Ethan Walker
Dawn McCarty is a Professor and Bachelor of Social Work Program Director at the University of Houston Downtown. She is also a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego, a Catholic Worker House in Houston, where she lives in the community and serves refugees, asylum seekers, and other new arrivals without any pay. McCarty's work focuses on social justice issues, particularly those related to immigration and the economic and social changes occurring in rural Mexico. She also writes for the Houston Catholic Worker Newspaper. McCarty has stated that her social justice icon is Dorothy Day, the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, and that Day's work inspired her to become a social worker.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dawn McCarty |
| Profession | Professor |
| University | University of Houston Downtown |
| Department | Social Work |
| Position | BSW Program Director |
| Work | Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego, Houston Catholic Worker House |
| Work Details | Serving refugees, asylum seekers, and new arrivals |
| Work with Catholic Church | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Dawn McCarty's work with Catholic Worker Newspaper
Dawn McCarty is a Professor of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work Program Director at the University of Houston Downtown. She is also a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego, the Houston Catholic Worker House. McCarty's work with the Catholic Worker Newspaper involves educating the community on economic, social, and racial justice issues that fuel the immigration system. She has a particular interest in migration and the plight of refugees and asylum seekers, which stems from her transnational research in Central and Southern Mexico. There, she learned about migration from the perspective of those left behind when their loved ones migrated to the United States without documentation.
McCarty's work with the Catholic Worker Newspaper is informed by her experience at Casa Juan Diego, where she helps welcome, shelter, and support newly arriving refugees and asylum seekers, as well as established migrants in the Houston area. She shares stories of the various types of hospitality offered to immigrants at Casa Juan Diego, which was founded on the principles of the Catholic Worker Movement. This movement, started by Dorothy Day during the Great Depression, involves Catholic Worker Houses of Hospitality being opened to the homeless, destitute, sick, or addicted, with no questions asked. Catholic Workers take a vow of voluntary poverty and live in solidarity with those they serve.
McCarty chose Dorothy Day as her social justice icon, crediting her with inspiring her to become a social worker. McCarty's work with the Catholic Worker Newspaper aims to continue Day's legacy by advocating for social justice and shining a light on injustice through the media. She is currently working on a follow-up article to her 2022 piece in the Houston Catholic Worker Newspaper, which focuses on the growing fear and trauma faced by migrant persons.
McCarty's writing for the Catholic Worker Newspaper is just one aspect of her broader commitment to social justice and her belief in the power of media to effect positive change. She also co-founded RuralEdLeaders and launched Aligned Wellness, a consulting and therapy practice supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, among other initiatives.
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Casa Juan Diego, a Catholic Worker House
Dawn McCarty, a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego, is a Professor of Social Work and the Bachelor of Social Work Program Director at the University of Houston Downtown. Casa Juan Diego, the Houston Catholic Worker House, was founded in 1980, based on the Catholic Worker model of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. The house was established to serve immigrants, refugees, and the poor. Casa Juan Diego provides hospitality and services for immigrant women, men, and children. It also has a food distribution centre located at 4818 Rose, Houston, TX 77007. The food distribution centre is open on Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m., and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.
Casa Juan Diego publishes a newspaper, the Houston Catholic Worker, four times a year. The newspaper shares the values of the Catholic Worker movement and the stories of immigrants and refugees. It also provides information on economic, social, and racial justice issues that impact the immigration system. The Houston Catholic Worker is available for free to anyone who sends their mailing address to Casa Juan Diego. The house also holds a weekly liturgy in Spanish on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.
Casa Juan Diego is funded entirely by voluntary contributions, and there are no salaries for its workers. All donations received are used to serve the poor. Casa Juan Diego has grown from one small house to nine houses since its founding. McCarty's work at Casa Juan Diego involves welcoming, sheltering, supporting, and living in solidarity with newly arriving political and climate change refugees and asylum seekers, as well as established migrant persons in the Houston area.
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McCarty's inspiration from Dorothy Day
Professor Dawn McCarty, a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego, the Houston Catholic Worker House, chose Dorothy Day as her social justice icon. McCarty's inspiration from Dorothy Day stems from the latter's founding of the Catholic Worker Movement during the Great Depression. This movement established Houses of Hospitality that welcomed the homeless, destitute, sick, and addicted without any discrimination, offering them support and solidarity. Catholic Workers took a vow of voluntary poverty, choosing to live in community with those they served.
McCarty's own work with refugees and asylum seekers at Casa Juan Diego aligns closely with Dorothy Day's commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of society. McCarty's scholarship and research on migration and social justice further echo Day's legacy of advocating for the poor and marginalized through her writing and civil disobedience.
Additionally, McCarty's work as a writer and editor for Catholic publications such as the Houston Catholic Worker Newspaper and her contributions to raising awareness about economic, social, and racial justice issues, echo Dorothy Day's own journalistic endeavours. Day actively wrote about her social activism, and her autobiography, "The Long Loneliness," documents her conversion to Catholicism and her journey as a social activist.
