Small Scale Farming in Perspective |
"There is a reason that Quixote Center supports small-scale farmers in Haiti.
"Small-scale farmers, defined as farming two hectares or less, produce about 35% of the world's food supply. When the number of hectares goes up to 10, they produce nearly 80% of the world's food. Approximately 80% of the global population living under the poverty line of $1.90 per day is rural and subsisting on small-scale farming. Globally, we depend on small-scale farmers for our food supply, yet they can't make a living.....
"Enabling small-scale farmers to earn a living on their land reduces global poverty and insecurity, contributes to environmental restoration, and eliminates one of the major 'push' factors for migration."
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One of Quixote Center's Board members, Frank DeBernardo, recently wrote a biography of Father Mychal Judge, OFM, the Franciscan priest who died at the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks while he ministered to first responders and victims in his role as chaplain to the New York City Fire Department. Published by Liturgical Press, Mychal Judge: 'Take Me Where You Want Me to Go,' looks at how this Franciscan priest developed spiritually in his life through serving as a parish priest, recovering from alcoholism, ministering to homeless people, those with HIV/AIDS, and the LGBTQ+ Catholic community.
The book also takes a serious look at Fr. Judge's identity as a gay man, and how his acceptance of his identity helped him develop a deeper spirituality and courageous spirit of service. DeBernardo is the executive director of New Ways Ministry, a national Catholic ministry of justice and reconciliation for LGBTQ+ people and the wider church and civil communities. New Ways Ministry had its origins as a project during the early years of the Quixote Center when LGBTQ+ issues were a major part of the organization's agenda.
DeBernardo, who has served as a QC Board member since 2003, was also on the staff of the Center in the late 1980s.
For more information about the book or to order a copy, click here. |
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The Biden administration has announced that it will move forward with a new regulation to block migrants from applying for asylum if they did not first apply for asylum in a third, "safe" country on their way to the border.
This would amounts to a ban on asylum, as it would disqualify most migrants from being able to apply. It is also a gross violation of international and domestic law.
Remind Congress and the White House that we are a country that welcomes asylum seekers. |
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This Valentine's day, you can choose love by supporting the work of the Quixote Center to foster sustainable income generation in Haiti, house migrants along their journey, and work towards immigration justice by sending a Valentine e-gram! With a gift of $5 or more, we will email your desired design and message. Simply click on the link below to donate. |
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BHM Series: Artist Corner |
You may have noticed a special piece of art above your Google Search Bar this week. As part of Google's Black History Doodle series, Haitian-American artist Lyne Lucien created a tribute to Haitian disability activist and model, Mama Cax (Cacsmy Brutus).
Mama Cax broke barriers in the fashion world as a disability rights advocate. She was diagnosed with bone and lung cancer at the age of 14, and had her right leg imputed at the age of 16 after an unsuccessful hip replacement surgery. She struggled for years to accept her new body, but came to embrace her prosthetic leg and began incorporating it into her own fashion with stylish coverings. She made her debut as a model in 2017, landing on the cover of Teen Vogue and walking in two New York Fashion Weeks the following year. She tragically passed in 2019, but her legacy lives on.
Lyne Lucien is an award-winning Haitian artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Below are earlier sketches she created in honor of Mama Cax. To see more of her work, visit her website HERE. |
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