June 17, 2006, Meeting Summary
DGAAN: DuPage Glocal AIDS Action Network
Auditorium, Wheaton Franciscan Campus
Wheaton, IL

  1. Co-chairs; S. Sheila Kinsey, OSF, D. Min., Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation (JPIC), Wheaton Franciscans; Dr. Ashley Woodiwiss, Ph.D., Dept. Politics and International Relations, Wheaton College. 50 participant were present.
  2. Dr. Ashley welcome the group and gave a brief history on Dgaan and led the reflection.
  3. S. Florence Muia, ASN Founder and President of Upendo Village, showed a powerpoint presentation on Upendo Village’s local project to combat the HIV/AIDS. She also shared highlights from her recent attendance at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV and AIDS held from May 30 – June 2nd, 2006.

DGAAN Members Actions:


1. S. Sheila Kinsey, OSF, Wheaton Franciscans
a. Shared her recent experience as a participant at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Meeting on HIV/AIDS. (To view the complete presentation, please click unto this link)
b. Participated in the Global Council meeting for the Diocese of Joliet.
c. Interviewed by Catholic News Service regarding my reactions to the UNGASS
d. Accompanied S. Florence Muia, ASN to (UNGASS) meeting, where addressed how poverty relates to the spread of HIV and AIDS. She also spoke to the staff at the archdiocesan offices in New York City and a group of churches in Harlem

2. Anne Batchelder, The One Campaign

a. Lobbying and organizing the chair of appropriations, with representative Lewis in San Bernardino, California.
b. Attended CARE conference in D.C. and lobbied Illinois representative and Senators
c. Traveled to Nigeria with Gwaimen Center, sustainability center for widows and orphans in Kwoi, Nigeria

3. Ron Durbin, St. Joan of Arc Social Justice/Peace Ministry
a. Hosted the S.T.E.P program on 4/30/06, where 200 attended
---150 signed the petition for the One campaign
--- Legislative advocacy, letters to Governor Ron Blagojevich and Senators Durbin and Obama
--- Collected $12,000 for CRS, and local needs
b. On 5/6/06 offering of letters, JublieeUSA support to 1% of budget. Also on 5/7/06 received 460 letters addressed to senators and representatives
c. On 6/24-25/06 Sr. Florence Muia, ASN, will show a presentation at St. Joan of Arc masses
d. Called Representative Judy Biggert office to support Obama, Hyde, commitment for $ 50 million for Darfur, she voted no.
e. On 9/17/06 hosting a Big Band event, all proceeds will go to Upendo Village.

4. Mary Rittman & Karen Claeys, Upendo Village
a. Began the Student Sponsorship Program; 11 children are currently sponsored
b. Sr. Florence presented her program at Downers Grove North High School on May 26th. Thereafter 5 of the sponsored children have been co-sponsored by clubs/classes at the school.
c. Taped an interview on Downers Grove cable TV, about Upendo Village and the sponsorship program. It will be aired later this summer.

5. Suzie Broomes, Wheaton Franciscans
a. Attended and completed spring semester @ C.O.D for indesign software to help create more effective advocacy displays for the JPIC office.
b. Currently enlisted in the summer semester @ C.O.D, to take Dreamweaver for web publishing on the Dgaan and The Wheaton Franciscans Sisters website.

6. Tony Dawson/Dr. Evvy Campbell, Wheaton College
a. Established strategic plan for ‘06-‘07 HIV/AIDS Task Force Action at Wheaton College
b. W.C. hosted Urbana AIDS Track Steering Committee on May 12-13
c. Began dialoguing with World Vision to support other schools efforts regarding HIV/AIDS work.

7. Dan-Drischoll-Shaw, JublieeUSA
a. Gave 2 workshops on Jubliee/Debt Cancellation at the Diocese of Joliet Gathering
b. Locally promoted the Debt Cancellation for Haiti

8. John St. Laurent, St. Thomas The Apostle Parishioner, Diocese of Joliet
a. Working continuously at developing the End Extreme Poverty Program for the Diocese of Joliet
b. Currently working on the Offering of Letters Campaign to be held at St. Thomas the Apostle (Naperville) on June 24-25, 2006
c. On the planning group for STEPS towards Elimination Poverty event scheduled for October 8, 2006 at All Saints Academy in Naperville.

9. Shayne Moore, One Campaign, Wheaton Bible Church AIDS Task Force
a. NBC sent a camera crew to interview local ONE Campaigner(s) including herself. One hour "special" possible to air in a few weeks
b. Working with Mosaic Initiative to plan Pastoral Training in the fall, World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast on Dec 1st.
c. Meeting with Wheaton Bible Church AIDS Task Force to urge more local involvement in addition to internationally.