PICO International is the newest project of the PICO National Network, founded in 1972 through the leadership of John Baumann, S.J.  PICO International builds leaders through ecumenical congregations in Rwanda, Africa and in El Salvador and Guatemala, Central America.  Hundreds of local residents have learned how to solve their community problems together. 

PICO is one of the largest, most diverse community organizing networks in the United States.  Through 1,000 member congregations and groups, PICO develops grassroots leaders who use their own power to address the root causes of the problems they face. In PICO, this struggle for justice is rooted in our faith.

PICO's faith-based community organizing holds the belief in the potential for transformation - of people, institutions, and society. This belief stems directly from PICO's roots in faith communities, and radiates throughout the organization, influencing the way PICO relates to public officials, to community members, and to one another.

PICO was founded in 1972 through the leadership of John Baumann, S.J., a Jesuit priest whose early work included community organizing in Chicago. Today PICO organizations support grassroots leaders from more than 40 faith traditions in 150 cities and 18 states, and pilot projects in Rwanda and Central America.

In 2004 PICO changed our name from the Pacific Institute for Community Organizations to PICO National Network.  PICO International was formed in response to invitations from Central America and Rwanda for training in our faith-based model of community development.  PICO International provides consulting, technical assistance and organizational development support to our international projects.

 

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