About Us

The Quixote Center is a Maryland-based nonprofit organization dedicated to solidarity and justice with the people of the Americas. We work alongside communities in Haiti and Nicaragua to boost their economic future, accompany migrants throughout Latin America on their path northward, and advocate for more just immigration and foreign policies in the United States.

Employment

Program Manager:

For details on the position, please see our

 

We accept internship applications on a rolling basis; please email info@quixote.org with your resume for more information.

Mission Statement

The Quixote Center dismantles oppressive systems and structures so that vulnerable people are empowered to become the artisans of their own destiny.  Inspired by liberation theology, we do this through sustainable development, U.S. policy reform, economic justice, and educational initiatives.

We have had a historic and continuing focus on supporting projects in:

  • Haiti
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama

Our current work:

  • supports sustainable programs to generate income for impoverished people and their communities;
  • supports migrants throughout the Americas; and
  • supports changing U.S. policies in the countries where we work.

History

Bill Callahan and Dolly Pomerleau founded the Quixote Center in 1976 with the general purpose of advocating for justice within the Catholic Church and in society. We initiated a variety of programs over the years, and some of the larger ones have spun off as independent organizations. These include the Christic Institute, New Ways Ministry, Prison Radio, Equal Justice USA, the Nicaragua Cultural Alliance and Interfaith Voices.

Our current work is focused on economic development through partners in Nicaragua () and Haiti (), as well as advocating for changes in U.S. foreign and immigration policies that impact the people of Haiti and Nicaragua.

Quixote Center launched Quest for Peace in 1985 in solidarity with the people of Nicaragua, seeking to challenge the Reagan administration’s Contra War, while also providing humanitarian aid to people in the war zone in northern Nicaragua. Until 2023 we continued to work on both fronts, providing development assistance and advocating for non-interventionist U.S. policy. In 2023 the government of Nicaragua shut down our long-time partner and we are no longer providing any direct assistance. We continue to advocate for changes in U.S. policy as a way to accompany the people of Nicaragua.

We launched Haiti Reborn in 1991 in response to the demise of the Duvalier dictatorship and election of Jean-Bertrand Aristide. After the coup in September of 1991, the work quickly transformed into advocacy for democracy in Haiti and challenging the U.S. role in the coup. In 1999, we launched a reforestation and sustainable agriculture program in Gros Morne, Haiti in partnership with the Montfortins and the Jean Marie Vincent Formation Center.

We continue to engage in advocacy on U.S. policy toward Haiti and to report on the human rights situation in the country. The work with the JMV Formation Center remains the cornerstone of our work in Haiti, but in 2023 we also began exploring new partnerships in new parts of the country.

In 2018 we launched a new program () to advance changes in immigration policy and in 2019 we partnered with the Franciscan Network on Migration (FNM). FNM is a network of shelters that serve migrants traveling through Central America and Mexico. In 2022 we launched a travel program to the FNM shelters in southern Mexico and Guatemala as part of our efforts to help activists and others understand better the situation migrants face as they make their way north, and the role of U.S. policy. In 2023 we launched a program to strengthen the capacity of the FNM team in Panama as the migrant path in their country became increasingly perilous. The Quixote Center serves as the Franciscan Network’s fiscal sponsor, and we also collaborate on advocacy projects.

Staff

Kim Lamberty

Executive Director

Dr. Kim Lamberty is the Quixote Center’s Executive Director. She has been developing and managing faith-based justice, peace, cross-cultural, and community service programs for over 25 years.

Marianne Baldwin

Marianne Baldwin

Administrative and Financial Coordinator

Marianne is the Administrative and Financial Coordinator at the Quixote Center. Originally from Pennsylvania, she moved to Washington, DC in 2001 to pursue her graduate studies, completing an M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and an M.A. in Teaching at American University.

Board

Nancy Sulfridge

President

Nancy Sulfridge has been a member of the board of directors of the Quixote Center since 2012 and was a supporter of the Center for many years before joining the board. She brings a generalist’s approach to the center.

Dolly Pomerleau

Dolly Pomerleau

Vice President

Dolly (Dolores) Pomerleau was a co-founder of the Quixote Center with Bill Callahan in 1976. When she moved to Washington from her native state of Maine, she worked for the Catholic bishops' Conference for nine months.

Debby Manley

Debby Manley

Secretary

Debby Manley is the Human Resources and Administrative Manager at The World Justice Project. WJP is an independent, multidisciplinary organization working to create knowledge, build awareness, and stimulate action to advance the rule of law worldwide.

Serge Hyacinthe

Serge Hyacinthe

Treasurer

Serge Hyacinthe is a proud dad, husband, attorney and fiscal executive. He has approximately 20 years of financial management experience working with nonprofits, small to mid-sized businesses and local governments.

Frank Debernardo

Frank Debernardo

Member

Francis DeBernardo has served since 1996 as Executive Director of New Ways Ministry, a 45-year old national Catholic ministry of justice and reconciliation for LGBTQ Catholics and the wider Church community.