Activate Boston
Climate Justice
UUCSJ By The Numbers
The UU College of Social Justice was jointly founded in the summer of 2012 by the UUA and UUSC, so this year we are celebrating a big anniversary. We are grateful for all of our alumni and supporters who have made our work possible! In honor of of all of you and our...
Don’t just learn about justice — do justice!
This one-week training for high school youth offers interactive social justice education and meaningful work with local organizations engaged in the climate justice movement. Participants will see firsthand Boston’s historic roots as a harbor city built primarily on landfill, and how that pushes up against the city’s future as climates change and sea levels rise. In a program grounded in UU values and practices, participants will learn about systems of privilege and oppression and how we are called to respond to our world’s changing needs.
This program will run from August 6-13, 2017
Youth who attended high school (grades 9–12) during the 2016-2017 school year are invited to attend.
How to Apply
To join this program, you will need to submit an application and a reference form. If you attend a UU or other religious congregation, we request that this reference be your minister or your director of religious education. If you do not attend a congregation, this reference should be an adult who is not a relative, and who can speak to your personality and leadership development. Teachers, coaches, and supervisors are all good options. When asking an adult to be your reference, send them this link with more information and the reference form: uucsj.org/activatereference
Once both parts of your application have been received, you will receive a response within two weeks.
Cost and Financial Assistance
The full cost of this program is $980 per participant. Financial assistance is available by application for those with demonstrated financial need. With financial assistance, this program’s direct cost is as low as $225.
If you would like to be considered for financial assistance, be sure to fill out the relevant questions on the application. Financial aid is contingent on the availability of funding, and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cost includes lodging, food, supervision, and all programming. Cost does not include transportation to and from Boston.
What Participants Had to Say
“[This] is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life… I truly cannot express how good this program was for me. I’ve turned from someone who was sort of interested in social justice to a true activist and I would never have been able to do that alone.” —Amethyst M.
“I was honestly pretty unsure of what to expect… but I did know that I wanted to learn about how to work in social justice and to meet other people who were interested in the same things, and it turned out to be just what I was looking for!” —Sophie M.
“I loved it, I felt that everyone should have an education on these issues, and I think that this program can open up worldviews, whether you are UU or not.” —Madeline R.
Accommodations and Supervision
Participants will stay in Andover Newton Theological School’s spacious single dormitories with shared bathrooms, access to common rooms, coin-operated laundry facilities, and a communal kitchen. Located in Newton Centre, on the MBTA Green Line, youth will have easy access to their program and internships. Fans and basic furnishings will be provided. Participants are asked to provide their own linens.
This is an active, urban program. Participants will be supervised by adult staff overnight and during the day for the duration of the program. They will be provided thorough orientation to the city and its public transportation system.
Resources
Help us spread the word! Check back soon for a downloadable flyer and Facebook image.
Watch this great video that highlights participants’ reflections from 2013’s youth justice training in Boston.
