Posted by ken on December 12, 2011 · Leave a Comment
“Rachel’s Gift is an 8 part series until December 23. To listen to the audio backgrounder, click: Rachel’s Gift episode 5 If you missed episodes go to ‘Recent Posts’ (right hand column)..
I was on the streets and my boyfriend took me to some of the drop ins in the city. He took me to the OIM drop in – I didn’t even know there was a drop in there. It was pretty cool.
I came to the OIM office probably about two years ago. It must have been Christmas or something, because the spread you guys had out on the table was awesome. We had lots and lots of food. It was really, really cool.
I started to come to the drop in all the time, and one day Jason [youth outreach worker] came up to me and said, “Hey would you be interested in coming to our youth art program?” When he talked to me, he actually got through to me. It was like, hey, somebody actually cared for me.
The next youth event was the art show at the church. It was really cool. I saw all the stuff the kids were doing, how happy they were, it was really cool. I didn’t know that about them. I knew them from the street but I didn’t know that there was anything like this art group.
There isn’t anything else out there like this.
I started going to the art group all the time. It is so different from the life on the street. The street life is drugs, drugs, and more drugs. At the art group there is something so real, like its real life. I haven’t seen that in a long time, probably ever. It’s just like normal everyday kids. You don’t see normal everyday kids on the streets.
I go to the art group all the time. I look forward to it. When I come to the office on Thursdays (work skills program), I don’t even go back home in case I fall asleep and miss art group. So I just stay downtown until art group.
I am so looking forward to the next art show. I haven’t been able to show any of my art yet. I have a couple of pieces, maybe three. My mom’s really looking forward to coming and my brother too.
It has made a big difference in the last couple of months.
It makes me think, ‘Yeah, I can do this’.
Next Week: Amazed at how she has been accepted into the community, Rachel shares her feelings about finally belonging to a community of caring people.
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Assets Based Community Development, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Christmas, christmas cheer, Christmas giving, christmas on the streets, creative arts, Dignity, Drop In Services, General Poverty, gift of christmas, homeless christmas, meaning of christmas, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa, systemic poverty canada · Tagged with Addictions, Alcoholism, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, break cycle poverty, christmas gift, christmas poverty, christmas spirit, Dignity, drop in service, gift of christmas, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Street Outreach, street work, street youth outreach
Posted by ken on December 5, 2011 · Leave a Comment
“Rachel’s Gift is an 8 part series until December 23. To listen to the audio backgrounder, click: Rachel’s Gift episode 3 If you missed episodes go to ‘Recent Posts’ (right hand column).
So I was at a party and I saw my mom doing a line of coke and I was shocked. “Wuh? What are you doing?” and lost my mind and I started to party real hard. I was confused and concerned and kinda wondering all at the same time.
I really started to think. My mom was using a lot, and using more and drinking and using coke and I was wondering why this was so much better than your children, than loving your children – using coke that is.
I love my mom a lot, and I still do. Whatever it was about coke, it must be good. That’s what my thinking was. I did my first line of coke shortly after that. I was seventeen.
I had been living on my own, but one of the things that happened when I discovered coke was, I couldn’t pay my rent anymore. I moved in with my boyfriend and his mom. I worked a couple of places, but I was always going in hung over. I had to get out of that small town.
I moved to Ottawa and I moved in with my dad. I had nowhere else to go. I ended up meeting this guy that my dad introduced me to, which ended up being his crack dealer, and I started dating him. My Dad was doing a lot of crack then and I ended up paying the rent – or trying at least. I was working a bit, but I was partying hard at the same time. I don’t know why, but my dad really got mad at me. I mean, he was using all the time then, not working, making deals, and I guess he looked at me and couldn’t stand to see me doing what I was doing – with the drugs and all that.
I lasted three months and then got my eviction notice – signed by the mayor. They (the authorities) basically brought boxes, packed my stuff and moved me out. My brother was in jail, but his girlfriend had an extra room and I moved in with her.
By this time I was selling drugs big time with the guy that I met through my dad. Every day was the same – using more and more, all the time. I got busted and went to jail for a while.
When I got out of jail I had nowhere to go, I was just like floating around.
Next week: Rachel really does ‘hit the bottom’. More drugs, living on the streets, the crack house… the cycle continues with no apparent escape. What will happen next?
