCA).
Padre Jon is a preeminent
Programs since 2003: 251 proponent of a Theology of
Liberation and graciously met
with our delegation during
their time at the UCA.
8 www.ipmconnect.org
CONNECTIONS FOCUS: RESPECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN
India
Women in South Asia are one of the
most oppressed populations politically,
economically and socially. Whether it is
the unborn female child or a young girl,
an adolescent or an adult working
woman, or even an aged widow. Their
trials and tribulation through various
life stages can be challenging and
horrifying. From tropical hills of
Nagercoil in the South of India, to the
arid coasts of Gujarat, and the cities of
Ahmadabad, Delhi, and Jaipur. From
the capital cities of Kathmandu to the
villages in Bandipur, the waste pickers
in Delhi, or the domestic workers in
Jaipur, one sees and experiences
similar stories. Women coming together to build better lives for their children, families and villages with the Pochabhai Foundation.
Yet these same women embody hope
Here are five interesting statistics about
and have a vision for a kind of society that
women in the region which reveal the kind
they want to build. They provide a stable
of environment in which many partners
environment for their families by creating
work:
an equitable society for all. These women
plan and manage the resources on their 1. 74.8% of rural women in India are
own and understand the organizations they agricultural workers but only 9.3%
help to manage and sustain over time in the own the land. Source: The 2002 Indian
most efficient ways. National Sample Survey, Agriculture
Census 2005/ 2006, Department
Over the years, IPM friends and Partners
of Agriculture and Cooperation,
have focused on women rights and
Government of India. HUM (Hindus United with Muslims) Self Defense
initiatives. The Building Bridges Program
serves as a health intervention with Trust Training
2. A
ccording to a survey in two countries
Hospital in Nagercoil for young women in South Asia, 39% of men and women sector, 14% of women holding blue-
impacted by the tsunami. For empowerment in India think that it is sometimes or collared jobs, 13% of female students,
opportunities, women study is provided always justifiable for a man to beat 6% of women in business sector, 1% of
at the Notre Dame sisters-run school his wife. Source: Progress of World’s female teachers, 1% of women working
in Vaniyakudi. IPM friends and partners Women: Access to Justice, 2011-12, in non-governmental organizations,
serve as activists for victims of communal UN Women. 0.1% of women in governmental sector,
violence in the city of Ahmedabad and
and 0.3% women in social service
consequently created HUM (Hindus United 3. A
study on Nepal reports, “In the large face some form of violence at their
with Muslims) working on women’s rights cardamom value chain, the work put workplace. Nonetheless, women’s rights
in their neighborhoods and overall society. in by the women, in the farming and are being advocated for and promoted.
Additionally, the Pochabhai Foundation was processing stages, is crucial to the
established in Golana where the widow of end product. And yet, women rarely 5. Four out of nine South Asian countries
a Dalit leader first ensured that her children manage to interact with traders, nor now have equal inheritance laws
received education who later built the do they have the bargaining power between men and women for land and
Foundation which works with more than to command fair prices in a highly property. In Nepal, a tax exemption
3,000 women in 27 villages. Dalit women fluctuating market. Additionally, the has been introduced to incentivize
save, farm, and agitate for their rights lack of skills and inability to access families to share property with
along with their young daughters who are credit keeps them from adding value to their wives, daughters and sisters.
now becoming leaders in their own rights. the product and hampers any efforts to As a result, between 2001 and
While focused on one key area, many of the move up the value chain.” 2009, women’s land ownership has
organizations actually work at many levels increased threefold. Source: Progress
trying to meet the needs of the women while 4. A
ccording to a report developed by of World’s Women: Access to Justice,
trying to build unity within, and meanwhile, the WOREC in 2016, 34.4% of women 2011-12, UN Women.
confronting and negotiating with various who engage in domestic work have
stake holders in society for a better future to bear domestic violence. The report Mahesh Upadhyaya,
for themselves and their families. also said 28% of women in agricultural Regional Director, South Asia
www.ipmconnect.org 9
IPM MEMORIAL, TRIBUTE, AND SPECIAL GIFTS
Gifts received January 1, 2018 – October 31, 2019
We remain profoundly grateful to our benefactors for their enthusiastic financial support of IPM’s mission. All donations,
whether made as memorials or as tribute gifts, in succession as regular Monthly Partners in Mission, or as a one-time
special gift, are sincerely appreciated. We are pleased to recognize the following contributions:
HONORARY GIFTS: Stella Smiga Ruthanne Eastwood Timothy Kaiser & Alice Vargas Saint Joseph High School, CT
Joseph F. Cistone Mark Steinhoff Emily Egan Bev and Jim Kamphoefner Saint Noel Church, OH
Carol & Marty Findling Paul & Vercile Strege The Emanuel Bachmann Eileen & James P. Keane The Dudley P. & Barbara K.
