So Cool So Just Organization Fair

Direct Service Pathway:

Addressing immediate individual or community needs through direct interaction

Below is a list of campus organizations departments that identify with the direct service pathway. Select the arrow next to the organizations name in order to view their description, contact information, website, and other materials. On the day of the fair, click the "drop in here" link in order to visit the organization for an open information session.

BFB Festifall 2020.mov

Books For a Benefit

Student Organization

At Books for a Benefit (BFB), our mission is twofold: 1) to promote a life-long appreciation for reading and intellectual exploration amongst students in Southeastern Michigan, and 2) to address community-identified barriers to accessibility of literacy resources in order to support equitable opportunities in education and empower communities through service. We do this by providing literacy resources to students and families across southeastern Michigan such as children’s books and school supplies, and by building welcoming spaces (libraries) where books can be enjoyed and homework can be completed. Books for a Benefit seeks to establish a safe, comfortable, and accessible space wherein education can be supported.

Social Justice Focus Areas: Human Rights, Racial Justice, Diversity
Organization Contact info: lalawieh@umich.edu

CEW+

University Department

CEW+ empowers women and underserved individuals in the University of Michigan and surrounding communities by serving as an advocate and providing resources to help them reach their academic, financial, and professional potential. CEW+ provides immediate, ongoing services and the financial support needed to ensure educational success and degree completion. Women and nontraditional students are CEW+’s primary constituency, but all students are welcome. CEW+ also serves those who encounter education and career obstacles based on their non-linear paths to, and experiences within, the University community.

Social Justice Focus Areas Gender Equality, Diversity
Organization Contact info: sarahpr@umich.edu
Visit Department Website Here

UMich Food Recovery Network Introduction.mp4

Food Recovery Network

Student Organization

Food Recovery Network is a national nonprofit that unites students at colleges and universities to fight food waste and hunger by recovering perishable food that would otherwise go to waste from their campus dining halls and donating it to those in need. Our goal is to change the norm from food waste to food recovery in the United States. At U-M, we work with partners such as M-Dining, the Maize & Blue Cupboard, M-Catering, Food Gatherers, and others to establish long-term sustainable infrastructure on campus while also meeting the food redistribution needs of the everyday.

Social Justice Focus Areas: Environmental Justice & Sustainability, Human Rights
Organization Contact info: popowics@umich.edu
Visit Organization Website Here

Michigan Active Citizens: Alternative Spring Break (MAC-ASB)

Student Organization

The purpose of Michigan Active Citizens: Alternative Spring Break is to engage U of M students in service-learning during spring break, as well as prepare them for entering and exiting a new community by learning about a social justice issue throughout the year. Some of our goals include empowering our site leaders to organize their individual trips, building connections with community partners, and spreading the importance of social justice on campus by sharing experiences. This year we are undergoing a transition by adding Michigan Active Citizen in our name. We hope to convey that the ASB experience can cultivate a community of people who are actively engaged in promoting positive social change in their communities for the rest of their lives.

Social Justice Focus Areas: Racial Justice, Human Rights, Health & Wellness
Organization Contact info: mac-communications@umich.edu
Visit Organization Website Here

Michigan Animal Respect Society

Student Organization

Here at MARS we really try to capitalize on the scope of animal and environmental issues addressed through group activism. Therefore, the campaigns we involve ourselves in go beyond concern for cats and dogs; we view the systems of animal abuse as something interconnected with other spheres of oppression, so our focus spans from the brutal conditions of farmed animals to the consequent exploitation of farm workers. To work towards ending these abuses, we partner with international nonprofits like the Humane League (THL) as well as other student organizations with similar alignments like UMSFP.

Social Justice Focus Areas Environment/ Sustainability and Food Justice
Organization Contact info Shannon Zheng, szhengm@umich.edu
Visit Program Website Here

MUSIC Matters

Student Organization

MUSIC Matters defines "social justice" as a paramount goal that we are actively working towards. With a huge and diverse membership base, we recognize our power and ability to help our community reach this goal. We take this responsibility seriously by staying focused on empowering marginalized populations, raising money for justice causes, and adhering to our DEI values. When applying the term "social justice" in our org, we often start with two key concepts: education and empathy. For the past few years, our Social Ventures team has championed education as a primary initiative. Our annual program MOvE (Michigan Overnight Experience) is a camp-style event for high schoolers to learn about the college application process and undergrad lifestyle. Over the course of the camp, highschoolers hear from University administration and insightful students on how to progress their education. Our goal with MOvE is to encourage and educate students on the importance of education, which is fundamental in the path to social justice.

Social Justice Focus Areas: Racial Justice, Environmental Justice & Sustainability,
Organization Contact info: gillianw@umich.edu
Visit Organization Website Here

Student Advocates for Nutrition

Student Organization

Student Advocates for Nutrition (SAN) is focused on bringing its members volunteer and community service opportunities, as well as practice advocating for nutrition legislation through things like letter writing workshops to senators. This year, we will focus on food insecurity on college campuses, as it is such a pertinent issue given the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social Justice Focus Areas: Human Rights, Racial Justice, Diversity
Organization Contact info: megdawn@umich.edu

Students Helping Honduras

Student Organization

Students Helping Honduras' mission is to alleviate gang violence and poverty in Honduras through education and youth empowerment. For the upcoming school year, our chapter of SHH will focus on raising money to support our home-base community in Honduras through Covid-19. Specifically, the funds we raise will go towards providing food, electricity, water, and care to the children in the Villa Soleada Children's Home, as well as the greater Villa Soleada community.

Social Justice Focus Areas: Human Rights, Global Justice, Economic Justice
Organization Contact info: umichshh@gmail.com
Visit Organization Website Here