Organizing for Justice
“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world. - Dolores Huerta
Our organizing and advocacy programming draws inspiration from generations of people who worked to bend the arc of history toward justice. We will connect and learn from organizers and advocates who work every single day to change unjust systems, build power for positive change, and advocate for policies that move us toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.
Advocacy Trip to Springfield
Organizing for Justice Practicum - Winter Quarter 2024 - Registration Open NOW - Deadline December 1, 2023
Register here: https://forms.dosa.northwestern.edu/view.php?id=1811482
Organizing for Justice is a ten week, non-credit course that will teach you the skills to build power and to be an effective organizer and advocate on issues you care about. You'll work with experienced organizers on real campaigns as a field experience alongside the weekly classroom component.
We meet on campus during winter quarter on Tuesdays from 11:00 am – 12:15 pm. You’ll also work with an organizer on a campaign of your choosing to make real change on a pressing justice issue and learn from experienced organizers on the ground. You should expect to spend about 2 hours per week contributing to your community partner’s campaign.
This year, we’ll also take an optional trip to Springfield to meet legislators, sit in on proceedings, and see policy change in action. Exact date TBD, but it will be a full day on a Wednesday during winter quarter… so talk to your professors now about missing class that one time. It will be worth it!
Past Organizing for Justice community partner campaigns have included the following:
- Passing a law in Illinois to provide free tampons and pads in K-12 public schools
- Building support for affordable housing and tenants rights in Chicago
- Improving healthcare access for immigrants through the Affordable Care Act
- Advocating to eliminate debt due to court fees
- Working to decriminalize sex work
- Ensuring that power wheelchair users have access to their wheelchairs in times of crisis
Organizing for Justice is co-facilitated by Mony Ruiz-Velasco, Deputy Director of Equality Illinois and Kelly Bencola, Director of Leadership Development & Community Engagement.
Questions? Email: kelly.bencola@northwestern.edu