Keith & Penny Holste Cody van Heerden Foundation, CA Eunice Koch Sheffler Foundation, OH
Clint McCann Sandra Ingalls van Heerden Evangelical Lutheran Church of Donna and Stewart Kohl Diane Schroeder
Clark Pope Dorothy Zorn the Good Shepherd, IL Kulas Foundation, OH Larry Sehy
Nina Sheffler & Family Carol & Marty Findling Carolyn Lange Singing for Change Foundation,
Anne Sowell NEW MONTHLY Forest Hill Presbyterian Lilita Lassen Ward SC
Mahesh Upadhyaya Church, OH James & Susan Latham St. Thomas Holy Spirit Church,
PARTNERS IN MISSION:
Grace Weber The Ganley Fund, NY Marie C. Mayer MO
Clint & Sarah McCann
Adela Zayas Brita Gill-Austern Patricia & Peter Mayer Stonehill College, MA
Joyce Pope
Good Shepherd Lutheran Clint & Sarah McCann Gail & Tim Strege
MEMORIAL GIFTS: Church, MO Garnett & Sherri Meador Andreas & Tracy Teich
Carolyn Krause Bolt
MAJOR & SPECIAL GIFTS Helen Henrickson Stephen Milliken Hans & Sigrid Teich
Jan Bruskowitz RECENTLY RECEIVED: Carole & Paul Herrmann III Judith Munzig Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
Adam Cunningham Cheryl & Ken Bauer Kathleen & Larry Hill Carrie Napiorkowski Church, MO
George Licitis The Camiener Foundation, OH Margie & Ron Hojara Hadsell Larry W. Neeb US Bank, OH
Jim & Sammy Mayer Peter & Rita Carfagna and The Doug Horner and Kathleen Ostara, a supporting foundation Iola & Neal Vanstrom
Sammy Mayer Lake County Captains Hallissey of the Jewish Federation of Chris & Linda Warren
Raymond Moelter Alyne & Joseph F. Cistone George & Stephanie Morrison Cleveland, OH Raymond John Wean
Larry Neeb The Cleveland Foundation, OH Hrbek Pennsbury School District, PA Foundation, OH
Paul Porter Edward & Mary Ann Corrigan- Hyland Software, Inc. Esther & Jerry Pfabe Grace Weber
Edward Schroeder Davis Incarnation Lutheran Church, CA Pilgrim Lutheran Church, IN
Elizabeth “Betty” Schulte John & Laurie Cunningham InFaith Community Foundation, Ray of Light International, OH
Kathy Sehy Henry C. Doll MN RPM International Inc., OH
CREATING PARTNERSHIPS THAT BUILD JUSTICE, PEACE, & HOPE
2018-2019 Report on Annual Giving (as of 10/31/19)
$75,000 & ABOVE Emily Egan Nadine Hopwood Feighan The Ganlee Fund, NY Carrie Napiorkowski
The Camiener Foundation, OH Bev & Jim Kamphoefner Gary & Ilze Fender Brita Gill-Austern Peace United Church of Christ,
The Dudley P. & Barbara K. Clark & Sarah Pope Kathleen & Larry Hill Good Shepherd Lutheran MO
Sheffler Foundation Saint Ignatius High School, OH Inspiring Minds, OH Church, MO Pennsbury School District, PA
Diane Schroeder Gregory Mobley Karen Griebel & Sharon Brown Joan & Lupe Perez
$50,000 - $74,999 Seaside United Church of Larry W. Neeb Helen Henrickson Brian Peterson
The Cleveland Foundation, OH Christ, ME OneWorld Stories, NC Carole & Paul Herrmann III John & Christine Peterson
Yale Divinity School, CT Esther & Jerry Pfabe Margie & Ron Hojara Hadsell Pilgrim Lutheran Church, IN
College of the Holy Cross, MA
RPM International Inc., OH Doug Horner & Kathleen Hannah & Joseph Podurgiel
Ostara, a supporting foundation
Susan Sapiro Hallissey Joyce Pope
of the Jewish Federation of $5,000 - $9,999
St. Thomas Holy Spirit Church, George & Stephanie Morrison Christine Henke Rattiff
Cleveland, OH Evangelical Lutheran Church of
MO Hrbek Saint Noel Church, OH
Singing for Change Foundation, the Good Shepherd, IL
Andreas & Tracy Teich Incarnation Lutheran Church, CA Gail & Tim Strege
SC Carol & Marty Findling
InFaith Community Foundation, Hans & Sigrid Teich
Hyland Software, OH
$1,000 - $2,499 MN Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
