Presbyterian Mission Agency Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) Archives

Chicago’s Alliance for Community Services advocates for disabled people and families struggling to make ends meet

Posted February 22nd, 2024

A group in Chicago is making sure that people who often get overlooked, such as individuals with disabilities, are seen and heard when it comes to issues related to health, education and welfare.

Mister Rogers conference provides novel platform for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Educate a Child initiative

Posted July 14th, 2023

Growing up in northern New Jersey, a younger version of the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson watched in awe as Fred Rogers welcomed a break-dancer onto the groundbreaking television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” in the 1980s.

Presbyterian pastor advances the cause of reproductive justice

Posted June 27th, 2023

At SACReD, the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity, which the Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams serves as co-director for movement building, religious leaders, organizers, academics and congregations work together to advance the cause of reproductive justice.

Three churches share their stories of housing God’s children

Posted March 25th, 2021

Three PC(USA) pastors who serve congregations that have made significant strides helping to provide their neighbors with safe and affordable housing formed the centerpiece of Wednesday’s national Matthew 25 webinar. Nearly 250 people participated.

Standing with the ‘essentially disposable’

Posted August 14th, 2020

The plight of Black and brown farmworkers during the global pandemic will be the focus of an Aug. 27 webinar by the Presbyterian Hunger Program and the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People.

‘We’re all in this together’

Posted March 27th, 2020

Remembering “the least of these” takes on greater significance during the coronavirus pandemic. With many Americans losing the ability to work, school being canceled for millions of children, and childcare centers being shuttered in many places, the challenges of people already living on or near the edge of society become magnified.

‘This is so SDOP’

Posted December 3rd, 2019

The woman from Iraq was dressed completely in black. It was the first time she had been to Refugee Family Literacy at Memorial Drive Ministries in Stone Mountain, Georgia in two weeks. When Jennifer Green, director of the program, asked what had happened, she learned the woman’s brother had been killed by a car bomb in Iraq.

Day laborers in Arizona strive for fair wages and safe working conditions

Posted April 2nd, 2019

Narciso, Feliciano and Alberto had labored hard on a construction project in the hot Arizona sun for several days. Though the work was demanding, the promise of payday kept these day laborers going. They had cupboards to fill and bills to pay.

PC(USA) support helps people with criminal records find work in Michigan

Posted February 14th, 2019

Across the United States, one of the major struggles for people with criminal convictions is finding work. For many employers, having a criminal record ends the conversation with a prospective employee.

Presbyterians convene Educate a Child Round Table

Posted August 31st, 2017

A group of Presbyterian educators and ministers gathered this week at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary to look at how to engage the larger church on the issue of education. The newly-formed Educate a Child Round Table met for the first time to organize and determine first steps. Participants came from across the country including California, New York, Tennessee and Michigan.