Beyond Welcoming the Stranger

Monday, October 28, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Via Zoom

What are today's most common immigration misperceptions? What work is being done to create a more welcoming and inclusive Iowa and how are people of faith being called to lead this work?

Join Shalom and staff members from Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice ("Iowa MMJ") for a virtual immigration panel. Jody Mashek, Iowa MMJ Co-Legal Director, will share some of the most common misperceptions about the legal immigration process and current policies. Iowa MMJ's Founding Executive Director, Erica Johnson, will share about Iowa MMJ's efforts across the state and narrative change work. Dubuque Franciscan Associate and Iowa MMJ Development Director, Susie Tierney, will round out the panel by sharing a faith response to immigration that goes even deeper than Matthew 25's call to "welcome the stranger." There will be opportunities to ask the panelists questions about immigration and the work that they do. Register today!

Erica Johnson is the Founding Executive Director of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. She has been working for positive changes in immigration policy at the local, state, and federal levels since 2006. Recipient of the Mary Louise Smith Human Rights Award from the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission and the Continuing the Legacy of Cesar Chavez Award from Des Moines University, Erica speaks English and Spanish, holds a Masters of Public Administration degree from Drake University in Des Moines, IA, and a BA in Psychology and Spanish from North Park University in Chicago, IL.

Jody Mashek is Co-Legal Director and Department of Justice Accredited Representative for Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. She has been providing immigration legal services for 15 years. Jody spent several years living and working in Managua, Nicaraga. She has volunteered with the Kino Border initiative and Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, with support from the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Jody speaks English and Spanish and holds a BA in International Relations and Spanish Language and Literature from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.

Susie Tierney is the Development Director for Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. Prior to joining the Iowa MMJ staff, Susie spent nearly six years as Executive Director of JustFaith Ministries based in Louisville, KY, and seven years as the Executive Director of the Center for Social Ministry in Des Moines coordinating JustFaith Ministries programs across Iowa. Susie has provided presentations, workshops, and retreats on the intersection of spirituality and justice for more than 20 years. She is a graduate of the Education for Ministry program through Sewanee University School of Theology, has 30 years of experience in church-based ministry, and has a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.

$5 per person; please register online at shalomretreats.org or by calling 563.582.3592 by noon on Monday, October 28.