VOICE Ministry
Advocating for Justice in our Community
We focus on issues that highly impact people and families in everyday life
Current VOICE Initiatives
Updated February 2025
“Our prayer is one of hope that, as a Nation blessed with many gifts, our actions demonstrate a genuine care for our most vulnerable sisters and brothers, including the unborn, the poor, the elderly and infirm, and migrants and refugees. The just Judge expects nothing less.”
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio,
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
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WELCOME THE STRANGER – 2025
The US Catholic Bishops have come out very strongly reminding the American people that immigrants must be treated with justice.
Crisis Receiving Center
Updated February 2025
Please join us on Sunday, June 1st from 10:30 to11:30am in the Parish Dining Facility when representatives from the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) will conduct an informational session on the Crisis Receiving Center.
Watch for more information in the Parish Bulletin.
Learn more by clicking the button below for the CRC Community Information Session document.
Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinanceg
Updated February 2025
A final decision on wording for the ordinance is expected by the spring of 2025.
Housing Trust Fund
PWC is also working on how it will use the $30.5M currently earmarked for this fund between now and 2029. Possible options being considered are: rent subsidies, new home building, support of the Low-Income Tax Credit (LITC) program
Statewide Zoning for Mission-Driven Housing
(Faith-In-Housing)
Virginia House of Delegates Bill- 2153 which allows local governments to streamline zoning laws to reduce time and expense for religious and other non-profit organizations to construct affordable housing on property they own was approved by the VA House of Delegates (still needs approval by VA Senate and signature by the Governor)
Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance
PWC is requesting the 2025 VA Legislature provide the authority for the county to enact the strongest possible ordinance (one which requires mandatory compliance by developers). As an alternative , the County is also preparing to enact a less stringent ordinance (one requiring voluntary developer compliance).
Learn about PWC’s plan for Affordable Housing in 2025: The State of the County
Learn more about the issues involved in Affordable Housing: Can Luxury Housing Do Anything For Homelessness?
CRC MEDICAID FUNDING ISSUE
THE ISSUE: A significant issue has arisen with regards to funding for the operation of Virginia’s Crisis Receiving Centers(CRC). In a recent ruling the Commonwealth Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)is now considering CRC’s with more than 16 patient capacity (at one time) as an Institute for Mental Health Diseases. (aka a mental hospital) which does not qualify for support under MEDICAID.
Since the PWC CRC is set to open in the summer of 2025 with a total capacity of 32 (16 adult and 16 youth), individuals using this facility would not be covered under MEDICAID and must either have private insurance or pay directly for this type of support. The only other alternative would be for PWC tax dollars to pay for the retreatment of these clients. The annual cost to the county is estimated at $8M annually.
THE SOLUTION: Prince William County has submitted a request to VA Department of Medical Assistance (DMAS)Services (1115 Waiver) which would exempt CRC’s for this capacity size restriction.
Additionally, the county has asked the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (the Federal Agency who administers MEDICAID) to intervene and provide guidance to DMAS which exempts CRC’s from this capacity restriction and thus allow MEDICAID funding to cover their operating costs as well as submitting a request to the Commonwealth for action to correct this problem in its 2025 Legislative Package.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
The DMAS 1115 Serious Mental Illness Demonstration Waiver Amendment Application has been submitted and is posted for public comment until December 11, 2024. You can provide your support for this waiver by contacting the DMAS Behavioral Health Division Director by letter or via the Town Hall public comment form at:
https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/Forums.cfm.
(scroll down to Board of Medical Assistance Services – Item #1)
We are your VOICE
Who we are
VOICE is a ministry of the parish that advocates for social justice on issues important to Prince William County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The VOICE ministry provides an avenue for parishioners to become involved in their local communities, be an agent for social justice/change, and present a Catholic voice in the public square about important public policy issues
Why it’s important
The majority of VOICE issues are family and human dignity issues. Other parish ministries also address these topics, the parish VOICE ministry focuses on issues that highly impact people and families in everyday life – especially those communities of the poor and minorities. “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” (Luke 12:48)
Go Deeper
VOICE is called to be ever faithful in our ministry. We celebrate accomplishments, renew our efforts on works-in-progress, and always work for the greater glory of God. Read about some of our past and on-going efforts of this ministry in the briefs below.
How we advocate
VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) is a non-partisan coalition of almost 50 faith communities and civic organizations in Northern Virginia working together to create justice in middle and low-income communities. We advocate in the Northern Virginia region as faithful Catholics following the spirit of Dialogue and Proclamation, the 1991 document which encourages the faithful to work in advocacy and action with other Christians and people of different faiths. Read about one of our recent (Dec 2022) joint efforts.
Successful VOICE Initiatives
Prince William County Pre K
Eight years ago, the Prince William County Public School (PWCPS) system only had 8 Pre K classes. The St. Francis of Assisi VOICE ministry began an initiative, that with the help of many other groups, changed Pre K availability for all. Today there are 80 Pre K classes in PWCPS. Learn more.
Investing in Schools
Too often we hear about a school lockdown, sad but occasionally necessary. What is always necessary is to lift up our children not only in education but also in health and emotional wellbeing. Did you know that one in five children and adolescents experience a mental health problem during their school years, but 60% don’t receive the support and treatment they need? Of the remaining 40%, two-thirds of them receive the treatment they need in the school setting. Want to help? Contact us!
Laws that Burden the Poor
In 2018, Virginia’s threshold for felony theft was the lowest in the country at $250. For decades, thousands of Virginians have been saddled with felony convictions on their records for minor property crimes. Did you know that Virginia was one of the few states to suspend driver’s license for unpaid court debt. Both these unduly affect the poor, creating even more burdens in daily life. VOICE led campaigns that changed these laws. Learn more.
VOICE Ministry Contact Form
This contact form is for those who want to contact ministry leaders, ask questions, or find out to become involved in the Church’s outreach to the public square where we live.
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