SHARE Foundation / Fundación SHARE (Salvadoran Humanitarian Aid, Research and Education Foundation) Collection, 1977-2017

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:
SHARE Foundation / Fundación SHARE (Salvadoran Humanitarian Aid, Research and Education Foundation) Collection
Dates:
1977-2017
Creators:
Purcell, Eileen M. Artiga, Jose SHARE Foundation / Fundación SHARE (Salvadoran Humanitarian Aid, Research and Education Foundation)
Abstract:
Extent:
13 linear feet (10 record boxes, 3 oversized boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

SHARE Foundation / Fundación SHARE (Salvadoran Humanitarian Aid, Research and Education Foundation) Collection. Graduate Theological Union

Background

Scope and content:

Newsletters, board minutes, memos, financial reports, audit reports, office files, survivor testimonies, refugee camp photographs, refugee children arts and crafts, embroidery, slideshows, prints, videos, and audio cassettes.

Biographical / historical:

The Salvadoran Humanitarian Aid, Research and Education Foundation (SHARE) in Washington, DC, and New El Salvador Today (NEST) founded in 1981. SHARE publicized Salvadoran refugees’ treatment by the Honduran Armed forces and the militarization of the camps. The organization raised funds to support the people of El Salvador during various crisis including several earthquakes and the challenges of refugees returning to the country. The civil war in El Salvador ran from 1979 until peace was obtained in 1992. The conflict is considered the last one of the Cold War. The United States government feared that El Salvador would become a communist state and provided training and munitions, which were often used against noncombatants. Over 75,000 noncombatants were killed and an additional 8,000 “disappeared.” Religious leaders and helpers were assassinated or brutally killed: Archbishop Óscar Romero, shot while saying Mass in 1980; numerous religious helpers including four Catholic women from America were raped and killed in 1980; and six Jesuit priests and their housekeepers were killed at the University of Central America in 1989. Following the peace agreement, life continued to be difficult for those who remained and for those who returned from the camps and the countries that they emigrated to. SHARE provided assistance in the form of coordinating help from religious leaders and other organizations, fund raising for assistance with the refugee camp and their return to their home, additional help for emergency issues from earthquakes and hurricanes health care, and help for health and education.

Acquisition information:
Eileen M. Purcell donated the collection on July 1, 2020. SHARE Foundation's current address is 2425 College Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Graduate Theological Union staff.
Date Prepared:
1977-2017
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Excellent

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to The Graduate Theological Union. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Graduate Theological Union as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

SHARE Foundation / Fundación SHARE (Salvadoran Humanitarian Aid, Research and Education Foundation) Collection. Graduate Theological Union

Location of this collection:
2400 Ridge Road
Berkeley, CA 94709, US
Contact:
(510) 649-2523/2501
archives@gtu.edu
Website