$25,000 - $49,999 Donna & Stewart Kohl
Laurie & Craig Anzilotti Renee Johnson Church, MO
Alyne & Joseph F. Cistone Beverly Lehenbauer Estate Mahesh Upadhyaya
Carlos Barrera & Nancy Timothy Kaiser & Alice Vargas
John & Laurie Cunningham Clint & Sarah McCann US Bank, OH
Velasquez Eileen & James P. Keane
Hank Doll Jim & Natalie Norris Eunice Koch Iola & Neal Vanstrom
Cheryl & Ken Bauer
Stonehill College, MA Saint Joseph High School, CT Kulas Foundation, OH Lydia Volz
Edward & Mary Ann Corrigan-
United Methodist Church, DC Larry Sehy Davis Carolyn Lange Lilita Lassen Ward
Raymond John Wean St. Paul’s Community Church, Abbey Croissant James & Susan Latham Alice & John Wiehe
Foundation, OH UCC, OH Diana & Mark D’Evelyn Marie C. Mayer
Grace Weber Mike & Stephanie Washlock Ruthanne Eastwood Patricia & Peter Mayer $500 - $999
The Emanuel Bachmann Garnett & Sherri Meador Janet & Wayne Andis
$10,000 - $24,999 $2,500 - $4,999 Foundation, CA Stephen Milliken Gary & Glenda Asher
Peter & Rita Carfagna Anonymous Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, Eric & Jorie Moeller Bay Foundation, OH
Eden Theological Seminary, MO Cleveland Colectivo, OH OH Judith Munzig Eileen Blumenthal
10 www.ipmconnect.orgChristine & Loren Bodendieck Scoperta Marketing/Marchetti $100 - $249 Patricia Riggins Ruth & Keith Forni
Phyllis Brody Company, OH American Appetites, OH Gail & Joel Roberts Edward Gable
Janet & Mark Burns Eliabeth Searcy Marilyn & Walter Baird Janet & Mark Roock Andrew & Debra Gauvin
Campus Bridge International, Lawrence C. Smith Kelly Barrows Ewan Russell Gracie Gerhart
MA Janice Sohn Gordon & Marcie Beggs Patty Ryan & David Westphal Linda & Tim Gutknecht
Josh Cayetano Samuel Stephen Bruce & Cheryl Benson Nicholas & Sandi Santilli Ralph Hardecke
Jessica Church Chris & Linda Warren Nancy Benson Barb & Tom Schoenherr Reuben Harris
Joseph & Kathy Cistone John & Margie Wheeler Paul Bierlein Harriet & William Scholle Joanne Hart
Wayne Clark Roy & Bernie Marquardt Wilde Barbara Blodgett Carolyn & Richard Sellke Ian Heisey & Christine Lee
Mickey Clarke Margaret Wong & Associates Cathy Brugett Margo Sheffler James Hibbett
R. Max Clayton Linda Burr Lindsay Shopland Kathleen Higgins
Abner Cotto-Bonilla $250 - $499 Anthony & Laura Camino Annie Sowell Edith Hovey
Ensign & Lana Cowell Dave Abbott & Jan Roller Barbara & Robert Carlson Marilyn Stavenger* Clement & Kathleen Imhoff
Diana Crocker Tucker Adams Lena Chapin Robert Stratton Gary & Karen Kallansrud
Gillian Dale Janet Ball Christ Evangelical Lutheran Ellie & James Sudbrock Patrick Kearns
Daniel & Erin Davies Kay Bliss Church, OH George & Jane Sullivan-Davis Rosalie Kell
Jordan DeSanto Karl & Laverne Boehmke Shannon Clarkson Pat & Thomas Tews Bill Kelley
Peter & Sonya Dias Janet & Kevin Born Gail & James Creath Don & Mary Thuss Gail Kerzner
Lois & Tom Dolan Naomi & James Bryant Helen & Bernard Doherty Mel & Janet Sheridan Troha Donald Koch
Maynard & Shirley Dorow Karen Courington L. Susan Eigel Anne Unverzagt & Richard Judy Koepke
Priscilla Dowden-White Rosemarie & Steve DeJohn David & Kathy Endorf Goddard Evelyn Lajiness
Deonie Duncan Laurel & Sergio Diaz Phyllis Ewald Jennifer & John Urbanski David & Trudy Learman
Connor Filkins Mr. Tony Dowell Dan & Susan Flaxbart Barbara & Bill Urbrock Kamia Lewis
Helen French Kathryn Fellows Maria Fuscaldo Carina Van Vliet Ron Limbach
Shirley G. Gast David & Susan Findling Sandra Griffard Arlen & Betty Viste Carlos Llapa
James & Beth Schreibman Char & Chuck Fowler David Gross & Marilyn J. Deborah Wade & Robert Breen Sam Lovett
Gehring Carol Garramone Feldhaus Ellen Warger Judy Lundy
