Coalition for Central America records, 1979-1996

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.