Bending the Arc

NETWORK Advocates is launching See. Love. Vote., a 501(c)(3) non-partisan voter engagement and education campaign rooted in the Catholic Social Justice tradition. This is a multi-faith, non-partisan effort to engage and mobilize everyone to participate in the 2026 elections.  

Led by NETWORK Advocates and faith partners across the country, they are connecting communities with the tools they need to be informed and energized voters, inspired by the common good. The goal is simple: move people to participate in our democracy by voting, informed by facts and grounded by faith. Together, we can make life better for all. 

To celebrate the kick-off of this campaign and share ways to get involved, NETWORK and our faith partners are hosting a See. Love. Vote. Virtual Launch Party on Thursday, July 9 at 6:30 PM Central.  At this event, you will hear faith leaders and advocates across the country share what they are seeing in their communities, how they are responding with love, and why they are voting. You will also learn about the tools and resources that we will provide throughout the election season to make sure that everyone is an informed and engaged voter!
 

You are invited to join Land Justice Futures on Tuesday, July 7, as the apply a critical, historical lens to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, learn about the Indigenous roots of American democracy, and discuss the unfinished work of truth-telling, repair, and right relationship for the next 250 years.

We will be in conversation with Condoled Mohawk Clanmother “Mommabear” Louise Herne, How We Citizen host Baratunde Thurston, and Reverend Sara Jolena Wolcott, a theologian and descendent of one of the signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

In this webinar we will…

• Learn about how the Founding Fathers and the unrealized ideals of the United States – liberty, justice, equality of all – were inspired by Haudenosaunee democratic tradition spanning over 1000 years.
• Hear about the fundamental Indigenous principles and civic structures that were ignored or misunderstood in the formation of the Republic, and the foundational political philosophy that is still on offer from Haudenosaunee elders.
• Reflect on the current state of our democracy and what's needed in this change of era.
• Ground in what it might look like to de-center “Independence” and move towards becoming a society that honors our Interdependence.

REGISTER HERE

In advance of this event, you are invited to consider these reflection questions and read this essay from LJF’s Sarah Bradley. While not required to participate, the hope is these resources offer you important context and insights to think about in the weeks ahead.
 

World Refugee Day 2026 is June 20. It comes at a time when the promise of safety is being tested in every region of the world. Seventy-five years after the adoption of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, that promise remains one of the clearest undertakings of the international community: that people forced to flee should not be returned to danger, and should be able to live in dignity while displaced. Born from the ruins of war, it was never meant for one region, one generation or one people, but for humanity as a whole.

That safeguard is urgently needed today. More than 117 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, including families uprooted by war in the Sudan, violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and prolonged crises in Ukraine, Afghanistan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Myanmar and beyond. When people fleeing danger are denied protection, insecurity deepens: families are driven on to perilous routes, children lose years of learning, women and girls face greater risks, and host communities are left without the support they need. Protecting refugees is therefore not only an act of compassion; it is a condition of stability and peace.

“Until Everyone Is Safe” is a call to keep that promise alive. It calls on governments to uphold fair and accessible asylum systems, donors to sustain life-saving support, communities to welcome those forced to flee and each of us to defend the principle that safety must never depend on nationality, wealth, race, religion, gender, political opinion or migration status. Protection is fulfilled only when people forced to flee can live without fear, rebuild their lives, contribute to their communities and, when conditions allow, return home voluntarily, safely and with dignity.

Read more at https://www.un.org/en/observances/refugee-day 

World Rainforest Day is an annual global observation held on June 22. Launched in 2017 by the Rainforest Partnership, the movement highlights the critical role tropical forests play in stabilizing the climate, preserving biodiversity, and supporting local communities.

Recent successes include:

1. Empowering over 100 women across five indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon by supporting sustainable livelihood projects that build economic resilience.
2. Protecting 149,500 acres in the Ecuadorian Amazon by supporting indigenous communities’ stewardship of the rainforest and resistance to deforestation.
3. Discovering 5 new species in 2024, 10 potential new species, and published manuscripts for an additional 4 new species.

Learn more at http://rainforestpartnership.org/ 
 

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has received federal guidance about the new federal Medicaid work requirement states must implement and is actively conducting a comprehensive review. The requirement was signed into law on July 4, 2025, in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). OBBBA required the federal government to issue guidance by June 1, 2026.

The federal Medicaid work requirement for states will go into effect early next year. Because of the new federal requirements, some adults enrolled in BadgerCare Plus will need to show that they work, go to school, or volunteer, to keep their coverage. 

DHS will provide an update about the Medicaid work requirement at our upcoming webinar. This webinar will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. 

Register for the June 18 webinar

Read the full Wisconsin DHS message.
 

Wisconsin’s first Two-Spirit Pow Wow is being held at Woodland Bowl in Keshena, WI on Saturday, June 13, 2026. It is a safe, welcoming celebration for Two Spirits, Indigiqueers, and allies. All nations and allies are welcome. Learn more at https://witwospirit.com/#getinvolved 

With June being Pride Month as well as Indigenous History Month, it is imperative to discuss and bring attention to the history of Two-Spirit (2S) folks. Many individuals are unaware of the term Two-Spirit, where the term originated and the power it carries. 

The concept of Two-Spirit folks existed well before the arrival of European settlers on Turtle Island. Indigenous individuals who identified as Two-Spirit folks were seen as gifted and honored in their community because they carried two spirits with them, both male and female. 2S folks were often the healers, medicine people, and visionaries within their given community, and they were foundational members of their culture. Much of this can be attributed to the “double vision” 2S people are gifted with, being able to see both through the masculine and feminine lens. 

Learn more at https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/the-history-of-two-spirit-folks 
 

Join millions around the world in choosing to avoid single-use plastics during the month of July. Continue all summer, throughout the rest of the year, and then  forever!

Plastic Free July shares resources and ideas to help individuals, workplaces, schools, and communities reduce single-use plastic waste every dat at home, work, school, and even at your local cafe. Learn more at https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/ 
 

Faith in Place’s 2026 Annual Environment & Spirituality Summit will be taking place on September 28-29. Environmental leaders, change makers and founders will come together for two days of intentional conversation. Bill McKibben will be providing the keynote presentation. Bill is an author, educator, and environmentalist who helped found 350.org, the first global grassroots climate campaign, and who has recently helped found Third Act, to build a progressive organizing movement for people over the age of 60.

See the full AES summit agenda

Register Today!

As the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) continue to live out their Laudato Si’ goals of Eco-Spirituality, they invite you to join them on September 29. The CSA Motherhouse will be a watch party site for Bill McKibben’s keynote. When you register, indicate you’d like to join a Watch Party, and you will be emailed information at a later date.