Moira Glover-Marquis C. Reese Garza Monica Gustafson Christina Weber Ted Mayer
Daniel & Paula Greenwood LaVerne Gogolin Mike & Linda Hatch Melinda McGucken
Marie Griffin Michelle & Joshua Griffen Kristie Hennig $1 - $99 Bill & Judy Meier
James & Mary Ann Groetsch Ann Cox Halkett Ryan Herman Lynne & Stan Abraham Nancy Michalk
Chengyuan Guo Betty E. Hecht Judy Joyce Lynee Aiad-Toss Arcelia Candarilla Minor
Lietta Haenel Dan & Joann Hellinger Kathy Kamphoefner & Paul Chris & Paula Aiken Rhoda M. Moelter
Tracey & James Harris Judy & Walt Hinck Pierce Alia Almashni Estella Moody
Ellen Hilgendorf-Mead Holy Cross Monastery Audrey Klein Duane Anderson & Judith Turley MSASS-CWRU
Keith & Penny Holste John & Margaret Horn Steven & Janice Koch Olivia & Ralph Arand Olga Nagdaseva
John Hook Sinead Irwin Paul Koepke Jennifer Arick Rachel Napolitano
Judy Hoshek & Nick Dobrinich Elizabeth Karnes Donna Kwilosz & Milton Strauss Ken & Ellen Barcus Cecilia Olguin
Keith King Fred & Margaret Lenhart Don & Jane Lennon Janot Bente Mary Patterson
Laura Kisthardt John Maddaus Clyde & Karen Loughridge Martin Berndt Michael Patterson
Doug & Michelle Lonero Ahdy & Soad Mansour David & Marci Lu Ethelda Bertram Maria Pineda
Harold & Suzie Long Marin Lutheran Church Patricia Lunetta Mr. & Mrs. Ken Bickel Ann & Steve Pinning
Cindie Luhman John Mazza Lutheran Church of the Good Lois Bluhm John Pollack
Jack Mahoney Miriam McCreary Shepherd, MO Carolyn & Frank Bolt Martin & Solveig Rafanan
Bruce & Colleen Mangeot Sharon Milligan Margaret & Stephen Mager Suzanne & Werner Boos David & Therese Reid
Peter Marquis Faith Noble & Christopher Ann C. Mantler Catherine & John Bovenzi Kelly Roos
Jason Martin Checkett Jim Mayer Richard Busch Jake Rosenberg
Sarah Menard Maria Nosse Kimberly McFarlin Alice & Charles Butts Mary Roth
Judith Miller Marilyn K. Privett Susan McLaughlin Liz & Rich Caemmerer Joann & Thomas Ruoff
Mitchem Arts Progressive Insurance Brigitte Miller Carol & Robert Chapman Susan Salkin
Chrysteen Moelter-Gray Company Caroline Mills Ken Cline Michael Salkind
Anne Abbott Morris Hilbert & Joan Riemer Janet Moore Judith Conoyer & Ted Bronson Arthur & Judy Schroeder
Julie & Robert Mueller Joe & Patience Robbins Murlan J. Murphy Jr. & Molly Anne & Paul Covino Leah Schulte
Dianne & Roger Neiswander Joy Roller Dixon John Gray Cox Robert Seltz
Niesha Nelson Randy & Renee Roth Carolyn Myers Romain & Beth Damsgaard- Susan Sering Hughley
David Parker Flo & Vic Saeger Debra & Ronald Neustadt Rodriguez Candace & John Sheffler
Connie Perretta Saint Rose of Lima Parish Donna M. O’Brien Stephanie DeLong Henry & Theresa Sheffler
Louise Perry David Schaaf & Jennifer Sims Joan & Robert O’Brien Doris & Robert Dickhudt Donna Skufca
Linda & Ronald Phillips Chris Schulte Diane Obringer Richard & Ruth Doty Liesl Spitz
Lois Preisinger Karis Slattery Erin O’Reilly & Jay Diamond Joy Dressel Brian Stefan-Szittai
Elizabeth Preysner Kristine & Steve Sneeringer Penney Memorial Church, FL Roberta Duarte Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez
Bruce W. Radtke Patricia Teran Stephen Petras Joe Ellwanger Unique’s Passion, OH
Redeemer Lutheran Church Joseph Thornhill Pinnacle Gardens Foundation, JD Evans Diane Wangelin
Dorothy Richterkessing Ruth & Robert Thurau OH Fatima Family Center, OH Lynn Wickberg
David & Laura Sangree Lily Wu & Thomas Yuen Andrea Porter John Fillo Karla & Timothy Yuss
Nilda Ramos Carol Fisher Robert & Shirley Zimmer
We have made every attempt to list all Donors accurately. We apologize if we have misspelled or omitted any names.
