Advocacy

We’ve been hearing a lot of calls for civility recently. Maybe you have too.

People are rightly concerned about the toxicity of our current cultural climate(s). (You too, Canada!) There’s so little space these days for carefully reasoned, nuanced arguments. Each side of the political spectrum seems to have their own vocabulary, and people can be written off as “just a leftist” or “just a right-winger” (or more damning words) simply by using one word over another. Lines have been drawn in the sand, and people are choosing their sides.

Melissa is the newest member of the Office of Social Justice team. She joins our team this week as the Justice Mobilization Specialist, and will work to network and encourage justice seekers as they take next steps on their justice journeys. Melissa was a Legislative Assistant to Representative Luis Gutierrez where she wrote sign-on letters, internal memoranda, and various materials for the Congressman's work in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from Calvin College and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan.  

Andrew is the newest member of the Office of Social Justice team. He joins our team this week as the Justice Mobilization Specialist, and will work to network and encourage justice as they take next steps on their justice journeys. Andrew was the Student Body President at Calvin College and also worked on campus with the Campus Involvement and Leadership Office where he oversaw the recruitment and training of orientation interns. He has his B.A.

After retiring from teaching Chemistry and Environmental Science at Redeemer University College, Dr. Henry Brouwer is now the Eastern Canada Regional Climate Witness Project Coordinator of the Christian Reformed Church. In the wake of a flurry of historic climate change news in Canada, Dr. Brouwer agreed to share his expertise with Do Justice.

In the hundreds of conversations I’ve had about climate change, hope, and stewardship, the talk inevitably turns to politics. Rightly so. There is a lot we can do in our own homes, but we also look for guidance and direction from our governments: local, provincial, and federal. Recycling and waste recovery programs tend to be local, whereas larger programs like green energy generation and carbon taxes are left to the provinces or the federal government.

Strolling along the seaside town of Sai Kung, Hong Kong recently, I had a significant conversation with two of my wife’s cousins, both in their early 30’s. I have been visiting Hong Kong with Yee Lam since the handover of the colony from British control back to China in 1997, visiting with these girls since they were young. We used to visit every two years, but four years have gone by since we last were in Hong Kong. We were talking about how much has changed in both our countries, and our hearts, since we had last talked face to face.

Cameron is the newest member of the Office of Social Justice team. He joins our team this week as the Justice Mobilizing and Advocacy Fellow, a one year position with our office. Cameron comes to us from a background in international development after attending Calvin College in Michigan where he received a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies with minors in Spanish and Ministry Leadership. This past year, Cameron served as an Marketing and Resource Development Americorps VISTA volunteer for Latin United Community Housing Association in Chicago.

“In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.”

‘They treat us how they see us.’

I remember the excitement I felt when our refugee friends walked into the waiting area at O’Hare. The little group from our church did not know how to speak to them, but we had attempted some signs in Arabic and brought small gifts and flowers to try to show them a warm welcome.