OIM does not receive on-going government funding to operate any of our programs, but instead we rely on the good will donations of concerned citizens and business owners in the National Capital Region. We need your help to continue our youth outreach program. Please make a donation today. Click “Donate” at the top of this page. Thanks!
Filed under About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Christmas, Christmas giving, christmas on the streets, christmas spirit, Dignity, gift of christmas, homeless christmas, Homelessness, meaning of christmas, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa, systemic poverty canada · Tagged with Addictions, Alcoholism, break cycle poverty, christmas gift, christmas poverty, crystal meth, Dignity, gift of christmas, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, jail time, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, social justice, Street Youth, street youth outreach
Posted by ken on November 14, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Imagine: You have lived your whole life thinking you are a ‘zero without the rim’. Violence in your ‘home’ has forced you to leave. The streets are as bad as your worst imaginations, but at least better than the mean drunk of a step father who beat you with a hockey stick.
Then: You become a part of a safe enviornment where you do art. You certainly are not an artist by any stretch of anyone’s imagination, but guess what? People you don’t even know, talk to you about how interesting your creations are, how they stir their imaginations, ask what the story is behind the art… and you are launched into a new realm of existence where suddenly, you are a person.
This is not a far stretch of the imagination! One of the kids in the show came up to me and with absolute amazement in her eyes, told me that someone bid $100 for one of her paintings. Low and behold, that person was right beside me at the time! It’s enough to change a life!
Unexpected outcomes: Relatives of the kids came and bid on the art pieces! People spoke highly of the program and congratulated the kids! People lingered and spoke with the young artists. It was a good day and a great show.
Thanks to the many who made this happen! Want to learn more? Call us!
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Assets Based Community Development, Breaking the cycle of poverty, creative arts, Dignity, Events, Miracle on the Streets, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada · Tagged with ABCD, Assets Based Community Development, biblical justice, break cycle poverty, Dignity, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Respect, Street Youth, street youth outreach, walk the streets
Posted by ken on July 25, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Our youth outreach worker recounted this story of last Monday’s events, and I thought you would be interested.
Eddy was one of the first members of our Passion 4 youth art program. He enjoyed coming every week and worked on building model cars and also a model of a mountain with a stream running from the side. After the first art show he and his girlfriend Sue stopped coming to the group. I caught up with him a few times on outreach and he told me that he was selling too much crack now and could not afford to take a night off. So we just kept telling him that we loved him and that he was welcome to come back whenever he wanted to. Then we stopped hearing from him all together for a few months. At one point his girlfriend Sue contacted me and told me that he had been arrested for selling drugs. A few more months went by and I got a facebook message from Eddy. He told me that he had served 7 months in Jail and then was released to serve the rest of his sentence at a rehab facility in Quebec. He was allowed to go home for a weekend and while at home he used heroin again. When he came back to rehab and failed a drug test and was dismissed from the facility.
At his next court appearance Eddy was informed that he would have to serve a few more months in jail because he failed the drug test. He asked if he could go and call his mother. When he left the room, Eddy got scared and decided to run from the court room. He later called his lawyer who told him that he needed to turn himself in to the authorities. He knew that he should do the right thing but he was very scared to turn himself in.
Eddy asked me what I thought he should do and I told him that he needed to listen to his lawyer. He said that he has never willingly put himself in Jail. It was just too crazy to think about. So over the next few weeks Eddy would contact me and tell me that he was going to turn himself in. But the next day he would not follow through. He called me again and said that he was thinking about turning himself over to authorities in the morning. I told him that if he wanted I would meet him I would meet with him at the Rideau center in the morning and we could go together. That way he could have a friend with him in case he got scared and wanted to run away again. Eddy said that he would like that so we arranged a time to meet. When I arrived at our meeting spot he was already there waiting for me. We hugged and I told him that I was proud of him. I got him some breakfast and sat and talked for a while. I asked him why he felt that he was ready now. He told me that he had just found out that our mutual friend Roni had died of a drug overdose last week. Roni was a good friend to him and her death had a profound effect on him. He decided that if he didn’t want to end up the same way he needed to make some changes in his life. We talked about how this was an opportunity for him to face some of the things that he has been running from. We walked over to the court house together. Along the way Eddy noticed a man sitting on the Mackenzie King Bridge pan handling. Eddy walked over and gave him all but 4 of the cigarettes from his pack, as well as all of the money in his pocket. We went into the court and called his lawyer. The lawyer agreed to meet him there. When the lawyer came we approached one of the police officers stationed at the court house and told him that Eddy was turning himself in. He filled out some paper work gave up his wallet and shoe laces. He looked very scared and started to cry. The officer told him that he was going to process the paper work and be back in about fifteen minutes. In the mean time Eddy was allowed to go outside and have one last smoke.
