Our Annual Impact Report
After closing our fiscal year (August 2020-July 2021) this summer, we're reflecting on our collective impact. Join us in looking back on a year of working for peace and justice in Honduras, and inspiring communities across the world to do the same.
A Message from Our Executive Director
Jill Stoltzfus
Dear Friend,
ASJ, like many of you, has witnessed many changes over the past year. But throughout it all, several things have remained true. First,
justice never shut down—our team came together like never before in support of justice and transparency in Honduras. From launching ground-breaking investigations to supporting communities, distance didn’t get in the way of our commitment to a more just Honduras.
And secondly,
you stood with us in pursuing justice. You responded and invested meaningfully in our work for justice in Honduras. And through events and learning opportunities, we inspired and challenged each other to build a more just society wherever we are.
I hope this report reminds you of what is possible when we work together with a beautiful vision of peace and justice. I encourage you to reach out with stories of how ASJ has impacted you over the past year. We look forward to continuing to grow with you in the season to come.
¡Bendiciones!
I. Justice Never Shut Down
Landmark investigations into justice and transparency defined our work in 2021
Investigations during COVID-19
With COVID-19 threatening both physical health, economic security, and peace in Honduras, ASJ staff quickly mobilized a team to respond to challenges to justice. We knew that Honduras needed a transparent and well-executed public health response to save lives.
Within months, ASJ investigated $80 million of the government’s purchases of COVID-19 tests, ventilators, biosecurity gear, and mobile hospitals. The publication of our reports helped fuel calls for transparency, and changes in leadership in charge of key health purchases.
Receiving International Recognition
ASJ was selected as a winner of the 2021 World Justice Challenge in recognition of our work for justice during the pandemic. The prize was awarded by the World Justice Project, an international civil society group dedicated to promoting the rule of law. During a season of creating innovative projects while facing unexpected challenges, we are beyond honored that our team’s creativity and resilience was honored in this way.
Dedicated to Recovery
What does it look like for Honduras to pursue recovery beyond the pandemic? Here are two examples of the many ways ASJ is contributing to an atmosphere where every Honduran can access health, education, and safety.
Monitoring Vaccine Distribution
Every two weeks, we host press conferences with youth leaders, mayors, and health experts to analyze and report on the nation's progress with systemic health challenges.
Advocating for Children's Return to School
ASJ presented a proposal for the safe re-opening of Honduran schools, an initiative in service of the estimated
1.3 million children out of the system. After raising our voice with other groups, the Ministry of Education has adopted a reopening strategy that is already benefiting 18,000 students, with more to come.
II. Standing with Community
We are finding creative ways to connect, learn, and work together with community members.
Solidarity with Neighbors
Almost a year after two intense hurricanes wreaked havoc in Honduras, our staff and communities continue to collaborate in recovery, from repairing roofs to providing educational assistance and social support. Thanks to the immediate response by many of you, we have supported more than 58 families composed of over 250 people. Listen to one story from ASJ Co-Founder Jo Ann Van Engen about working with our neighbors below.
Connecting with Honduras' Future
In a time of increased vulnerability, our youth impact clubs offer mentorship, safe social activities, and tutoring to some 260 children in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. Together, we’ve connected these students with resources to stay in school, held workshops on creating a culture of peace, and provided legal and psychological assistance.
"Thank you so much for training us and giving us these important tools. You show us that we can be agents of change and set a new precedent and path. God bless you.”
A comment from a participant in our workshops teaching over 45 churches and faith-based organizations how to recognize and report cases of child sexual abuse.
Advancing Public Health
Our team of social auditors—community members trained to monitor health clinics in their communities—looked into the supply, storage and distribution of medications, treatment of patients, and adequate personnel. In fact, these auditors, many of them parents and grandparents, are now instructing teenagers in this methodology that equips them to have an impact in their communities.
A Space for Justice
Even while our staff has worked remotely, our Honduras office has continued to serve as a space for justice. Throughout the year, our staff has used the building to host socially distanced press conferences, trainings on sexual abuse prevention for churches, collect post-hurricane assistance, and organize collaborative meetings with partners and officials.
III. We Are Stronger Together
At ASJ, we are committed to sharing our research and experiences in order to spark justice around us. This past year, we partnered with other justice seekers to advocate for justice and peace.
01 Immigration
We want to see Hondurans flourish wherever they are. By sharing our analysis of violence and corruption, we’re helping international partners and leaders understand a) the root causes of migration in Central America and b) how organizations like ASJ are part of creating hope in Honduras.
At
briefings facilitated by our friends at the National Immigration Forum and the Evangelical Immigration Table, we shared ASJ’s work and proposals with
congressional staffers and Christian nonprofit leaders.
02 Berta Cáceres
Honduran activist Berta Cáceres dedicated her life to defending indigenous communities.
When the trial into her murder was facing delays, the boards of ASJ-US, Honduras, and Canada
signed onto a letter to Honduran officials and U.S. Congress members underlying the importance of the case.