Please contact the IPM office at +216-932-4082 if you have any questions or concerns.
IPM | 3109 Mayfield Rd., Suite 202 | Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 | USA Tel: +216-932-4082 | Email: office@ipmconnect.org | Web: www.ipmconnect.org
www.ipmconnect.org 11CONNECTIONS FOCUS: RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
El Salvador
Talking about climate change, as a psychologist and mental health professional,
I think the apocalyptic and doom message is simply not working. We are
approaching this problem with fear and guilt, and from psychology we know
that these feelings do not lead to compromise. It’s rather the opposite, it leads
us to inactivity. It makes people passive, because when we feel fearful or guilt-
full, we withdraw from the issue and try to think about something else that
makes us feel better.
That is why we may have to approach the problem of climate change from
another feeling, such as love. Because from these feelings we can act
compromisingly. It leads us to take care and show solidarity from different IPM Partners, Staff, & Friends at Caminata Ecológica
in San Salvador, June 2019
actions. Love arises from knowledge. It is very difficult, although not
impossible, to love something or someone without knowing them or it.
To get to know my people, I want to tell you a story based on true testimonies
of our different IPM Project Partners around Latin America.
When you read the story, try to count how many times you read something
about nature, whether it is being mentioned in a positive or negative sense.
OUR DAY TODAY IN THIS LAND because of the bad soil. Children are sicker
WE CALL EARTH and do not want to go to school. To recover
Vicky and Mary are already up before and eat healthy again, we have to travel to
Salvadorian dawn! They are the first the local market, an hour and a half away
to wake up at home. When exhaustion from our community, in order to buy all
almost convinces them to sleep a little the vegetables we need. Our pockets are
increasingly empty because of this. Conchita at ACACCPAMU Vicky at ACACCPAMU in
more, they remember household chores.
in Armenia, El Salvador, Armenia, El Salvador,
They wash their faces, trying to get rid of
The call is cut by another storm in October 2015 August 2018
tiredness lagging for years. They do it with
water that falls from their taps, thanks to a Armenia, where Conchita lives. Rosalia
water project that they initiated inside the sees a story in the newspaper that same
community (because if it wasn’t for them day that makes her think of her friend
and their fight, the community wouldn’t still Suleyma, from San Juan de la Maguana
have water till this day). Each day, in their in the Dominican Republic. Things
house, they go to their yards to take care of are not that different in the Dominican
their cows, feed them with grass and corn, Republic; she says rainfall has affected
which grow in the pastures of the mountains her community. Suleyma must travel to
in front of their houses. Running, they go to the hospital to get her medicine because
their place of work as a little house has been of her heart condition, but cannot leave
flooded by the rains of the dawn. Conchita, her home. It has not stopped raining in
their other partner, arrives and gives them almost five hours, which has paralyzed
bad news. The harvest of rice, beans, coffee transportation and normal activities. The CEPROSI, Nicaragua, October 2015
and corn is gone. It has been damaged by streets are flooded and it is too dangerous
the storms. Suddenly, she receives a call, it to even set a foot outside! Luz Dary, in
Colombia, also suffers from the rains. Her We need to pay more attention to the
is her friend Rosalia from Nicaragua.