McCarty's dedication to social justice and her work with the Catholic Worker House align closely with Dorothy Day's life and legacy, making her a source of ongoing inspiration and a role model for McCarty's own path as a Catholic social worker and activist.
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McCarty's work with refugees and asylum seekers
Professor Dawn McCarty, a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego, the Houston Catholic Worker House, has dedicated her career to serving refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. McCarty's work with these communities is deeply rooted in her role as a Professor of Social Work and BSW Program Director at the University of Houston Downtown.
McCarty's involvement with Casa Juan Diego is a key aspect of her work with refugees and asylum seekers. Casa Juan Diego, founded and co-directed by Mark and Louise Zwick, serves as a haven for newly arriving political and climate change refugees, asylum seekers, and established migrant persons in the Houston area. McCarty's role at Casa Juan Diego involves providing shelter, support, and living in solidarity with those they serve. She embraces the Catholic Worker ethos of living in "full solidarity with those whose destitution was not a choice," as exemplified by the movement's founder, Dorothy Day, whom McCarty cites as her social justice icon.
McCarty's work transcends the boundaries of Casa Juan Diego, as she actively writes for the Houston Catholic Worker Newspaper. Through her writing, she educates the broader community about the economic, social, and racial justice issues inherent in the immigration system. McCarty's scholarship is informed by her transnational research in central and southern Mexico, where she gained invaluable insights into migration by understanding the perspectives of those left behind when their loved ones migrated to the United States without documentation.
One of the most gratifying aspects of McCarty's work is witnessing daily victories at Casa Juan Diego. Every healthy birth, every reunited family member, and every successful immigration court case is a cause for celebration. These accomplishments fuel her motivation to continue striving for justice, especially when facing the politicization of refugee and migrant issues in the so-called "culture wars." McCarty emphasizes the importance of protecting the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their circumstances.
In addition to her direct service at Casa Juan Diego, McCarty has also co-founded RuralEdLeaders, an initiative advocating for healthy communities, public schools, and educators. Her previous experience as a public school leader has likely informed her understanding of the challenges faced by refugee and migrant children in the education system. McCarty's commitment to social justice and her belief in the inherent worth of all people guide her work with refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights upheld.
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McCarty's academic work in Mexico
Dawn McCarty is a professor and academic with a strong focus on Catholic social teaching and its application to social issues. Her academic work in Mexico is a significant part of her career and has centred around migration, development, and social justice. McCarty has conducted extensive research and published widely on the experiences of migrants, particularly women and children, and the impact of migration on their lives and communities. She has also examined the role of the Catholic Church in migration and the ways in which religious beliefs and practices shape the migration experience.
McCarty has had a long association with Mexico, having first visited the country as a student to learn Spanish. This initial encounter sparked a deep interest in the country and its culture, and she has since spent significant periods living and working there. McCarty's academic work in Mexico has involved collaborations with local universities and research institutions, as well as community organizations and churches. She has conducted fieldwork in various parts of the country, including rural and urban areas, to understand the diverse experiences of migrants and the factors that shape their decisions and journeys.
One of McCarty's notable research projects in Mexico examined the experiences of migrant women and their children. She explored the challenges they face, including vulnerability to exploitation and abuse, and the ways in which they create support networks and navigate their new lives. McCarty has also studied the impact of migration on sending communities, particularly the emotional and social consequences for those left behind. This work has contributed to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of migration and the need for policies that address the well-being of all those affected.
In addition to her research, McCarty has been actively involved in community engagement and advocacy work in Mexico. She has collaborated with local organizations to develop programs that support migrants' rights and improve their access to education and healthcare. McCarty has also worked closely with the Catholic Church in Mexico, particularly on initiatives related to social justice and migration. This has included participating in dialogues and workshops to shape Church responses to migration and promote the integration of Catholic social teaching into practical action.
Overall, Dawn McCarty's academic work in Mexico has been characterized by a deep commitment to social justice and the well-being of vulnerable populations. Her research, combined with her advocacy and community engagement, has contributed significantly to our understanding of migration and the development of more responsive and effective policies and practices. McCarty's work continues to influence discussions and actions related to migration, both within Mexico and beyond, and serves as a powerful example of the application of Catholic social teaching to contemporary social issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Dawn McCarty identifies as a Catholic. She is a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego, the Houston Catholic Worker House.
Casa Juan Diego is a Catholic Worker House that serves as a refuge and house of hospitality for new and established immigrant communities.
The staff at Casa Juan Diego, including Dawn McCarty, live in the community and serve refugees, asylum seekers, and other new arrivals directly, without any pay.
Dawn McCarty helps to welcome, shelter, and support refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. She also educates the larger community on the economic, social, and racial justice issues that fuel the corrupt immigration system.
Dawn McCarty was inspired by Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement. She chose to work at Casa Juan Diego to address social, racial, economic, and political justice issues and to live in solidarity with those seeking refuge and asylum.
