Voices for Justice is a new student organization at Grand Valley State University. During its first semester of operation, members have focused on advocating for social causes and gaining a campus presence through events, meetings and interactions with established groups.
Group members meet weekly in the Russel H. Kirkhof Center to discuss current events and political issues that affect GVSU students. Voices for Justice researches local volunteering and fundraising activities to take part in and offers space for members to discuss their thoughts and opinions. Meetings are prioritized as a time to connect with one another, emphasized by their casual and conversational atmosphere.
“Voices for Justice is an organization that prioritizes and expresses the importance of human rights,” said Gabrielle Salinas, the club’s president. “We heavily focus on what we can do for others and how we can make a difference. Everyone who is a part of Voices for Justice is compassionate, positive and supportive of each other.”
Recently, Voices for Justice engaged in an opportunity to assist refugees through volunteer work. Students worked with the Chicago Refugee Coalition, a nonprofit organization that works to provide support and resources to refugees as they begin their lives in the United States.
“During our time volunteering, we provided individuals with items such as clothing, accessories, sanitary products and food,” said Chloe Ward, vice president of Voices for Justice. “We were able to help support families who were in need of certain products.
Voices for Justice also encourages student participation through movie screenings. In February, the organization held a screening of “42: The Jackie Robinson Story.” The film was chosen to highlight Robinson’s impact on the sport and promote awareness of Black excellence. On Monday, March 31, the group showed “Hidden Figures.” The 2016 biographical film follows Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, three women who worked as NASA mathematicians in the 1960s. After viewing, participants discussed the film’s themes and fostered conversation about identity and discrimination.
“A major takeaway from the film is the portrayal of racial and gender barriers,” Salinas said. “The film allowed us to have conversations about how far society has come in terms of racial and gender equality, but also how much further there still is to go in many fields.”
Salinas said the club will continue to host film events in order to increase awareness for the student body, and give attendees a forum to discuss and consider complex issues.
Voices for Justice members are looking forward to an upcoming Thrift Swap, which will be hosted on Monday, April 7 on the Kirkhof Lawn. During this time, students can bring items to donate and receive other clothing items in exchange. The event will also serve to promote the organization to prospective members.
“You can bring any clothes or accessories you no longer need or want and swap them out with something else,” Ward said. “We have implemented a system where each clothing item is worth a certain number of tickets. For every item you bring, you will receive tickets and use your tickets like money.”
Ward said any clothing or accessories left over will be donated.
By aiming to advocate for human rights in an approachable way, Voices for Justice attempts to reach a wider audience and spread a message of humanity, equity and solidarity. Imparting such values can help raise awareness of local and global issues that affect many individuals, including students, on a daily basis.
