John Claassen is a long-time resident of California and is the new chair of Gamaliel affiliate, Genesis. He had a wonderful five years as a teenager attending Ryan Prep College, the Diocese of Fresno minor seminary staffed by ten great Jesuit priests. John felt it was here that he was able to live the vision of…

Kent Ferris is a native of Blair, Nebraska and currently resides in Davenport, Iowa with his family. Kent graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and from Mankato State University, Mankato, Minnesota, with a master’s degree in counseling and student personnel. Kent is currently the social action director for…

Ev Howe is a powerful Catholic leader within Gamaliel affiliate,  ABLE, in Atlanta, Georgia.  Ev is a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and is the chairperson for ABLE’s immigration campaign.  He is also a member of Georgia Detention Watch.  Ev is a parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Atlanta (and president of…

Irene Boyd is a former community organizer that has had a sense of social justice since she was a child.  Irene’s father is from Northern Ireland and Irene heard stories from a very young age aboutdiscrimination against Catholics.  Irene grew up with an understanding of the worth and dignity of everyone regardless of race or ethnic group.  Irene…

Ema Flores is a Mexican Catholic organizer from Vera Cruz, California. Ema is an organizer within Gamaliel affiliate Justice Overcoming Boundaries (JOB). She is a member of The Church of the Resurrection in Escondido, California, a city known for having a history of anti-immigrant measures. Ema has done extensive work on health care access, increased voter registration and education.  However,…

Freddie Byrd has lived in Kansas City, Missouri since 1996 and began her involvement with Missouri Gamaliel affiliate, Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, MORE², in 2004.  Freddie converted to Catholicism in 1989 and joined Redemptorist Catholic Church in Kansas City. Freddie has a background as a social worker and is passionate about advocating…

Patti Staib is the Executive Director of Charitable Union in Battle Creek, Michigan.  Charitable Union is a strategic partner of Gamaliel affiliate, JONAH.  Charitable Union provides bedding, clothing and small household items to people in need at no charge.  Charitable Union also works to connect individuals to community resources.  Patti has been partnering with JONAH…

Ginny Schrappen is a native of St. Louis and has been involved with the Catholic Church her entire life. She is a leader within Missouri Gamaliel affiliate, Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU). Ginny became active around social justice within the Church when she was in college during Vatican II. Ginny is a member of Mary Mother…

Susan Lithgow is a staff member at Gamaliel Pittsburgh affiliate, Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN) in Pittsburgh, PA. She has lived in Pennsylvannia for 51 years and has worked for PIIN as office manager since July of 2010. Susan is a member of Saint James Roman Catholic Church in Wilkinsburg, Pittsburgh. She has attended Gamaliel…

Jesus Guzman is a Catholic community organizer in Santa Rosa, CA. He is the lead organizer for the Graton Day Laborer Center, an affiliate of the North Bay Organizing Project. Jesus works with day laborers and domestic workers, making sure they are paid a living wage, as well as coordinates with various programs and institutions,…