Skip to main content

Coalition for Central America records

 Collection
Identifier: MG 405

Scope and Contents

The records of the Coalition for Central America span the years 1979 to 1996, with the bulk of the material covering the years 1986 to 1996. Some collected materials predate the organization's founding.

Included in the records are general correspondence, news clippings, newsletters and working files, resource materials, financial reports, minutes, membership lists, and research materials published by other organizations.

Dates

  • Creation: 1979-1996

Language of Materials

This collection is in English.

Biographical / Historical

The Coalition for Central America was a grassroots organization based in Moscow, Idaho from 1985 until 1996. The group was originally called the Moscow Central America Solidarity Organization. The name was changed in 1986 to reflect a wider outreach effort. The purpose of the coalition was to raise public awareness and change U.S. foreign policy in Central America. Later, the group's efforts included other countries and causes in the region around Central America, South America, and Mexico. Education concerning global issues such as nuclear proliferation and the environmental were also advanced.

A core group of approximately 60 individuals began outreach activities in the Moscow/Pullman area. Weekly meetings were held at the Idaho Campus Christian Center near the University of Idaho. Office space was eventually rented in a downtown Moscow building. A reference library and resource center was open to the public and included magazines, newspapers, books, and information related to other national and international organizations.

Education and outreach activities included publication of a quarterly newsletter, Focus, letter-writing campaigns to elected officials, petition gathering, public speakers and film presentations. Humanitarian aid campaigns to provide shipments of food, medical supplies, farm equipment, and school materials to Central America were organized by the group. Fundraising events were held throughout the year with a food booth at Moscow's Renaissance Fair as a major money-maker.

The Moscow/Pullman area's Coalition for Central America was, at its largest, composed of 200 members, with an additional 400 to 500 members and volunteers outside the region.

Extent

18.5 cubic feet

Abstract

Correspondence, newsletters, news clippings, minutes, financial reports, membership lists, and research materials of a Moscow area civic group formed to change U.S. foreign policy in Central America.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Kenton Bird, August 1997.

Title
Guide to the Coalition for Central America Records1979-1996
Author
Finding aid prepared by Erika Kuhlman, Christopher Karn, Randy Smith, and Marilyn Sandmeyer.
Date
© 2004
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives Repository