About Us: a brief history

Colorado Interfaith Voices for Justice (CIVJ) was unveiled in 2009 from the merger of two faith-based organizations: Housing Justice! and Hunger for Justice. The two organizations realized their similar missions and visions and began to work towards
a common mission to educate faith communities and advocate on behalf of the impoverished in Colorado on issues of affordable housing, hunger, healthcare, criminal justice reform and welfare.

In the 2010 State Legislative Session, CIVJ supported many critical bills including, but not limited to:

• SB0006: Identification Documents to Reduce Poverty

• HB 1017: Voluntary Agreement Affecting Rent

• HB 1022: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Outreach

• HB 1179: Primary Care Act, and

• HB 1351: Payday Lending Reform.

Learn more about these bills at our legislative summary page.

Colorado Interfaith Voices for Justice co-sponsored Faith Advocacy Day 2010 that empowered and educated 125 people of faith to become advocates on issues of affordable housing, health care and hunger.

Throughout 2009, Hunger for justice was actively involved in legislation that addressed some of the root causes of hunger in Colorado, including a bill that allowed children in Early Childhood Education who qualified for the reduced-priced lunch to receive it free; the creation of the Legislative Task Force to look at poverty reduction in the state and the expansion of Colorado's Medicaid system to include single adults.

In 2008, Housing Justice! successfully helped launch Aurora Warms the Night, a motel voucher program for the homeless in the city of Aurora and hosted the Housing Summit bringing together many affordable-housing advocates in the Spring of 2009.

How do I get involved?

Voices for Justice would be happy to talk to you about your faith community or faith-based agency becoming a member organization. We also provide education forums and other advocacy opportunities. Individuals are welcome to sign-up to receive action alerts throughout the legislative session.