We walked out to the patio in the back and he lit his cigarette. At this point I reminded him of all the times we had talked about the difference that Jesus could make in his life. We talked about how God’s love for him is unconditional, and that he was going to need Gods strength to overcome the things that were controlling his life. Usually an agnostic, Eddy told me that this time he really believed that what I was saying was true. So I asked if he would like to ask the Lord to be his Savior and give his life to Christ he said that he did. I sat next to him and we prayed together. When we were done praying we looked up and the police officer was waiting in front of us to take him to the cells. We stood up and walked together with the officer to the elevator.
The officer agreed not to handcuff him until they were downstairs so as not to embarrass him in front of the public. Eddy teared up again and then gave me a hug. I left him my number so that he can continue to call me while he is in jail. He thanked me for staying with him and then asked if I would call his dad and let him know what happened. As I left the court I thought about how proud of Eddy I was. This was very hard for him but he did it anyway. I thanked God for taking what the devil would want to use for harm and turning it into an opportunity to bring my friend into a relationship with him.
It’s a new beginning for Eddy, a fresh start. Let’s pray that he continues to make good decisions and plans for his future.
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Assets Based Community Development, Breaking the cycle of poverty, creative arts, Dignity, Events, Homelessness, Justice, justice canada, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa · Tagged with ABCD, Addictions, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, break cycle poverty, criminal justice system, Dignity, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, jail time, justice system, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, street work, Street Youth, street youth outreach
Posted by ken on July 4, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Our recent youth art show was a hit! Great venue, great art, great food and guests – but there is a dynamic to the whole scenario that surpasses them all! For you ‘bottom liners’, it’s the work of the Master Artist shaping, reforming and molding lives. That is the real deal.
One of the gals with yellow spiked hair took the art group camera and just started taking pictures of people, artwork and activities. Another young man took opportunity to play the guitar and sing. A second guitar was picked up and strummed. One of the girls shared some poetry about life on the street, and another gal sang Janis Joplin’s hit “Lord wontcha buy me a Mercedes Benz.” People from the community mulling and commenting about the art and reviewing its impact. Art hanging from the ceiling, art displayed on the tables, spoken word and song… and then, well you know I’d come back to it, the living art that made the art.
Moving. Stirring. Amazing. All of the above.
One piece in particular grabbed my attention. An old school Polaroid camera with some instructions written and taped near the viewfinder, “Look here.” Another message taped on the side of the camera said, “One picture doesn’t tell the story.” Curiousity aroused, I took a peek.
The viewfinder revealed one photograph of a young man sitting on a curb. No distinctive expression on his face. Nothing particular about his appearance, dressed in shirt and jeans. Not ‘flying a sign’ or cap inviting donations. Just a young man sitting on the curb.
Ah, then I remember the ‘one picture doesn’t tell the story’ line and my mind races forward at light speed. How true, not just of this one young man, but the larger picture (sorry about that) about life. What you see in a moment, what you experience in one interaction, what you can assess or glean from one brief conversation – does not even begin to tell the story.
Then I got angry at myself: how many times have I had the audacity to analyze, scrutinize and evaluate from one brief glimpse, from one short encounter? Far too many for me to recount here. How many times have I made my assessment from one snapshot? Instances started to flood my mind and my head was spinning.
I held the Polaroid at arms’ length, its message penetrating deep into my own soul. I really don’t know much about art, but something was happening here…
The Master Artist was doing a bit of reshaping in me…
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Assets Based Community Development, Breaking the cycle of poverty, creative arts, Dignity, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Miracle on the Streets, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa · Tagged with ABCD, Addictions, Alcoholism, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, break cycle poverty, Dignity, help the poor, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Respect, social justice, Street Outreach, street work, street youth outreach
Posted by ken on June 7, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Our street youth art program is really making a difference in young people’s lives. Street-engaged youth are finding housing, employment, entering programs for reducing their drug use and making better life choices in general. Each week about fourteen young people come to the art group, but it’s so much more than creating art!
Some of the kids have described it as ‘family’, others as ‘church’, and all as something they really look forward to each week. Some have described it as the highlight of their week, and look forward to Thursday nights. It is amazing to watch these young people grow and develop in so many different areas.
