Students trained as social justices advocates

DAINA HAVENS STAFF WRITER DMH724@CABRINI.EDU

Four Cabrini students along with 26 other area students were trained as social justice advocates by Catholic Relief Services, the second largest American international relief and development agency. From Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, these students learned how to both actively aid the community and bring awareness of global issues home to Cabrini'fs campus.

Nominated by faculty members for their enthusiastic participation in campus and community activities, these four students were given the opportunity to recieve this training and the encouragement to continue their good works.

Senior education majors, Jacquelyn Flick and Lisa Defino, along with senior sociology/criminal justice major Deidre Beadle, have all focused their advocacy training toward the improvement of inner-city education, while junior English and communication major Meghan Hurley has concentrated on the issues of immigration and poverty. Each student believes that the core meaning of their training lies within volunteer work, service and sharing the knowledge that they have gained. The four women find meaning in a quotation made by Chris West, a CRS training facilitator. West said, "We become frustrated and it is a challenge to get others interested in these important issues because we dream with our eyes open."

"Everybody had so much passion .it was amazing," Hurley added when commenting on the complete experience of the training. Passion for their cause is also what the four students contributed to this experience, and that can be seen clearly in all of their previous passionate engagements. "I learned useful strategies to evoke change and bring my contributions to the next level," Defino said.

Beadle said, "This experience was both rewarding and enlightening. I am now absolutely certain that I will devote my life and career serving marginalized populations. I was empowered by the entire experience the students, the interactive activities and the visions of change that was present throughout this unforgettable advocacy retreat."

From left, Meghan their enthusiastic participation in campus and community activities. Bringing it to the next level involves taking action, which is exactly what they have done. Beadle has been involved with the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society and the sociology/criminal justice club. Hurley has led the hunger/homelessness campaign, helped with Norristown week and is leading spring 2005 Project Appalachia. Flick and Defino have worked together by tutoring at a bilingual inner-city grade school, teaching science at Cabrini's Norristown project and have helped with activities involving the Big-Brother B'igSister Foundation. The students hope that their purpose to inspire is reflected through the achievements.

With this training, these students plan to further research their chosen issues, and continuously gain the knowledge necessary to alleviate these problems from society. They also plan to share what they have learned with the community and speak out for public awareness and for the common good.

"What I gained most of all is hope, especially with recent world events. There are college students out there making a difference. That keeps me motivated to continue on this path," Flick said. These four students are calling out for others to stop dreaming with their eyes open, wake up, and make a change!

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