house is built next to a river that easily effects of climate change on Latin America
She tells her that the heat in Masaya is overflows. She is afraid of losing her and The Caribbean. The world’s largest
unbearable but that they must always fulfil house, her family and her own life every arable land reserves are concentrated
their responsibilities. Rosalia explains, day. This worry comes every time it rains. in the region with 576 million hectares,
here we work under the sun in 90° F heat which is equivalent to approximately 30%
to sustain our family gardens. The harvest All the women think about Rodrigo, our of its territory. 47% of the regional area is
grows slowly due to bad weather as it friend from Brazil, who fights as an activist forested. 92% of the regional forest is in
does not rain. Here we use our orchards and human and ecological rights defender South America, mainly in Brazil and Peru.
to feed our families, we cook with tomato, to stop the suffering that climate change These two countries along with Colombia,
cucumber, chiltoma, spinach, lettuce and produces in many communities. While going Ecuador, Mexico and Venezuela are home
avocado. With this food our children grow to bed they all pray one day environmental to between 60 and 70% of all life forms
healthier. But none of that has grown, justice arrives to their sacred place. on the planet. The third part of the world’s
12 www.ipmconnect.orgSan Salvador, June 2019
StoneHill College Immersion Experience Program in
Dominican Republic, March 2019
CEPROSI, Nicaragua, July 2019
testimonies we can see that climate
change is a matter of justice. As Leonardo
Boff said, “The cry of the earth is indeed
also the cry of the poor. The fate of the
poor and the planet are repeatedly linked.
This is because they are the ones who
most closely share in the pain of the earth.”
StoneHill College Immersion Experience Program in
Dominican Republic, March 2019 From an ethical point of view, it is unjust
that those who are suffering and will suffer
renewable water resources is in the Latin more the consequences of climate change
American region. Everyone in our region are precisely those who have contributed
has a close relationship with nature, we less to its causes.
even depend on it, on our mother earth,
our Pachamama as we call it. She is not a The most vulnerable groups and regions
creative deity but a protector and provider; are suffering and will suffer most
It shelters human beings, makes life consequences of climate change. These Holy Cross Immersion Experience Program in
possible and favors fertility. groups include the economically poor, Colombia, January 2019
indigenous peoples and communities living
In the story I told you, perhaps you in low-lying islands. To respond to climate
counted approximately 40 words related change challenges means to consider of relating with nature and fellow human
to natural elements. This reflects the these communities and act responsibly beings. We need to start caring more,
relationship our project partners have with and audaciously. In Latin America, we think because when we care and love the earth
the environment, a very close relationship, a response to the climate change crisis is we are also caring and loving the poor.
as they are in contact with nature since a matter of conversion. By conversion we
they wake up until they go to sleep. That mean that we need to convert our attitudes, Adela Zayas,
relationship has changed during the last our paradigms, and our lifestyles. To do Director of International Partnerships &
years, from being positive to negative. so, lessons learned from other cultures Programs and Regional Director for Latin
More and more people now suffer from like native population or African descent America & The Caribbean
environmental changes. Through these could bring new insights to different ways
www.ipmconnect.org 13MY FAITH, MY JOURNEY
Immersion Experience Participant Testimony
“How to Be, Not Do,
in Fascinating El Salvador”
By: Dorothy Wetzel, El Salvador Participant, November 2019
Blog May be Accessed Here: http://www.modernchurchlady.com/how-to-be-not-do-in-fascinating-el-salvador/
I was in El Salvador participating in the “More to
Migration” seminar organized by the General Board of
Church and Society and hosted by IPM, International
Partners in Mission. IPM seeks to “expand the participants’
worldview by walking in solidarity with the local
communities.” My purpose was to gain a deeper
understanding of why the Central Americans I host in my
home after they are released from immigration detention
leave their countries.
Throughout the week of our immersion trip, we listened eagerly to
lectures on migration and visited socially conscious businesses
such as NUTRAVIDA Soya program, a cooperative that provides
soy products to low-income Salvadorans to supplement their daily
nutrition. Rather than doing something for the people we met, the
idea was “to be present, to listen and to learn from our hosts.”
Several of us inveterate doers struggled with the concept of just From left to right: Adela Zayas and Conchita Mendez of ACACCPAMU, El Salvador
being. The group was composed of spirited people who work
on the literal frontlines to feed, house and defend the rights of
migrants. While there is no color-coded chart for being, our IPM
hosts introduced us to a beautiful philosophy of Accompanying
written by Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt, a noted author, educator and grief
counselor.
