featured announcement

Click here to make a year-end tax deductible donation to IFCO!

luciab — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:17:19 -0600

You can make a year-end tax deductible donation to IFCO today via our secure website:

https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=4382

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Compañeros and Compañeras,
These are challenging times – but hope also fills the air.

Fr. Luis Barrios with Occupy Faith on Wall St. October 9, 2011

As the “occupy” movement spreads across the country, we are elated about the growing climate of resistance. IFCO has been an active participant in this innovative international campaign. Despite its imperfections, IFCO continues to offer direct support. We remember that the Bible tells us: There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18).

On October 28th we had the opportunity to connect with many IFCO friends and supporters as the new Co-Executive Directors. What was remarkable about the evening was the level of good will and optimism that filled the room.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like yourself, IFCO raised $25,000 and dozens of people pledged monthly gifts of as little as $10.00 and as much as $150.00.

IFCO was founded as, and continues to be, a grassroots organization with social, political, cultural, and spiritual commitment. It has been said "If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.” We at IFCO are standing for justice.

If 500 supporters pledged $25 a month IFCO could purchase a dozen fully-equipped school buses for our 20th Anniversary Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba.

A pledge of $50 a month from 100 of our supporters would raise $60,000. This would enable IFCO to hire two full time community organizers to work on domestic issues such as the environmentally devastating hydro-fracking, and expanding the fight for social justice.

If 100 IFCO supporters pledge $100 a month we can create a urban justice peace project and produce culture of peace curriculums and alternatives to incarceration programs.

$5,000 will help pay for the administrative workload for 20 newly selected students headed to the Latin American School of Medicine.

$10,000 will help us organize our first consciousness-raising humanitarian aid caravan to Haiti.

$15,000 will enable us to expand our fiscal sponsor services to dozens more grassroots community organizations across the U.S.

We know that you stand with us in this struggle at this historic juncture.

You also know how hard we work to stretch every donated dollar we receive. We hope you will take a moment now to send a check, make a monthly pledge or a one time donation by check, phone or our secure website.

You can take direct action to ensure that IFCO stays strong!

Send a tax-deductible donation (check or credit card) today.

Make a monthly pledge of $25, $50 or $100 to IFCO by mail, web or phone.

Reach out to your networks - ask them to make a donation to IFCO today.

Click the Donate Now button on our website at:

https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=4382

When our founding Executive Director, Rev. Lucius Walker Jr. started the Latin American School of Medicine scholarship program ten years ago, he dreamed that a stream of committed young doctors would flow back into our communities. That dream is now a reality.

Gail Walker meeting with officials of the Latin American School of Medicine in November 2011.

Today 66 graduates and a dozen young doctors are in residency programs throughout the US. Dozens more are in the licensing pipeline – on their way to serving in communities that need them the most. Just this week a mother of a Medical School student from the South Bronx stopped by our office to thank us for helping her son to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.

It is important that we stand together to ensure IFCO’s future. We hope that you will continue to consider IFCO a resource for progressive social change.

With your support IFCO continues to build bridges with progressive activists throughout the U.S and in Latin America. There is no other national organization that can match IFCO’s ability to connect progressive communities working for human rights and peace with justice.

We are grateful for your continued support.

In solidarity and love,

Gail Walker and Fr. Luis Barrios

Co-Executive Directors

Read more >

Pastors for Peace Caravan Events in 11 Cities Tonite!

luciab — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:51:33 -0500

Manhattan Kansas, St. Louis Missouri, Roanoke Virginia, Taos New Mexico, Colorado Springs Colorado, Knoxville Tennessee, Durham North Carolina, Charleston South Carolina, San Pedro California, Carbondale Illinois, Louisville Kentucky

See the links above to see if we are coming to your hometown!

Click here to see where we are going next!

http://www.ifconews.org/CubaEvents

Don't forget to check out the link to our blog too!

http://www.ifconews.org/Blog-22ndCaravan Read more >

Victory at US-Canada Border for Caravan to Cuba!

luciab — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:04:24 -0500

Pastors for Peace Caravan West Coast Routes Defy the US Blockade! Canadian and American activists successfully transport humanitarian aid across the US/Canada border despite US border authorities’ intimidation and harassment.
Read more >

June 30 - Riverside Church, New York, NY - Memorial for Rev. Lucius Walker, Jr.

luciab — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:05:20 -0500

Join IFCO/Pastors for Peace as we honor our founding director and visionary leader Rev. Lucius Walker, Jr. and celebrate the launch of our 22nd Caravan to Cuba. Cultural acts include the New York Labor Chorus and Kongo. Call our office at 212-926-5757 for more information. You can also download the attached event flyer here.

US Grads of Cuban Medical School Give Volunteer Service in Haiti

luciab — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:27:30 -0600

Dr. Narciso Ortíz one of four 2010 graduates of the Latin American School of Medicine (LASM) is working with the Cuban medical teams in Haiti as they battle the cholera epidemic there. See inside for more information about LASM graduates working in Haiti, and the efforts to rebuild Haiti’s medical infrastructure. (photo: EFE) Read more >

Trained in Cuba, U.S. Doctors Describe Month in Haiti

luciab — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:46:53 -0600

by Renee Feltz, the Indypendent, March 12, 2010

After the Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti, Dr. Melissa Barber received a call asking her to help treat people left injured and living in squalid conditions.

“There was no question,” said Barber, 30, who was born and raised in the Bronx and worked in quality assessment at St. Barnabas Hospital in the heart of the borough. “I actually resigned and I made plans to go to Haiti for a month. That is how much it’s ingrained in me to help the underserved communities when they are in need.”

Read more >

Curriculum and plan of studies

amrosell — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:41:59 -0500

An overview of the curriculum and general plan of studies at the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana, Cuba Read more >

Luis Barrios: Milwaukee February 22: Challenging U.S. Policy and Domination

luciab — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:57:12 -0600

October 28th IFCO Fundraiser Was a Great Success

luciab — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:21:32 -0600

Gail Walker and Rev. Luis Barrios Welcome Guests

Nov. 5th NYC Hear Rev. Luis Barrios Campaign to Free the Cuban 5

luciab — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:44:28 -0500