Visit us at www.becausejusticematters.org

"Justice denied anywhere diminishes justice everywhere." Martin Luther King

You cannot turn on the TV or open a newspaper without the issue of social justice staring right back at you. In our nation and our world today, this is the issue at the center of every speech, demonstration and political gathering. Even Hollywood is tackling injustice in movies and advertisements. San Francisco is no exception. Our city holds justice deep at the core of its personality and culture. National and international issues are debated and discussed in our universities, cafes and on street corners.

We believe that justice is also near to the heart of God. Isaiah 9 declares that Jesus came to uphold justice and righteousness. We need to be involved in issues that move the heart of God. We need to be involved in Social Justice.

Because Justice Matters works to end injustice by taking a stand against:

Domestic Violence

1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime. 1 in 3 teens know someone in a dating relationship who has been physically abused. Domestic violence is a pattern of power and control in a relationship. It can include emotional, verbal, sexual and financial abuse. Many women are trapped in these violent relationships and are often unable to find support from family or friends. In 2006 alone, California Law enforcement received 176,000 domestic violence related calls. We believe that by supporting victims of violence and working to educate towards non-violence, we can see these statistics change.

Modern Day Slavery

Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of people for the purposes of slavery, forced labor (including bonded labor or debt bondage) and servitude. It is estimated to be a $5 to $9 billion-a-year industry.  Traffickers often prey on individuals who are poor, frequently unemployed or underemployed, and who may lack access to social safety nets, predominantly women and children in certain countries. Victims are often lured with false promises of good jobs and better lives, and then forced to work under brutal and inhuman conditions.

In San Francisco many massage parlors front for illegal sexual activity. Many women are held against their will and daily sold into prostitution, threatened with beatings or endangerment to the families back home.

Economic Inequality

With 37 million people in the US living below the poverty line, the issue of economic inequality is important to address. 17% of our children live in families considered poor – that's 13 million children. Child poverty rates are highest among Black, Latino and Native American youth.

People experience poverty when they don't have the financial means to take part in mainstream society. To do this they need education, basic life skills, jobs and social networks. Currently the US government measures poverty levels using an income standard. This was developed in the 1960's and is a national standard. In 2008 the standard for a family of three is $17,600. That means if a family of three brings in an income lower than this amount they are considered living below the poverty line.

Working poor is a term used to describe families who have employment but are unable to bring in an income high enough to lift them out of poverty. Despite desperate attempts, these families may not have access to the benefits they need like health care or the possibility of employment advancement. This means that their financial journey is laden with challenges that are often impossible to overcome.

Discrimination against Immigrants

For newly arrived immigrants, there are many unique and specific obstacles in finding their way to the American Dream. Over one third of all employed foreign born workers are from Central America. They are often faced with racism and discrimination and are disproportionately likely to experience poverty. Immigrants have high employment rates but are more likely to receive lower wages. Many immigrants describe being stuck in low level jobs and the struggle to find safe, affordable housing.

Isolation and loss of community can be detrimental to recent immigrants who have previously depended on their support networks.  Language is a barrier but there is a lack of schools offering ESL. Because of this many immigrant children fall behind and a shortage of bilingual teachers and counselors only exasperates the problem.

Immigrant families face the stress of a new culture, long hours at work, cramped living quarters and language barriers. Many families are exhausted and discouraged.

My heart is San Francisco even though I live in Sweet Home Alabama. Ever since my youth group did a mission trip to YWAM San Francisco, I've known God has always wanted me back. This past summer I had the privilege of going back and being summer staff. While there, God completely changed me.