Since the [Recognizing the Stranger] program commenced, there's been "nativism, growing tensions on the border, polarized politics, the COVID-19 pandemic, a major economic recession and gun violence," said [VOICE President Fr. Tim] Luschen . . . The new program responded amid it all by fulfilling the pope's call "to listen to others, to see others."

When Pope Francis launched his newly invigorated process for the Synod of Bishops in 2021, he challenged Catholics worldwide to “become experts in the art of encounter, . . . For decades, members of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) . . . have been experts in such an art.”

When Pope Francis launched his newly invigorated process for the Synod of Bishops in 2021, he challenged Catholics worldwide to “become experts in the art of encounter, . . . For decades, members of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) . . . have been experts in such an art.”