When the City of Flagstaff began developing its Regional Plan 2045, city leaders turned to the Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC) to ensure the process included meaningful public engagement. 

Drawing on relationships with more than 20 institutions across Flagstaff, NAIC organized a broad effort to bring community experiences into the planning process. Through house meetings and civic academies, leaders gathered input directly from residents, naming the challenges that come with rapid growth, increased tourism, economic transitions, and climate change.

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As the first-ever American pope takes to the throne of St. Peter on Sunday, immigration advocates in the Valley hope his past can bring change to the future.

“As we’re beginning to learn more about Pope Leo, we have someone who understands the American context and the Latin American context,” said Joe Rubio, the director at Arizona Interfaith Network.

Over 175 leaders and organizers from across the West/Southwest IAF gathered in Los Angeles on International Workers' Day to remember and celebrate Fred Ross Sr. and his foundational impact on our organizing tradition.  See image gallery here.

In collaboration with Northern Arizona University's Community & University Public Inquiry (CUPI) program & Flagstaff Unified School District, we:

• Improved language interpretation & translation & increased bilingual staff in schools. 
• Supported bilingual parents in creating & leading culturally relevant community events meant to address community needs.
• Fostered leadership development among students, parents, & teachers while celebrating diverse voices in public education.

Organizing leaders across Northern Arizona, NAIC tacked the housing crisis head on. We advocated for stronger landlord-tenant relationships, secured energy retrofits for low-income families, protected housing for immigrant families, and advanced affordable housing for teachers.

This year, NAIC mobilized and organized to make our voices heard!

NAIC Leader Elsi Elena is a San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church member and a mother of two students at Flagstaff High School. She recently co-chaired NAIC actions with city and county officials, including the police chief, sheriff, and school district leadership, gaining concrete commitments from them to work with NAIC to keep families safe.

As a founding Community Engagement Coalition for Energy Retrofits member, we:

• Pushed for equitable people-centered climate solutions.
• Partnered with the City of Flagstaff to shape the Energy Upgrades for Healthy Homes (EUHH) program, ensuring low-income residents benefit from energy improvements that save money and protect our environment.
• Organized neighborhood walks and house meeting conversations in the Sunnyside neighborhood to identify key EUFF priorities, which will distribute $750,000 to low-income residents for energy improvements.

Working hand-in-hand with local governments and institutions, we:

• Addressed disproportionate water rate equity impacts to increase resource access for all.
• Fought for immigrant-friendly housing policies, including mobile home protections.
• Improved access to public education by removing cultural and linguistic barriers.
• Championed safer, bilingual communities in Sedona through initiatives like language exchange programs and multi-use pathways.

The West/Southwest IAF launched its Jubilee year with over 200 leaders from 33 cities at a symposium in San Antonio, the birthplace of COPS/Metro, the first organization of the network. Leaders celebrated 50 years of organizing and committed to continue working together for the common good.

“In this time of jubilee, the process we're suggesting is an updating of our inherent traditions to meet the new moment,” said TMO leader Bob Flemming of Houston.