One of the ways we are funding this non-government program is through our first golf tournament to be held on June 17. Mountain Creek Golf Course in Arnprior will host the tournament with a shotgun start at 12 noon. Eighteen holes with four ‘hole-in-one’ prizes, closest to the pin, longest drive, putting contest and a few other surprises will certainly engage and excite novice and pro golfers alike. It’s a best ball tournament, so there is a chance that someone on your foursome will make a good shot.
A barbeque medley will follow, along with a silent auction, and each golfer will take home a special prize – some pretty nice prizes too, if I don’t say so myself.
It is promising to be a great day, and one that you will not want to miss. We have between 25 and 30 teams currently registered (a few await confirmation – and payment) with room for 36 teams in total.
The few spaces remaining will go quickly and we will probably sell out – so call us today and register your team.
Remember – it’s not only a fun daygolfing, but a great cause. All the monies raised will go directly towards our Passion for Youth Art Program. Call us at 613-237-6031!
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Assets Based Community Development, Breaking the cycle of poverty, creative arts, Dignity, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Passion for Youth art program, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Street Youth, street youth art program, Street Youth Ottawa · Tagged with ABCD, Addictions, Alcoholism, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, break cycle poverty, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ottawa, Make a diference, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Street Youth, street youth outreach
Posted by ken on May 27, 2011 · Leave a Comment
A non profit, NGO, faith-based charity, supported by regular people (like you) who REALLY believe in what we do, some churches and businesses supporting- it’s GREAT! and we are inviting YOU to be a part of this and help us celebrate together! It’s a fund raising live and silent auction, a Dave Smith famous BBQ and FUN time.
LIVE AUCTION (with Dave Smith): $3,000 home furnishing redo, Upper Room Home Furnishings; $2,000 construcxtion redo/deck/repair, Dodds Construction; $2,000 advertising package, the JEWEL 98.5 fm; $1,000 value week long cottage rental; $1,400 500 cc Honda Interceptor motorcycle; $600 summer/winter tires and MORE!
Over 70 silent auction items will also be available for bidding!
A HUGE treasure chest, couples’ romantic getaway, plane ride, restaurant meals, Bed & Breakfasts, and MORE!
Who will be the first winner to the DESSERT DASH? Ahh… we’lll see about that!
The flashing banner (above) will direct you to the rest of the details of the auction, so click and call today.
Thanks for your support!
Posted by ken on May 20, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Easter Dinner happened May 19th, a couple of weeks after the event . The delay is typical for us, so our folks can enjoy a special meal after the other agencies have held their own event meals days running – sometimes there will be two turkey dinners on the same day!
Maybe one hundred and fifty at two seatings – it all went smoothly. There were many volunteers, great service, greater interaction with our street friends, and seconds of meals and desserts for all who were interested.
Let me highlight one key interaction that was both powerful and profound. There are two young men, maybe 11 and 12 years old, who have been volunteering at our special dinners for several years. They came with both parents this year, and are both comfortable and capable in their service at the dinner.
I was talking with one of our guests, Bill, after the dinner when our two young volunteers walked by, preparing to depart with mom and dad. I stopped to speak with them and asked them how their day went. Fine, they affirmed. I asked if they had opportunity to visit with any of our street friends, and they said they did not have that chance. I thanked them for coming.
Just then Bill, who had overheard our conversation, joined the conversation and had some specific words of encouragement that he delivered to the two boys. He commended them and their parents for coming out to volunteer and help serve the meal. It was very special to have young people learn how to serve others at an early age he said, and it really meant a lot to him (particularly) and to all the guests (generally) to know that others cared. He spoke sincere words of appreciation and thanks to the young men, and again thanked them for caring.
I could sense Bill’s words carried a great deal of weight as the boys looked up and eagerly listened to this ‘rounder’ (been around a long time) as he expressed his gratitude. It was very real and genuine, and the boys could sense his sincerity. Although the conversation lasted only a few moments, it will be a conversation that the boys may never forget.
It is also typical of volunteers’ interactions with our street friends: no matter how convinced volunteers are that they come to encourage, minister and help, they learn quickly that they are often the recipients of the encouragement, ministry and blessing.
I think it is a principle of the Kingdom. A reversal of the world’s values and expectations. The greatest will be the least, the servant will be the master.
Happy Easter – every day!
