About JusticeworX
- What is JusticeworX?
- What is the history of the JusticeworX program?
- Program Outline and Details
- Who an attend JusticeworX?
- Does our group need to send a chaperone?
- Do I have to be Catholic? Christian?
- What is the fee?
- Is their financial assistance available?
- Who makes up the program staff?
- Has the staff been properly background checked?
- Where will the participants be serving during JusticeworX?
- How is transportation organized?
- Can a student with a health condition participate?
- What about medications?
- How do I register?
- 2010 JusticeworX Programs Offered
What is JusticeworX?
JusticeworX is a weeklong service immersion experience offered by The Center for FaithJustice, which is designed to help high school age students explore the connections between their faith, the Gospel call to service and justice and their everyday lives. Dynamic prayer services, a trained and passionate staff, thought invoking presentations, activities and discussions combine to form young people in a faith that will last a lifetime.
What is the history of the JusticeworX program?
JusticeworX was created in 1999 by the mother and son team of Helen and Sean Sanford. Combining the best methodology of youth ministry, service trips and Cathloic Social Teaching, JusticeworX instills in young people an awareness of social justice through experiences of faith and community service. Inspired by the Gospel, JusticeworX helps youth understand how and why the Church teaches that issues of peace, justice and service are central to our identity as Christians. By empowering young people to help build the Kingdom of God, we are offering them a precious resource – a faith that speaks to their lives and helps them navigate the complexities of the world.
JusticeworX was begun with a few dozen students from Immaculata High School in Somerville, NJ and St. Charles Borromeo Church in Skillman, NJ. Over its first ten years JusticeworX has been able to reach out to thousands of youth, encouraging them to become faith based advocates for change. Due largely to the success of the JusticeworX program The Center for FaithJustice has expanded its summer programs to include later the ServiceworX program for Jr. High students and the LeaderworX program for young adults.
Program Outline and Details
The Center for FaithJustice is pleased to offer the JusticeworX program in several different locations, including Trenton, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wayne County, West Virginia. The specific itineraries of each trip vary slightly depending on which of the JusticeworX programs you are attending. For specific details please click the information link for the program you would like to attend at the bottom of the page. Below is a generic outline that lays out the general outline of a week at a JusticeworX experience:
JusticeworX begins on Sunday evening at 6:30pm with participant arrival and check-in. The first evening consists of a tour of the host facility, an introduction to the weeks events, staff introductions, icebreaker/community building activities and discussions and wraps up with prayer and reflection. A typical week-day at JusticeworX includes:
- 7:30 AM — Rise & Shine
- 8:00 AM — Breakfast
- 8:30 AM — Morning Prayer & Reflection
- 9:00 AM — Depart for Service Sites
- 9:30 AM — Service at Work Sites
- 12:00 PM — Lunch Break and Discussion
- 12:30 PM — Back to Work!
- 3:00 PM — Depart Service Site for Host Facility
- 3:30 PM — Recreation & Community Building Activities
- 5:30 PM — Dinner
- 6:30 PM — Evening Discussion & Activities
- 10:00 PM — Free Time Recreation
- 11:30 PM — Bed & Lights Out
As the above schedule outlines participants get up bright and early for breakfast and morning prayer. After prayer participants head off with their service group to serve at a local agency until 3pm at which point they will return to the host facility with their service group. Once back at the host facility participants take part in recreational free time, which consists of games and activities that are planned, and run by program staff members.
After dinner participants will join in a variety of dynamic presentations and interactive experiences that will introduce them to faith, service and justice themes. They will have daily opportunities to reflect on their experiences, share with their peers and learn about ways in which they can live their faith by serving others.
Participants will also have chances to participate in music, worship and Mass during the course of the week. Following evening prayer, students head up for a good night sleep. JusticeworX comes to a close on Saturday after lunch and a closing activity.
Who an attend JusticeworX?
Participation is open to any student who has completed a year of high school during the past academic year. All levels of experience are welcome, whether the participant is a service veteran or has never done service of any kind before!