As the group took turns reading each line, I felt my hypervigilant
mind start to power down. I put away my solution seeking habit
of frantically flipping through my brain like a rolodex. With each
sentence, my heart clicked more solidly into gear and stayed
there throughout the week, vacillating wildly between despair,
shame, fear and hope. United Methodist Global Office for Church & Society El Salvador Immersion
Experience delegation November 2019 at lunch and with Anita from Pueblo de
Enervating despair saturated my heart as I saw that a country can Dios, Mejicanos, San Salvador.
become so lawless that the government can gun down priests and
nuns with impunity, leaving only their blood-stained garments to
rest safely within glass museum cases. But sparks of hope lit up my soul as we met women hacking out
a dignified life, clearing away seemingly impenetrable prickly
Prickly cold shivers of fear zapped my body when the words of thickets of unknowable pain, “machismo” culture and relentless
past Salvadoran autocrats mirrored phrases now emerging from poverty. As surely as the birds of El Salvador greet each dawn with
the mouths of US politicians. Hot shame flowed through my veins song, these women of El Salvador rise each morning determined
with the realization that the US government continues to use El to make a new, more just day. And I am grateful for the opportunity
Salvador as a chessboard, arranging the pieces for a guaranteed to accompany them on their journey, my heart swelled by just
win, willfully disregarding the cost to the Salvadoran people. being in their presence and listening to their stories.
14 www.ipmconnect.orgCONNECTIONS FOCUS: RESPECTING OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Wabanaki Reservation
Immersion Experience
Program in Maine
Since 2017 IPM has been facilitating Immersions with the indigenous Wabanaki
Peoples of the Maine region. Designed to broaden the scope of understanding
between the Wabanaki and non-native people, the groups spend a week
Flute maker Hawk Henries, member of the
talking, sharing meals, and experiencing Native People’s way of life. They meet Chaubunagungamaug band of Nipmuck, shared his
with tribal leaders and elders to listen to their stories and become informed music and thoughts on Native People’s colonization
about their current successes and challenges, becoming allies in the struggle experiences with participants.
for healing of our shared pain based in historical and present-day colonization.
We explore social justice issues, Prior to this trip, I was greatly unaware
including Native Peoples struggles of the many issues Native People
with treaty violations; significance of face every day but hearing people’s
language in domination and oppression; personal stories opened my eyes to the
decolonization; water rights; food security; things I’ve been conditioned to ignore.
and restriction of water access/resources.
The aim is to transform stereotypes and My experience at Nibezun has
make the indigenous peoples visible. As informed and influenced my life by
one Stonehill College participant shared, enlightening me about the Native
community in Maine and the struggles
In all honesty, I didn’t really know much that they and so many Native
about the indigenous population of the Americans across our country face. I Donald Soctomah, Passamaquoddy tribal historian,
United States before coming here. I had realize that we have systems in place met with Stonehill College Immersion Experience
assumed that the history I was taught in to weaken and that discriminate participants at Saint Anne Parish Church,
school was correct but after spending against Native Peoples. I see this Motahkomikuk, Maine.
time at Nibezun I know now that it was in action today, including struggles
false. I am so glad I came here! I was between Natives and big corporations
living in ignorant bliss before. Now I looking to place pipelines through
know the hardships and injustices the their land. Finally, I continue to realize
indigenous peoples have faced, and I and hear the strength of Natives, the
cannot allow my soul to settle with that special and sustainable bond they
knowledge. I feel called to action. have with the land and appreciate their
open hearts that continue to welcome
The group stays at Nibezun, a Native-led and educate outsiders about their way
organization that seeks to revitalize and of life, culture, history, and personal
preserve Wabanaki culture, traditions, struggles.
and lifeways by hosting groups at their
cultural center on ancestral lands on I seek to continue learning about,
the Penobscot River. The Wabanaki supporting Native Americans in Shiwah Noh and spouse Tim Shay teach immersion
Confederacy are a First Nations and maintaining their rights, and spreading participants social dancing.
Native Peoples confederation of five awareness about the problems they
principal nations: the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, face. Too many people are in the dark
Passamaquoddy, Abenaki, and Penobscot. and Nibezun is a wonderfully intimate,
Each day begins with a welcoming the unique place to educate and enlighten
dawn ceremony and ends with storytelling people about Native life—everything
and reflections. The intent is to have and anything.
