Thank you so much all of your efforts this year to bring attention, advocacy and prayers to those who suffer in silence around the world. Catholic Relief Services extends our deep gratitude to you for standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters overseas and working to build a more peaceful world. Blessings for those who are graduating! Have a wonderful summer and please stay connected to CRS.

Year in review at a glance – Solidarity in Action:

• The Global Solidarity Network (GSN) program reached 3,481 students from 20 Colleges and Universities.
• The CRS Ambassador Program had 202 students participate from 42 Colleges and Universities.
• CRS and St. John’s University, the University of Dayton and the University of San Francisco launch the new Scholars in Global Solidarity (SGS) program.
• Three Catholic Colleges and Universities receive Fair Trade University distinction: Siena College, Manhattan College and St. Michael’s College in VT.
• Thanks to your advocacy efforts, Poverty-focused international assistance increased by 3% in FY12.

Below are some highlights from this year. Please send your stories and pictures to campus@crs.org.

Villanova University “Played for Peace” to draw attention to the conflict in Sudan and South Sudan:

“Stay with Sudan Playing for Peace Jersey”

“CRS Campus Ambassadors at the Playing for Peace event”

“Villanova Men’s Basketball Team Playing for Peace”

“Villanova University President, Fr. Peter Donohue urges crowd of 6,000 to Pray for Peace”

Photos by Philip Laubner/CRS

Loyola University Maryland honors World AIDS Day:

Students at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore recognized World AIDS Day on December 1, 2011 by turning their campus red with ribbons, posters, balloons and streams. The impetus for the awareness campaign came from Elizabeth (Liz) Walton, class of 2013 who is a CRS College Ambassador. She and her team decided to make World AIDS Day their first global awareness event as CRS College Ambassadors.

Photos by Philip Laubner/CRS

The Presidents of Manhattan College, Marywood University, the University of San Francisco and the University of San Diego traveled with Catholic Relief Services to Rwanda and Burundi to learn more about our overseas work:

Presidents’ Dr. Brennan O’Donnell, Dr. Mary Lyons, Fr. Steve Privett, S.J., Sr. Anne Munley, IHM and CRS Vice President, Joan Rosenhauer in Busekera Village, Burundi.

Manhattan College President, Dr. Brennan O’Donnell, is taught how to pick tea by Divine Miyokindi and Languide Miburo during a visit to Busekera village, Burundi.

University of San Diego President, Dr. Mary Lyons, discusses a savings and loan scheme with SILK’s representative John Baranenza during a visit to Busekera village, Burundi.

Marywood University President, Sister Anne Munley, meets the head of Busekera village, John Barangenza during a CRS visit to the village.

University of San Francisco President, Fr. Steve Privett, discusses income generating scheme’s including pork husbandry with Veronique Kayoya, a member of the Busekera village and head of the Piggery Project.

Photos by: Sala Lewis for CRS

Cabrini College builds solidarity through journalism and advocacy:

Cabrini College students visit the Capitol in Washington DC to advocate on behald of the poor and vulnerable overseas.

Photo by: Jim Stipe/CRS

CRS Ambassadors hold CRS Food Fast Retreat to Raise Awareness about Global Hunger

Editorial on the Vital Importance of Foreign Aid to the Poor

Cabrini Students Connect to Egypt Students through Catholic Relief Services

“A Call to Solidarity Through Advocacy”

“Fair Trade Awareness Helps Reap Global Benefits”

The University of Notre Dame Draws Attention to Key Global Issues:

Stands in Solidarity for the people of Haiti

Continues to “Play for Peace” to bring attention to the conflict in Sudan and South Sudan

Honors, former CRS President Ken Hackett with Laetare Metal

Raises Awareness and Advocacy for Victims of Human Trafficking

Dean Carolyn Woo to Lead Catholic Relief Services