Filed under Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Respect, Social, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice
Posted by ken on March 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment
March winds blow, or it pours rain, minus 30 with the wind chill – or any combination thereof. Only in Canada, eh?
We can look forward to spring, but it seems a long time coming.
No less for our street friends – not that’s the understatement of the year.
Christmas is a time typically when there is a generous outpouring of love and generosity to those on the streets and we are thankful for this. But what about after Christmas?
Maybe we don’t think about it all that much, but the winter is a misery when you are on the move all the time, with no place to rest your usually wet, cold, freezing feet. The laundromat is usually a good place, but it is often the case that the proprietors of the same are on the lookout for people who don’t wash their clothes. The laundromat just beside our offfice entance is a good example. It is common for the police to be called to this place, because some of Ottawa’s homeless population need a warm place.
In extreme cold -whatever that is- I guess it depends on whether or not you are in the cold all the time . Street-engaged people are herded up and forced to go ‘inside’ (not the Chateau Laurier). This experience can be worse that staying outside, because it is yet another violation of their persons (the force that can accompany can be excessive) – there are reasons why people cannot access services.
I guess I’m painting a pretty dark, bleak picture. A bit negative, eh? But it is what it is – I’m pretty sure about that.
What then? Well, don’t forget about those on the streets, even when the weather has some degree of improvement: the nights are still very cold.
Why not think about doing something about this problem? You could contact one of the local agencies in your city and volunteer to do something. Maybe you could give something – time, talents or money. Stop and talk to someone you pass who is panhandling on the streets: you would be surprised how ‘invisible’ someone can become as soon as they sit on a curb with a ball cap and ask for money. Give or not, it’s up to you, but you need to see that this is a real person, with a real story, he/she is where she is, not from choice, but from a cascade of trouble that they could do nothing to change (it usually begins with childhood abuse – how can we hold someone responsible for that?)
Give some change if you like – better a bill. Once you give, forget about what will happen to it. We hold people so very responsible for so little, when we are so careless with the treasures with which we have been blessed.
One thing for sure: we really can’t do nothing about this. In our affluence, remember the poor.
Make a difference. Go out there and change your world.
Filed under About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, General Poverty, Homelessness, Injustice, Justice, justice canada, mental health, mental illness, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with Addictions, Alcoholism, break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, injustice Ontario, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice, Street Outreach, Street Youth, Volunteer, Volunteering, walk the streets
Posted by ken on March 4, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Big transition of our drop in this past week from Salvation Army Gladstone Street to Dominion Chalmers U/C on Lisgar. For those who aren’t aware of this prestigous United Church, have a look at photos at http://www.dc-church.org/ A remarkable, extrememly well kept, renovated, bright, cheery place – exactly the kind of place that our street friends deserve to come into for a meal, refreshment and friendship.
Switching from Wednesday to Tuesday and the first of the month when all the cheques are out, and when it is absolutely beautiful and sunny, attendance was a bit low. But, every person is important, and our gift is to come alongside those who are given to us on any day.
I had seen Jacques several times but never had a chance to sit and visit until today. Add to that, Jacques can neither hear nor speak. So I sat across the table and tried to communicate, thinking he might read lips or we could have some sort of communication. He clearly indicated some things to me, one of which was he was not interested in trying to communicate with me (at least in my clumsy manner). I was at a loss, until I looked at the white napkin in front of me, and then caught a glimpse of a pen that my neighbour had placed next to her book. DUH!!
I picked up the pen and napkin and wrote a sentence of welcome.
The transformation was immediate and eagerly accepted. After a few pen exchanges, I went and found some loose leaf and we spent the next while going back and forth, writing like we were age old friends.
Jacques told me days, dates and years of significant events in his life. We talked about the drop in and answered questions that he had since he came through our doors some time ago. Of where he lived, how it was hard to live on ODSP, how old he was, where he was raised and more…
It was refreshing, even exhilerating! I had a friend to talk with, and so did he.
We get so busy with things – and I would be one of the worst offenders. This and that call for immediate attention and we can neglect or overlook the gifts of beauty in the people around us. This is clearly my story with Jacques.
I wonder who the deaf and dumb one really is.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of writing before, but I am thank God that I thought of it this week.
And I thank God for my new friend – my note pal.
I wonder what riches we will uncover as we develop our friendship? I am really looking forward to more.
God help us to slow down and see the opportunities that present themselves to all of us each day.
Filed under About OIM, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Justice, justice canada, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Respect · Tagged with break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice
