News Post

A group of students accompanied Director of Christian Service Anasofia Gutierrez to the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in November, gathering with high school and college students from across the country here in Washington, DC to spend three days diving into issues they care about and advocating for change.

"At the Teach-In, I was able to connect topics we read about in class this year with important social justice movements, such as gang intervention, anti-hunger, and the death penalty. It was exciting to join high school and college students from across the country to work together to push for changes in the world on important topics," said Adele '27.

Students heard from keynote Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries and author of Tattoos on the Heart, an important experience to many of the group. They also heard from several high school students, college students, and advocates working against injustice.

"My biggest takeaways from Father Boyle’s talk were his humility as he spoke on his successful business and charitable works and his ability to communicate the ease of maintaining compassion and kinship by simply meeting people where they are at. Father Boyle tells us to meet others at the margins and expand the circle of kinship so all may be able to experience each other's goodness," said Maxwell '27.

"What stuck out most to me from my experience was hearing the perspectives of how kids my age pressed on and led—especially Lucas Bujosa [from Regis High School] and the importance of service for and alongside those in need, and truly understanding your service and who you’re serving," said Tselot '28.

"I think students realized that their voice matters and that they deserve to be heard. Over the three days, they were constantly praising students their age who had the courage to get up on stage and tell their stories; I think it made them realize that they can do it too," said Ms. Gutierrez. "Seeing their peers take on positions of power and advocacy showed them that their stories are worth telling; it helped them visualize themselves as changemakers." 

On the last day, students gathered for a prayer and rally on Capitol Hill before heading off to visit their representatives' offices, leaving letters with their thoughts, and meeting with staff members. Visitation met with Congressman Don Beyer's staff to share their thoughts.

"Our group was able to meet with Congressman Beyer’s office to discuss our concerns about issues such as affordable health care, immigration, and combating gun violence," said Adele. "This experience helped me understand that everyone, even high school students, has a voice with our elected representatives and that we can make a difference by raising our concerns."

"The full experience taught me to remain confident in what I choose to believe in and stand for as a Catholic," said Maxwell. "In the future, I hope to remain optimistic, confident, and compassionate towards solving injustice around the world."

Tselot noted, "What I learned from the full experience was how important it is to work with a community for their needs, how to connect and advocate for others, and more about the issues I am passionate about—I plan on applying this in the future with other opportunities to work to solve these issues, advocate for solutions, and meet with leaders in my community and beyond in the future."