The National Conference for Community and Justice of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, Inc. is the only nonpartisan human relations organization in the region dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism in America.  The NCCJ promotes understanding and respect for all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education. The  NCCJ was founded in 1927 as the National Conference for Christians and Jews, in response to anti-Catholic sentiment being expressed during Al Smith's run for the Democratic nomination. Its founders included prominent social activists such as Jane Addams and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes who dedicated the organization to bringing diverse people together to address interfaith divisions. Several years later NCCJ expanded its work to include all issues of social justice including race, class, gender equity, sexual orientation and the rights of people with different abilities.