After civil society outcry, members of U.S. Congress published their own letter, and the case was ultimately resolved with a historic conviction that
Berta’s mother later wrote, “is a testament to what can be achieved when we raise our voices against injustice.”
03 Vaccine Equity
In a context where a few wealthy countries had first access to life-saving vaccines, ASJ joined the People’s Vaccine campaign
asking the U.S. to share vaccine recipes and donations with Honduras.
Several supporters signed onto an OSJ/World Renew petition, complementing 200 Honduran organizations' letter to the Biden administration emphasizing the importance of collaboration in an equitable recovery. Soon afterwards, Honduras received 3 million vaccine donations, helping the partially vaccinated rate increase from 6.5% to 30%.
ASJ was quoted in 27 articles this year, including publications like Foreign Policy, NPR, the Economist, Christianity Today, Insight Crime, World Magazine, Christian Science Monitor, Vice News, and World Politics Review.
We were invited to speak at over 17 virtual events with partner organizations, including World Justice Project, Seattle International Foundation, National Immigration Forum, Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, and Evangelical Immigration Table.
Becoming a More Just Organization
While in pursuit of a more just society, we seek to become more just ourselves! This commitment has put on a lifelong journey of asking "who do we want to be?," pursuing antiracism, and building diversity, equity, and inclusion into our operations. We believe everyone is essential to the work of justice.
- All staff and board members have completed anti-racism training, which has given us language and tools to strive for the Biblical vision of shalom.
- We did a full audit and revamp of our hiring and training process to identify and root out bias and equip our staff to be leaders for equity. We also formalized our board onboarding process and have begun an audit of our board recruitment policies.
- We are creating new standards to center Honduran voices in our communications and events, and to explore equity in decision-making with our partner, ASJ-Honduras.
IV. Pursuing Justice with You
Your support, presence, prayers, and advocacy help sustain our hope in a more just society. We do this work together and are grateful for your presence with us over the past year.
We're thrilled that many of you have found ASJ's Co-Founder Kurt Ver Beek and Christian philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff's book, Call for Justice, enlightening in your justice journey. We've even had several groups lead book studies to dive deeper and think about justice in their own contexts!
Writing for Justice
We are passionate about sharing the message that anyone can contribute to justice, regardless of age or background. In our first-ever justice essay contest, we heard from middle school students answering the prompt in English and Spanish, "What is an issue that you believe needs justice and why? Who is impacted by this issue and what will the world look like if it is fixed?" Our winner, Delyla Martínez, best represented the spirit of our vision, "working for a just society together" with her piece on discrimination against women.
Ever since I was 8, I loved to write. It was my hobby and something I enjoyed doing. This is probably why English Language Arts is my favorite subject in school. My dream is to become an author when I graduate high school.
We are thankful for the gift of consistency and sustainability from supporters like you!
Our 35 church partners have walked alongside us through the last year, offering both prayer and financial support. Together, these churches raised about $55,000 to support the work of ASJ!
Our community of Justice Partners, supporters who give monthly to the work of justice, continues to grow. Now this dedicated group numbers 290, contributing $20,000 to ASJ every month.
Financial Transparency
The below information is for FY'21 (August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021)
SUPPORT & REVENUE
Contributions & Grants
Rental Income
Other Income
Total Support & Revenue
$2,021,840
$360,000
$11,536
$2,393,376
Contribution Sources
EXPENSES
Program
Fundraising
Administration
Total Support & Revenue
$2,008,143
$163,811
$56,737
$2,228,691
Expenses Breakdown
Assets
Current Assets
Property and Equipment
Total Assets
$757,723
$4,700,370
$5,458,093
Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Long Term Liabilities
Total Liabilities
$250,712
$1,591,633
$1,842,344
Net Assets
Without Donor Restrictions
With Donor Restrictions
Total Net Assets
$3,453,248
$162,500
$3,615,748
Notes
Audited financial statements and our 990 for FY'21 are expected to be available in December 2021.
ASJ-US is committed to responsible stewardship of its funds. ASJ-US and our partners undergo external audits each year to ensure quality, accuracy, and ethics of our financial management. Because of our commitment to transparency, ASJ-US has earned the GuideStar Exchange Platinum Seal, as well as the Excellence in Giving’s Commitment to Transparency Seal. ASJ-US is also an accredited agency with the Better Business Bureau, and we have received a score of 100 in Charity Navigator's Encompass Rating System.
Thank you for joining us in reflecting on the ongoing work of justice.
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Association for a More Just Society - U.S. (ASJ-US)
PO Box 888631, Grand Rapids, MI 49588
| info@asj-us.org | 1 (800) 897-1135
ASJ (formerly known as AJS) changed our name in 2021 to reflect our partnership with Honduras and our Honduran roots. Learn more.
© 2022 ASJ-US All Rights Reserved. ASJ-US is a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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