At 16 years old, Edward Simms stood in a Virginia courtroom and was told by a judge that he was ‘irredeemable.’ Raised in a single-parent household by a mother who had him while she was still a minor, Simms experienced an unstable childhood. He left home at age 12 to live with his aunt, who later went to prison. At 16, Simms was arrested after committing three armed robberies in the span of a few weeks. Due to Virginia’s newly enacted three-strikes law, he was declared ineligible for parole and sentenced to life in prison. Think back to your own […]

Escalating Disasters and FEMA Uncertainty “I have not been affected, why should I care?”, “I care about people before I worry about plants and animals.” These are the words of irritation and apathy toward environmental policy. Climate news and subsequent political implications generate a myriad of responses — frustration at partisan disagreement, suspicion toward those calling for action, and confusion about all the information available. Notably, a third of Americans express annoyance that these issues occupy so much attention.    But what about when disaster strikes?  In recent years, the number of devastating natural disasters have skyrocketed. National Centers for Environmental […]

As a child, Danny suffered through abuse and trauma. His family faced poverty that was severe enough to enter them into Virginia’s welfare system. In the instability and danger of his childhood, he struggled to feel safe, and he didn’t think he belonged anywhere. Today, Danny doesn’t like to talk much about his past, but the traumas of his childhood lurk in the shadows of his adult life. He is currently serving time at an adult facility, but he and his family have become strong advocates for those in similar situations. They know intimately how valuable these children’s lives are […]

This article is part of our series exploring the role of faith-based organizations in providing vital support and care to those affected by HIV/AIDS through PEPFAR. Throughout this series, we will highlight the importance of a clean, five-year reauthorization of PEPFAR to ensure the stability and continuity of lifesaving treatment. TW: This article discusses sexual assault. Consecrated Collaboration “The first time I met her, her eyes had no glimmer and she had no hope,” Jenna Gloggin. Gloggin was a nurse at Hope Worldwide in Kenya, an international charity that serves nearly 1 million people annually on every inhabited continent by […]

This article is part of our series exploring the role of faith-based organizations in providing vital support and care to those affected by HIV/AIDS through PEPFAR. Throughout this series, we will highlight the importance of a clean, five-year reauthorization of PEPFAR to ensure the stability and continuity of lifesaving treatment. Comfort to Care: ACT’s Early Days Genet* was only six the first time Alemu visited the room she shared with her mother. He brought food, checked on her health, and ensured that both were taking an antibiotic to prevent pneumonia. Infected with HIV, Genet and her mother were at high risk […]

This article is part of our series exploring the role of faith-based organizations in providing vital support and care to those affected by HIV/AIDS through PEPFAR. Throughout this series, we will highlight the importance of a clean, five-year reauthorization of PEPFAR to ensure the stability and continuity of lifesaving treatment. The Current State and History of PEPFAR As of this writing, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is facing significant funding cuts. PEPFAR is a vital avenue and program that has facilitated the life-saving treatment of approximately 25 million people around the world, a significant portion of whom are […]