Collaborative for Catholic Organizing
Our community exists to foster community, nourish spiritual development and build power between organizers, theologians, and people of faith committed to community organizing within the Catholic context
What we do:
We work together across organizations to:
Align: Deepen the connection between Catholic Social Teaching, liberation theology, and Community Organizing through resource development, sharing, and collaboration.
Build Community: Foster deep relationships that build communities of resiliency and trust between organizers, major stakeholders, and justice builders working in Catholic spaces.
Strategize - Intentionally collaborate and build power for social change through shared power analysis, movement alignment, and coordinated efforts to situate organizing within Catholic Social Teaching.
Grow - nurture people in both their organizing skills and spiritual depth in the work of organizing, especially in helping participants connect their work to the Catholic faith. Increase capacity to work in Catholic contexts and spiritual sustainability of the work
Meet Our First Program Director
Ian Mitchell
Ian Mitchell brings more than 25 years of leadership in ministry and social justice across local, national, and international settings. His work has included senior roles with the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and the Archdiocese of Washington, where Ian advanced programs rooted in Catholic social teaching and the common good.
Shaped by academic study, Jesuit formation, and grassroots experience in India, Ian brings a deep commitment to transformative accompaniment, cultural dialogue, and the leadership of marginalized communities. He holds two master’s degrees, one in social philosophy and another one in Divinity from Loyola University Chicago.
A trusted thought partner to CCO since its founding, Ian now helps guide the organization’s transition into a more fully staffed and sustainable future, expanding its programming and strengthening its long-term structure.
Ian finds hope in the church’s long collaboration with people’s movements, as was so strongly encouraged by Pope Francis, and in the power and spirit with which they call forth our collective response to the urgent needs of our time.
Ian Mitchell can be contacted at imitchell@catholicorganizing.org
Resources on Catholic Organizing
This is a community collected resource library! PLEASE send additional resources and ideas to UWEJustice@jesuits.org
Podcasts on Catholicism and Organizing
Catholics and other faith leaders reflecting on how organizing helps them live out the gospels.
Prophetic Communities Recordings and Materials
View videos, powerpoints, program book and other materials from the conference that launched our collaborative.
Catholic Social Teaching Resources
Catholic Social Teaching is at the core of what we stand for. Click here for resources that will assist in inculating Catholic Social Teaching
Articles in English and Spanish About Organizing and Catholic Social Thought
Recursos en Español
Videos About Organizing
Books and Curricula About Catholic Organizing in Communities
Event Board:
Who we are
Learn more about the organizations involved in our collaborative here.