“Learning to move in concert.” Paid work with Philly Justice Orgs; Professional Development and Social Movement Training through PJEF

Students in this year’s PJEF cohort are engaging with a range of work—from migration justice, and support of diasporic communities to promoting ethical, community-controlled development, and working to end Death-by-Incarceration in Pennsylvania prisons. 

Throughout the fall semester, PJEF fellows were able to connect with a variety of community partners and special guests, culminating in a networking evening last December at the Friends Center in Philadelphia. The evening brought together PJEFs, representatives from PJEF partner organizations, as well as a network of alumni.

Community organizer and social service worker Andres Celin ‘11, served as the anchor speaker for the evening. Celin encouraged PJEF students to think about ‘networking’ expansively. Networking can be challenging, especially if it feels like it is being done for selfish reasons, but it doesn’t have to be so self centered, he said. “Impact networking” is a way of calling on the richness of connections between members of a broader community toward purposes that serve that community. 

“As I started doing community work, what I realized was that what a lot of people call networking, for me became ‘impact networking,’ or meeting people for the sake of better providing services to the families and communities and students that we were working with,” said Celin. “So if I go out and talk to someone, if I'm advocating for myself, that feels uncomfortable for me, but if I'm learning more about what that person is doing, and figuring out how their services can support my community, how we can build ecosystems of organizations—that to me made sense.”

CPGC Executive Director Eric Hartman and Associate Director Janice Lion were particularly excited that a new source of funding enabled a vision for fomenting sustainable networks of partners engaged in important justice work locally through the PJEF opportunity. Lion advises PJEFs directly throughout their work, and orchestrates the many players and events involved in the partnership, including the December networking evening. 

“Bringing students together with experienced practitioners in a variety of social movement roles is one of the most joyful aspects of my work,” Lion said.  “Facilitating experiential learning and building community from the knowledgeable, effective, and passionate individuals committed to justice and equity is the key to the success of this program. Beyond alumni and friends, our network includes folks at our local partner organizations who guide and mentor Fellows, providing meaningful professional development while enabling students to contribute.”

Participating students were particularly struck by the many intricate connections weaved between a variety of different individuals and organizations present at the event. Ahlam Houssein ‘24,  recalled the opportunity to participate in the themed small-group discussions with representatives from several distinct organizations.

“Everyone came together and, with some guidance from the program coordinators, got to know one another through social exercises and both one-on-one and collaborative discussions,” Houssein observed. “I especially enjoyed speaking with Dr. Nimisha Ladva and several other new friends at my table about immigration policy and the challenges of navigating citizenship in the modern legal landscape.”

Previous events included on and off- campus opportunities for students to meet and learn alongside those engaged in various segments of the social sector. One example was a roundtable dinner discussion hosting two experienced guests from the world of electoral politics and civics--Cynthia Richie Terrell and Brandon West ‘07. 

Terrell, the Fall 2022 Haverford college Friend in Residence, is the co-founder of FairVote, a non partisan organization working for a fairer and more functional electoral system,  and founder/ Executive Director of Represent Women, an organization dedicated to the idea that a healthier democracy depends on more gender equity in elected and appointed government positions. West is a New-York based organizer and recent 39th Council District Candidate who has also worked extensively on elections and union organizing. Both invited students to grapple with the future of engaging with American democracy and how to approach complex political organizing work. 

PJEF Fellows had the opportunity to introduce their work as interns with Philadelphia-based organizations. Students fell into conversation around the complex processes of building coalitions for effective social change - whether it’s happening in their own home communities, school life, or through a professional experiential connection. The discussion delved into what in West’s words is learning to “move in concert with a lot of people.” Meanwhile, Terrell offered stories connecting the dots of her career trajectory back to times as a Swarthmore student activist against apartheid. 

Each PJEF student devotes about 10 hours per week to their PJEF role, which varies according to organizations’ needs. 

Ellie Baron ‘25 has focused on abolitionist work not only in Philly but also in Scranton, Pennsylvania, following up on the ongoing “Solidarity not Solitary” campaign. Working first from a CPGC Summer internship and then into the fall and winter with PJEF, she has been able to support the Abolitionist Law Center’s efforts to raise public awareness about the Pennsylvania carceral practice of life without parole sentencing —what is known in many circles as “death by incarceration.” 

“ALC is working to increase opportunities for parole, particularly for lifers, older folks, and incarcerated people with medical challenges,” Baron said. “I’m working on setting up meetings with legislators in the PA State House about this through the Free Our People coalition, a group of organizations across the state fighting death by incarceration. Pennsylvania has the second-largest number of people serving death by incarceration in the country.” As a sociology major, this work animates and complicates Baron’s understanding of public policy and government. Baron has remained deeply involved with the Abolitionist Law Center and partner organizations through her work supported by PJEF, and tapped into other avenues fighting for social justice on campus. 

Other PJEF fellows reflect on the opportunity of being able to deepen their understanding of their placement organization's mission while participating in various aspects of organizational programming. 

Houssein, who is majoring in neuroscience with a minor in health studies, continues work with the African Family Health Organization (AFAHO). “Throughout [the fall] semester, I worked with both the educational and social services departments at AFAHO to deliver tutoring support for the African Youth Empowerment Program and produce media to advertise public health or program announcements for AFAHO's clients,” Houssein said.  

She continued, “As a PJEF Fellow, I could both see and participate in the various events AFAHO plans in the duration of the academic year (as it pertains to its education division) and overall throughout the year (for example, clinic sessions conducted in partnership with nearby medical institutions, legal advisory visits for those who may have questions about citizenship, etc.).”

Students interested in exploring how their skills and interests could translate into a PJEF opportunity during the next semester or academic year should consider connecting with Janice Lion at the Center.

                                                                                                                                                                                            — Naren Roy '23