The Center for Social Justice - Georgetown University

So let’s keep talking about Community. 120+ at the CSJ January Student Leadership Retreat on the 8th floor of 111 Mass Ave of the Capitol Campus all rainy today. We uncovered conflict, trauma, critical reflection, Catholic Social Teaching and enjoyed nourishment in all the ways. Well, besides all of the CSJ vans being help captive in the garage. Thank you CSJ team and Hoyas for being Creative and Curious for social Change! You made my semester so far way more than a little bit better.

While Trump administration is busy withdrawing from dozens of global organizations, are busy joining them at CAB fair today, because we know that there is power (and survival and well-being and solidarity) in community! Let’s start the MLK quotations now: The opposite of chaos is not order; it is Always Community.

One of CSJ's DC Reads at Georgetownincredible community partners is Life Pieces to Masterpieces.

If you have been to CSJ's space in Poulton Hall, you have seen some of LPTM's beautiful artwork. In their artwork, advocacy, and model of mentorship, LPTM boys and young men are protagonists of positive change.

Help us support LPTM and get more artwork for our office at Capitol Campus (and to beat AU and GWU DC Reads programs in this friendly fundraising competition)!

Donate at: givebutter.com/LPTM_GT

Alt text:
An adult and a child stand facing each other in a classroom, smiling and touching hands in a high-five gesture.

A group of children sit at decorated tables in a gymnasium while adults stand and interact with them during an indoor community event.

Today, on his birthday, we remember, uplift, and really just truly miss Professor Ricardo Ortiz, a CSJ Faculty Fellow in three different stints, a friend, mentor, advocate, activist, engaged scholar, and just wonderfully present human being to many of us over the years in CSJ. This was the photo Professor Ortiz sent us for his bio on CSJ's Faculty Fellows webpage. Rest in power, Professor Ortiz. We miss you.

Alt text: Professor Ortiz smiling in the foreground wearing a "Rise Love Resist" pink sticker. Behind him, a crowded street filled with marchers and protest signs. Urban buildings line the street. Mood is energetic.

Today, on his birthday, we remember, uplift, and really just truly miss Professor Ricardo Ortiz @qbnoidprof, a CSJ Faculty Fellow in three different stints, a friend, mentor, advocate, activist, engaged scholar, and just wonderfully present human being to many of us over the years in CSJ. This was the photo Professor Ortiz sent us for his bio on CSJ's Faculty Fellows webpage. Rest in power, Professor Ortiz. We miss you. Alt text: Professor Ortiz smiling in the foreground wearing a "Rise Love Resist" pink sticker. Behind him, a crowded street filled with marchers and protest signs. Urban buildings line the street. Mood is energetic.

Social Justice Send-Off in HFSC Social Room celebrating the Class of 2025 living as

At Red Square now! Stop by to buy delicious spicy cheesy pita with zatar amd write a note to our fellow Hoya Dr Suri who is unlawfully detained by ICE. 30 seconds of your time.

As we wrap up Spring 2025, we want to celebrate the students and team members part of the inaugural cohort of the CSJ’s newest program!

The Climate and Environmental Justice Initiative (CEJI), a new initiative under the Center for Social Justice (CSJ), was launched this spring to deepen conversations and advocate for climate and environmental justice, particularly in Washington, DC. Our incredible student cohorts are supporting infusion projects to integrate Climate and Environmental Justice frameworks across the CSJ’s programs, as well as collaborate with community organizations in DC to enhance actions in climate, food and environmental justice and strengthen local partnerships.

To join CEJI in Fall 2025, visit tinyurl.com/CEJIStudentStaffF25 or scan the QR code in the last slide. Visit csj.georgetown.edu/cej to learn more about the initiative! 🌍🌲💗

You can also read more about CEJI in the Georgetown Voice’s article, “CSJ’s new Climate and Environmental Justice Initiatives bring students into environmental scholarship and advocacy”, published 4/5/25.

One constant in the life of the Center for Social Justice is our VANS. Mini, full-size, green, grey, blue, named with a letter from the alphabet, and protected by St. Francesca Romana, the patron saint of drivers! Our vans get us to DC neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Deanwood, and Congress Heights.

Our fleet of vans is a community resource that we utilize to get to communities with whom we stand, sit, and STAY in solidarity.

CSJ is hiring for (federal work study- eligible) DRIVERS. Be a part of our University's commitment to the common good and work for social justice. Get to know DC in a radically new way. And meet some awesome Hoyas and DC folx along the way (and yes, now partnered/married Hoyas have met in in our vans).

Link in bio or go to csj.georgetown/operations and fill out the interest form for 1-1 evening drivers. You need to have had a valid driver's license for at least a year. FWS pay starts at $17.50/hour.

And hello alumni - these photos are from alternative break trips during spring 2015!

You all don't want to miss this. Friday, October 25 in the Arrupe Multipurpose Room, we are gathering in celebration of 10 years of having a Georgetown University Program on Justice and Peace major (30+ years of having a minor!) and of the "JUPS" founder, Professor "Emeritus" Mark Norris Lance!

At 2:00pm ET, we will start with with a panel of amazing JUPS alumni and professors - c: Guillermo Barriga (School of Foreign Service - Georgetown University '11) from the Metro Migrant Education Program in Colorado; Lauren Reese (Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences '12) now at The Trevor Project in NYC; Kat Godfrey (School of Foreign Service - Georgetown University '03) a director at The Aspen Institute and Andrew Willis Garces of for Change. And of course, Mark Lance!

After an hour, we will break for accolades on Mark and an announcement of a new Founders Award in his honor! And of course nourishment of food, drink, and community!

You can RSVP at JUPSatGU.eventbrite.com if you'd like but more important JUST COME OUT! This is THE WAY to end your week.

Thanks to The Hoya for this photo of Mark from one of his last Op-Eds.

Celebrate Democracy and Dr. Ryann Craig’s birthday this evening Tuesday, October 22 from 5:15-6:45pm at the Center for Social Justice with bracelet making and tunes and (gluten free) treats! Stay the whole time, come by for a few minutes: decompress a bit, reflect on the election season, and just hang out with us for a break.

CSJ Open House in Poulton Hall (just outside the gates by the Koi Pond) from 12-3 pm! Meet the students, staff, and faculty working to advance justice and the common good. Free Maracas Ice Pops too!