Native People tell their own story. The
Immersion is designed to plumb the depths Carolyn Grady, 2017 Stonehill
of understanding, bring up uncomfortable Immersion
subjects and feelings, then give resources
for processing and moving forward in Rosalie Kell,
the participant’s lives. The hope is that Consultant for IPM’s New England and
the experience will build a foundation for Wabanaki Programs
continued awareness and action in social Traditional Passamaquoddy basket maker Gabriel
justice initiatives. Frey shows an Immersion participant how to strip
ash for baskets.
www.ipmconnect.org 15WHO’S WHO AT IPM
New Staff in the IPM Family
haven’t given up hope. They are working tirelessly every day
to advocate for human rights and to build their communities.
This resilient spirit is what inspires me in the work I do for
IPM and I hope to take it with me as I continue to work for the
empowerment of vulnerable communities.
2. W
hat is your hope for IPM?
My hope for IPM is to continue planting the seeds that help
individuals and communities grow around the world. As IPM
evolves, I’d like to see IPM’s work expand into advocating for
human rights, and as a current law student, I would like to help
create project and community partnerships that do just that.
Brenna Dilley, Director of Education & Community
Engagement
As Director of Education & Community Outreach, Brenna
collaborates with community nonprofits, global initiatives, local
schools, and educational programs in order to promote social
From left to right: Martita Mendoza, Adela Zayas, Kristina Aiad-Toss, Brenna justice and enhance community awareness about IPM’s regional
Dilley, Teresa de Jesús Mejia de Martinez, Julieta Borja, & Fatima Pacas partners in Latin America & The Caribbean, Sub-Saharan
Africa, and South Asia. Brenna also coordinates the Immersion
Experience Program in order to connect Cleveland to the world.
Kristina Aiad-Toss, Community Outreach & Event
Coordinator 1. Who inspires your work?
The fight for human rights and victim advocacy inspires my
As Community Outreach & Event Coordinator, Kristina supports work by giving me genuine purpose. When we advocate for
the IPM leadership team from the International Headquarters one, we advocate for many. Helping a domestic violence
in Northeast Ohio with a secondary focus on Metropolitan victim means that her children can break free from cyclical
Saint Louis, MO and other IPM markets nationally. Kristina also violence. Helping an abused child can lead to a brighter future.
coordinates IPM’s signature events. Helping empower a community can change a nation. Vital
change starts at home by these individuals who strengthen our
Kristina Aiad-Toss joined IPM in January 2019 as a graduate communities and honor my purpose. I continue to fight for our
student intern. Kristina is currently attending law school at change through my work at IPM.
Case Western Reserve University with a focus on international
humanitarian law. As a law student, Kristina participates in the 2. W
hat is your hope for IPM?
Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Team, does IPM is more than partnership across borders promoting
human rights research for the Yemen Accountability Project, justice, peace, and hope; IPM is a bond of beautiful souls who
and volunteers on an anti-human trafficking task force. While an give a voice to the voiceless and create a call to action for all
undergrad, Kristina has lived abroad in three countries: studying who will listen. My hope for IPM is to give more voice to the
abroad in Spain over the summer, interning under a member voiceless, inspire social justice activism worldwide, and to
of parliament in Toronto, and working for the Department of connect Cleveland to the world.
State in Rome. Kristina has also worked in political advocacy,
environmental issues, immigration services, event planning, Brenna cultivated her passion for international work back in 2011
and journalism. Although Kristina is studying law, she also has while providing case management for Burmese refugees. She
a photography business on the side. Kristina hopes to obtain a dedicated eight years to nonprofit work in the form of refugee
career in international economic development. work in Senegal, domestic work in various women’s shelters,
children’s shelters and county jails. Brenna sought a position at
1. Who inspires your work? IPM after volunteering during Summer 2019 to investigate war
The individuals IPM empowers through our Project Partners crimes that took place during the Salvadoran Civil War, along
are the inspiration behind my work. When I think of why I with U.S. involvement in aiding and abetting those war crimes.
chose this line of work, my mind first goes to the amazing Her passion for IPM was ignited as she met with Salvadoran
individuals I met in El Salvador this summer. All of them have project partners who channeled community need into action
been through so much. They’ve lost loved ones in a brutal civil with IPM’s community-specific assistance model. She is excited
war. Their family members have been forced to migrate to the to move forward with IPM by collaborating with community
U.S. to flee violence or provide for their children. They face partners and brainstorming with schools and social justice
the reality of gang violence in their communities every day. programs; connecting more youth to the world through immersions
The government is corrupt and doesn’t care about providing experience programs and enhancing community development
basic human rights to its people. Yet, despite all this, they worldwide by tailoring solutions to each community’s needs.
16 www.ipmconnect.orgYou can also read
