What We Do
JUSTICE ADVOCACY
Over the past two decades, Peyi Soyinka-Airewele has had the joy and honor of working alongside countless women and men who have suffered traumatic experiences of injustice.
VERITY is named in Tribute to our beloved sister, the late Verity Iyetade Soyinka, whose journey through life, and experience of intimate partner abuse, only enriched her voice, her faith, her joy, her dance and her unfettered support of every embattled woman (and child) she met.
The stories of those have supported over the years have been painful: emotional, financial and psychological abuse or gaslighting by intimate partners; physical and sexual violence; abuse of authority in the church; unfair custody battles; false allegations and arrests; workplace harassment and intimidation driven by racist or/and sexist practices; and the abuse of power within educational institutions and in the community in order to threaten, punish, and silence those who are deemed to lack power, voice and influence.
Immigrants of African descent suffer distinctive and additional forms of oppression and silencing in the Diaspora where they are often relegated to the buttom of a racialized and gendered ladder of humanity.
African women, their children and their families endure forms of bullying, intimidation and abuse that often go unreported because of multiple barriers that intersect to rob them of rights and protections that others take for granted.
We have won many battles, and tragically we have lost some, including a beloved Kenyan woman who died because she chose to believe her abuser one more time- leaving behind her four young children.
The needs are much greater than our resources, but through our network of caring and committed volunteers, we have been able to provide support and guidance for many individuals going through tough seasons in their lives and invite you to join the network of support.
VERITY SISTERS GATHERING
Join the VERITY SISTERS GATHERING via zoom to dig deeply and rigorously in the word of God. We take on hard issues and questions regarding God’s promise, design, and calling for Women we share life experiences, godly wisdom, tears, and laughter. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month at 4:00 (EST). Please email us at: [email protected] if you would like to be added to our Whatsapp group.
Zoom Information:
Meeting ID: 863 0389 2129
Passcode: 834277
At Verity, we stand together to affirm God’s truth for you.
Working with the Cornerstone Fellowship, we support couples and families seeking to rebuild their marriages and homes. We also support and advocate for those who have suffered abuse in the church and work with caring church leaders to recognize needs and make change. “VERITY” is our commitment to TRUTH that transcends your circumstances, that brings hope of overcoming through love, faith and the company of a tribe of women of faith (and men of truth) who will courageously fight with you so you may possess the joy, resources and empowerment God has lovingly provided you.
TRAINING CHURCH LEADERSHIPS & FAITH ORGANIZATIONS
The church should be a place of love and grace that breaks the power of oppressive traditions. Sadly, for many individuals, it has not been so. We train and work alongside churches to help them recognize abuse and address it effectively.
“ 6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, 8 the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.”
Psalm 146: 6-8
We pray for more hands on deck, for more people of faith and courage to join hands and work as Christ did to set the prisoners free, so more lives can be lived free of abuse, violence and oppression.
God calls on the church to serve as messengers and custodians of justice. However, too often Christians have chosen to pay obeisance to those in power, and served at the altar of racism, wealth and power. Through VERITY sisters Gathering, we come together to stand, fight and support one another, to stand as a growing tribe of women of faith, to lend others our expertise, strength, networks, encouragement, resources and prayers, so that women will not have to fight alone.
Currently, there are several women who are survivors of abuse but are facing legal battles to protect their children and withstand the harrowing pounding by former partners who have abandoned them, but command enough financial resources and social capital to continue to subject them to legal bankruptcy and social isolation. Contact us if you would like to join the tribe of Christian advocates and supporters.
TRAINING COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Black women rarely take adequate advantage of the resources available within their communities or offered by the state. For immigrant black women, access to suport is further limited by multiple barriers of culture, faith, language, as well as rational fears of the negative outcomes of police or state involvment in their homes. We offer consultation and training for schools, community organizations and state agencies that offer services to African immigrants and their families, and offer to serve as allies and intermediaries in meetings between individuals seeking help and the various centers, agencies and organizations providing support.
