The interfaith organization Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) received this year's 2006 Empowerment Award from the archdiocesan Office of Justice and Peace and the Justice and Peace Commission.

Cardinal Roger Mahony presented the award recognizing CLUE's commitment to empower the poor and to break the cycle of poverty at the annual recognition dinner held at St. Bede Church in La Cañada Flintridge Nov. 4.

"CLUE's strength is bringing together religious leaders and congregations from all faiths to provide the moral authority to support low-wage workers as they struggle for a living wage, health insurance, fair working conditions, respect in the workplace, and the power to have a real voice in the economic decisions that affect them," said the cardinal.

CLUE has been organizing in Los Angeles since 1996 to support the labor struggles of janitors, security guards, and workers in hotels, nursing homes, grocery stores and mental health clinics. Most recently, a September action in front of two hotels near LAX airport brought out more than 2,000 workers, clergy, lay leaders, students and community leaders. Some 300 supporters of hotel workers were arrested for engaging in civil disobedience by quietly sitting in the street, tactics reminiscent of the civil rights movement.

"Through the media the plight of these workers was elevated to an international level, bringing renewed attention to the plight of low-wage workers, and especially of immigrant workers," said Cardinal Mahony.

He praised the organization's Interreligious Task Force for Immigrant Rights, a coalition of more than 80 Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders, which has linked with the Catholic Church's national Justice for Immigrants campaign to secure comprehensive immigration reform legislation.

CLUE was described as a "community of communities" by Rev. Alexia Salvatierra, executive director of CLUE and an Evangelical Lutheran minister. "We are a coming together of people across all religious traditions, all ethnicities and all ages and all classes for the purpose of God's vision of economic justice," she said.

Guadalupe Perez, a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Hawthorne, said her church was involved in actions organized by CLUE because of its commitment to workers. "We're here because we share a vision of reaching peace by working for justice," she said in Spanish.

Ana Sanchez, a hotel worker near the airport and a member of CLUE, appealed to those present for their continued assistance. "We're seeking support from all the community, and all the churches to support us to have respect and justice in our workplaces and better benefits for our communities," she said in Spanish.

During the dinner, parishes and organizations were recognized for their work towards economic justice and institutional change.

The Justice and Peace Commission selected for its 2006 Parish Justice Awards five parishes (one from each pastoral region) that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to reaching out to community members in need through food programs, visiting the incarcerated in prison, creating JustFaith educational programs, supporting hotel workers, hurricane victims or mission projects in other countries.

The parishes recognized were St. Francis Xavier in Burbank, Holy Family in South Pasadena, St. James in Redondo Beach, St. Jerome in Los Angeles and Blessed Junípero Serra in Camarillo.

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development awarded national grants (from $25,000 to 50,000) to the following organizations working in Los Angeles: CLUE, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, Coalition LA, Figueroa Corridor Coalition for Economic Justice, Figueroa Corridor Community Land Trust, Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization, Long Beach Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Los Angeles Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Los Angeles Community Action Network, People Organized for Westside Renewal, People United for Economic Justice Building Leadership through Organizing, and Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California.

CCHD also awarded local grants ($10,000 each) to the following: Antelope Valley Organizing Project, Casa Del Pueblo, Da'hui Man'gu Community Land Trust, Ex-Offender Action Network, Garment Worker Center, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, L.A. Voice, Multi-Ethnic Immigrant Worker Organizing Network, Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, Proyecto Pastoral, Southern California Education Fund, and Southeast Asian Community Alliance.

Catholic Relief Services awarded Operation Rice Bowl Grants of $4,000 each to five parishes to purchase food for distribution to the needy in their community: St. Francis of Assisi in Fillmore, St. Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens, St. Patrick in North Hollywood, St. Stephen in Monterey Park and Our Lady Queen of the Angels in Los Angeles.