The WCCI was formed in 1998 to provide a formal structure for the ongoing activities of "former Jesuits" who had maintained contact over the years since the mid-1970s. During that 25 year period over 1,000 former members of the Society of Jesus (primarily from the California and Oregon Provinces) were located and placed into a communications database. Through an annual retreat and cooperation in a variety of programs to serve the poor and disenfranchised, the "Companions" have provided mutual support to one another as well as assistance to the Society of Jesus in alleviating poverty, providing education in social justice issues to the youth of Jesuit schools across the country, and promoting human and civil rights.