About SOPHIA

SOPHIA  brings together diverse faith communities, nonprofits, and socially conscious individuals. We collaborate to advocate for policy reforms, engage with lawmakers, and construct community-led initiatives that fuel significant societal shifts.

We explore key social issues through our dedicated task forces in three major areas:

Housing Task Force: Here, we passionately advocate for affordable housing. We investigate local regulations, instigate reform, and rally support for workforce housing initiatives.

Criminal Justice Reform Task Force: We strive for a just and equitable criminal justice system. Our efforts include participating in policy reform dialogues, endorsing alternatives to incarceration, and addressing racial disparities.

Immigration Task Force: We seek comprehensive immigration reform, advocating for driver's cards in Wisconsin, supporting family reunification, and providing assistance to undocumented immigrants who encounter hurdles in acquiring aid." 

SOPHIA is a coalition of diverse faith communities in Waukesha County dedicated to building and deepening relationships within and among our communities. SOPHIA empowers people to work together on issues of justice and the common good. SOPHIA builds relationships in the public and private sectors, uniting people with common values to have a powerful voice; to stand together to change injustices affecting those who are marginalized. We seek to form a community of neighbors who can, together, make our communities places where everyone has a chance to succeed.

SOPHIA membership is by faith community or organization. SOPHIA functions through a Board of Directors with representation from each member congregation or organization. In addition to the Board of Directors, SOPHIA is organized by committees and task forces.

SOPHIA dedicates itself to celebrating and respecting our diversity. Because our diverse faith traditions call us to stand up for the poor, the sick and the marginalized, we work to impact public policies that affect those who are most vulnerable. SOPHIA uses the tools of education to understand issues; advocacy, empowerment and action to transform our communities.

SOPHIA is built on establishing relationships. Within member congregations/organizations are core teams which meet regularly to respond to the concerns and passions of their congregations/ organizations. Core Team members are intentional about meeting one-on-one with people in their congregation and in the public arena, to foster mutual understanding and clarity of purpose.

Leadership training is a major component of congregational based organizing. Members of SOPHIA engage in leadership training opportunities at the local, state, and national levels.

Each month, pastors and other religious leaders meet to build relationships, to reflect on the matters of faith and community concerns, and to help shape the work of SOPHIA.

Task Forces meet monthly or as needed to address specific issues raised by SOPHIA members. Currently, active task forces include: Treatment Instead of Prison, Immigration Reform, Transit, Health Care and Housing. Other task forces are created as needs and leadership arises. The dates, times and locations for each group that meets are posted on the calendar on the Events page.

SOPHIA is part of WISDOM, a statewide organization of more than 130 member congregations and 9 affiliates including SOPHIA. Our nearest WISDOM affiliate is MICAH in Milwaukee. Our other sister organizations are: MOSES in Madison, CUSH in Kenosha, RIC in Racine, ESTHER in the Fox Valley, JOSHUA in Green Bay, NAOMI in Wausau, JONAH in the Chippewa valley.

SOPHIA supports itself through dues paid by congregations and member organizations, individual donors as “sustaining members,” grants from foundations, and one fund raising event each year. SOPHIA is a 501(c)3 organization. Charitable contributions to SOPHIA are tax deductible.

SOPHIA is non-partisan. SOPHIA does not endorse candidates. SOPHIA members represent all political parties. Our work is to hold all public officials accountable, no matter what party they represent.