Does our group need to send a chaperone?
NO! We recognize how hard it is for many adults – youth ministers, parents, volunteers – to take time off to take a group of students on JusticeworX which is why we provide an incredible, well trained, staff. If students would like to attend but do not have a chaperone to come with them it is absolutely no problem. While we certainly encourage adult participants to accompany their participants we do not require it.
Do I have to be Catholic? Christian?
No. JusticeworX is a program in the Catholic Christian tradition. Catholic faith guides our understanding of social justice and informs our worship life, however, JusticeworX is also designed to be an open and welcoming experience for anyone wishing to live a life rooted in the Gospel. We happily welcome participants from various Christian backgrounds and those outside the Christian tradition interested in learning more about it.
What is the fee?
When we say that JusticeworX is an all inclusive program that’s exactly what we mean. The program fee of $388/participant gets you everything from start to finish. Unlike other service programs JusticeworX includes a fully trained staff at a ration of 6:1, all vehicle transportation (which means you don’t have to rent your own vans!) room, board, program expenses, facility usage and the program t-shirt. All you have to do is drop-off the participant and pick them up at the end of the week; we will handle everything in between!
A deposit of $100 secures a space with subsequent payments to follow. Spaces cannot be held without the non-refundable deposit.
Is their financial assistance available?
Yes. In some cases The Center for FaithJustice is able to offer financial assistance. Participants seeking financial assistance or scholarships may complete a scholarship application. For more information please contact the Program Director.
Who makes up the program staff?
JusticeworX is staffed by a number of wonderful professional ministers and young adults passionate about working with kids! Most of our staff come to us from a sister program called LeaderworX. LeaderworX is a unique community of incredible young adults dedicated to a life of faith, service and justice. All WorX staff teams are led by Program Coordinators comprised of ministry professionals who coordinate the day-to-day activities of all our participants.
Has the staff been properly background checked?
Yes. All summer staff are chosen from applicants across the country and undergo a two week preparation process. All of our staff are background checked and undergo safety training as per the national guidelines of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Our staff to participant ration is 6:1 or better at all times. Safety is a constant theme both in training and daily supervision of staff members.
Where will the participants be serving during JusticeworX?
The sites the participants will be serving at vary depending on which of the JusticeworX programs they are attending. For specific information please click the information tab under the JusticeworX program you are attending on the home page. The service sites are generally located within 30 minutes of the host facility. In recent years, agencies have included day care centers, housing rehabilitation sites, soup kitchens, food pantries, community gardening programs and senior care centers among others.
When selecting service sites, safety is always our first priority. All service sites are managed by agencies with which we have developed a previous working relationship. Our second condition is that they serve poor or needy populations.
How is transportation organized?
Groups and individuals must arrange for their own transportation to and from the host facility. Once participants have arrived the JusticeworX Program Staff handles all transportation for the duration of the program. Participants travel to and from the service sites with their group leaders in 7 passenger vans. All staff drivers are 21 years or older, have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. All participants MUST wear seat belts while being transported.
Can a student with a health condition participate?
JusticeworX attempts to accommodate students with physical impairments when possible. Parents/guardians are invited to call and chat with the Program Director to determine if the required support of a particular youth exceeds the ability of program staff. Parents/guardians must notify staff via the medical information section of the registration form if their child suffers from any physical, dietary, behavioral or emotional disorders. This is of the utmost importance.
What about medications?
The parent/guardian of a participant must provide JusticeworX staff with information on all medications being taken. Parents must request - in writing - if they wish for staff to dispense medications to their child. Our ability to honor this request will be decided in collaboration with parent(s)/guardian(s). Alternatively, parents must also indicate in writing if they are authorizing their children to “self-dispense” any medications. Such notifications must be included with the health & waiver forms.
How do I register?
In order to register please return to the homepage and select the program and week you would like to attend. Once you click on that week you will be taken through our online registration process. If you have any questions regarding the registration process please contact the Program Director.
