A Faith That Does Justice Impact Report:
Celebrating 10 Years of Putting Faith into Action
There are challenges perhaps in the way God works that are contrary to what we would expect…that really move us off our sense of righteousness, our sense of stability and ask us to reexamine where we are.
Ten years ago, A Faith That Does Justice (AFTDJ) was founded in response to that challenge.
Our founder, Peter Gyves, SJ, MD, believed that faith should unsettle us and draw us into deeper solidarity with those who suffer. Priest and prophet, leader and servant, he brought to life a vision in which we not only profess our faith but live it intentionally in service to others.
What follows highlights our continuing commitment to realizing Father Peter’s vision of a more just world.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Our founder, Father Peter Gyves, SJ, MD believed that faith should unsettle us and draw us into deeper solidarity with those who suffer. Priest and prophet, leader and servant, he brought to life a vision in which we not only profess our faith but live it intentionally in service to others.
Today, our programs serve hundreds of immigrants, refugees, the homeless, the hungry, and other marginalized individuals. Our writings and presentations on social justice and interfaith collaboration reach thousands each week, advancing our work and inspiring our followers and others of goodwill and good faith to act with greater courage, and when necessary, resist even more forcefully the forces of oppression and repression. In a divided moment, interfaith collaboration strengthens our moral clarity, builds solidarity, and amplifies our voices.
The challenges facing our communities and our country today are real and urgent. This is precisely the kind of moment Father Peter prepared us for.
We are deeply grateful for the many ways you have stood with us over the past year. Your encouragement, engagement, donations, ideas, and prayers have made possible all that we do.
What follows highlights our continuing commitment to realizing Father Peter’s vision of a more just world.
Peace and blessings,
Thomas E. Dwyer
President and Executive Director
Experience our 10th anniversary impact report in an interactive flipbook, or continue scrolling for the full content below.
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Meeting the Moment: Raising Faithful Voices for Justice
Our faith-based social justice outreach and awareness is not simply a program but a philosophy of action that undergirds all that we do, believe, and promote. It begins by noticing who is vulnerable and whose voice is missing and needs to be heard.
Delivering Faith in Action:
Direct Service to our Communities in Need
The natural next step to our work engaging in faithful advocacy is direct service to our communities in need. We launched our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program eight years ago to walk in solidarity with immigrants in our community. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising food insecurity in our hometown of Boston, we launched our Grab & Go food program.
Our Service Programs
Welcoming Immigrants: English for Speakers of Other Languages Classes
By the Numbers
- ESOL Adult Students Served in 2025: 180
- ESOL Adult Students Served Since Inception: 1,039
- Class Cycles Completed: 26
Addressing Food Insecurity: Grab & Go Program
By the Numbers
- Grab & Go Food Sites: 2
- Number of Meals Distributed in 2025: 3,885
- Number of Meals Distributed Since Inception: 5,858
The Volunteer Difference: The People Behind the Mission
AFTDJ is an all-volunteer, interfaith organization. Our remarkably talented volunteers are committed and compassionate, supported by funding from our equally compassionate and generous donors. What begins as an act of service or a straightforward donation is transformed into something deeper: a spiritual encounter, a moral commitment, a gift that brings hope.
The Saturday Morning Grab & Go Team
This changes you. You can’t do this [work] and not have it change you.
Teaching (More Than) English to Immigrants
There was enormous satisfaction in being able to once again give yourself to others and to care for them.
Newest Board Member Turns Faith into Action
Rabbi James Greene, the newest member of the Board of Directors, believes that people of different faiths often share far more than is recognized and that when faith communities stand together, their collective voice carries great moral force. For him, interfaith work is both natural and necessary.
The role of a person of faith is to strive to uncover the gifts they have to share and to marshal them in the service of others.
Bringing Vision to Life:
Donors, Partners, Volunteers, Leadership Team, Board Members
The work of AFTDJ is made possible by our donors, our volunteers, and through our many partnerships. We are deeply grateful for their collaboration and shared commitment to our mission.
Meet Our Volunteers
English for Speakers of Other Languages
- Adriana Silva
- Marian McDonald
- Anne Sa’adah
- Liz Gastelum
- Ava Pujado
- Lucille Davy
- Ben DeWinter
- Magda Beltran
- Bill Bulger
- Mansi Pagare
- Bill Comer
- Maria Batten
- Bill Koffel
- Mary Kate Egan
- Christine Samuel
- Mary Iannuzzi
- Courtney Loughlin
- Miriam Martinez Elizondo
- Donna Hackley
- Norma Isakow
- Dorothy Koffel
- Pam Matthews
- Elizabeth Preston
- Raye Oheidhin
- Fran Rametta
- Rich Nelson
- Francy Soriano
- Robin Krawczyk
- Galen Gilbert
- Roger Sutton
- Helga Barroso
- Rodrigo Chandia
- Jaqueline Van Gessel
- Sister Nellie Naveros
- Jenna Lancey
- Soleil Samaan
- Jennifer Bacevich
- Susan Bennett
- Judy Lee
- Thersa Chaklos
- Julie Fouhy
- Yvonne Lalyre
- Kassandra Alvarez
- Polina Ovchinnikova
- Debi Hemdal
Food Assistance (Grab & Go)
- Anna Adams
- Chris Cummings
- Deanna Evans
- Food Assistance (Grab & Go) Team
- James Regan
- Joelle Caternor
- Karyn Palomba
- Kathleen Regan
- Michaela Weinstein
- Raquel Reynolds
Other Support
- Adam Studdard
- Brighid Tella
- Deb Porter
- Emily Lopez
- Emma Robertson
- Francis Xavier Ochieng
- Madhuri Kamble
- Mary Muench
- Vlada Vokryachko
Donors: Fueling Social Justice
We are grateful to the many individuals who contribute financial support to our work. As an all-volunteer organization, the dollars you contribute go directly to our programs.
AFTDJ Achieves Highest Recognition for Transparency
Candid, widely recognized as the largest information service provider to nonprofits globally, recently awarded A Faith That Does Justice its Platinum Seal of Transparency. Organizations that achieve this distinction share detailed, verified information about their mission, goals, strategies, and impact, and meet Candid’s top standards for transparency and accountability. Fewer that 1% of U.S. nonprofits achieve this status .