Social Justice

Providing Justice Through a Safe Space: Mental Health Association of South Mississippi

Alexis Soukup

Currently, there is a stigma against those with a mental illness. And this is unfortunate, because after spending four hours at MHA it was clear that people with a mental illness were just like us in every single way. As a group, we were a little weary about this part of our service trip. None of us had much experience working with those who had a mental illness, and what to say or not say concerned us a little bit. When we got there they told us to go in and just talk to them. Cautiously, we went in, and cautiously they looked back at us. Within moments though, there was laughter and shouting and probably the most fun we had while on our service trip.

We didn't clean their facility, or teach a memorable concept, or donate a large sum of money. All we did was talk with them and it made such an impact on both ourselves and them. That's when I learned that service isn't always traditional and is more about a feeling. MHA has a drop in center where they provide food, games, and relationships with similar people. They also serve meals to the homeless, and have a housing program for people learning to get back on their feet. Although we mostly worked with those that came in through the drop in center, the opportunities that MHA provided for the homeless or those with mental illness was astounding. They learned communication skills, had a place they were wanted, they felt welcome. And that alone was just the beginning in fair opportunities for those with mental illness since they currently aren't welcomed in that light.

What the MHA is doing, and has done since 1963, is making an impact on a community that has nowhere else to go and is creating a safe space where love and happiness flows. Providing structure and communication helps them progress through life and opens doors for them they may not have anticipated. In the future, I hope to go back to MHA and just speak with their members again because they are always welcome in my heart.

The Key to Future Success and Fair Opportunity: The Boys and Girls Club

Kyle Scheer

When visiting the Boys and Girls Club, it was apparent to our team there were three primary benefits that they provided: a safe environment, role models, and a place to learn and grow. Access to a safe environment is key for a successful childhood. Too often, students don't have a place to go after school or during the summer, and instead wind up with a lot of time on their hands, which can lead to them attempting all types of shenanigans that get them in trouble. The privilege within society to have that safe environment is key when determining future success.

The Boys and Girls Club is a place for the to go that can keep them away from those influences. During our time at the Boys and Girls Club we had a chance to speak to the students about our time in college, and with the adult leaders about their experiences as well. Interacting with both showed us just how much the adult leaders were role models to the students. It is incredibly important for students to have those role models to provide the example of how to be a productive, caring, and responsible citizen.

When we were at the Boys and Girls Club, part of the day was spent helping students with their homework. It was clear that they prioritized education and instilling values into the students. The focus on personal growth is so essential to student success. The opportunity to have these learning spaces isn't available for everyone.

The Boys and Girls Club works to provide these students with opportunities and privileges not initially distributed to them by society.

Early Head Start, Fair Education at an Early Age: Moore Community House

Alexis Soukup

The Moore Community House provides so many opportunities for women and children. When we visited we worked with the children in their Early Head Start program. This allowed parents, often single, to go to work and school to further their career at an affordable cost. Not only did parents benefit, but these children were some of the most advanced three year old kids I had ever met. They could hold conversations, explain their needs, identify colors, count and complete the alphabet. This program works with newborns to children of three years of age. The two teachers per classroom stay with the child from beginning to end to maintain a strong bond. And with a classroom of only eight kids, they received the attention they needed to excel. At lunch time they were encouraged to try new vegetables before getting seconds and learning to have polite table manners. Seeing how this program set up single parents and their children onto the road to success through opportunities at such an early stage was incredible.

The organization also carries out another program called Women in Construction. We didn't interact with this program very much, but it was glossed over in our introduction at the House. Women in Construction helps single mothers train and get placed in a job where they can provide for their families. This program is great for providing fair opportunity and work to meet financial goals.

The Moore Community House provides social justice for women and children through multiple facets, making them one of the best experiences I had while in Biloxi. In the future, I hope to learn more about my community and the social justice opportunities they do or don't provide for women and children.

Meal Accessibility and Opportunity: Loaves and Fishes

Gongheng Hu

Loaves and Fishes is a soup kitchen that offers two meals per fay, connecting with other needed social services. The focused people are mainly low income and homeless people. They have been feeding the hungry since 1983 with the help of community volunteers working, donating food, or contributing funds. Loaves and Fishes feeds about 6,000 meals a month in their facilities or through additional programs of Martha's Meals (home-bound), 3rd Meal Bags and Community Give-Aways, as well as in emergency shelters.

Social justice is one of the tags explained by the Loaves and Fishes. In the Loaves and Fishes, we treat each other with respect, there is also a sign which says, "Never look down on anybody, unless you are helping him up." For the working place, there is small but dedicated staff working with alternating volunteers. I cannot imagine how busy it would be without volunteers to prepare meals and offering food to that many people. I also helped them transfer a box of food from their car to the kitchen room. It is heavy, but it is fulfilling with love. Even though so many people show their love and peace, there still was a woman who complained about the food, life and everything. Humans are very complex and contradictory. We can be the crowd of seven virtues, we can also be the crowd virtues. It is important for society to become a justice society and build a right sense of worth. In the list coming people needed to sign, there are a great deal of names which in on side shows the efficiency, powerful of the place, while it is also implied there are many people living in a low standard of life.

In my opinion, the final step for social justice is everyone being treated as the same, based on the distribution of wealth, opportunities of activities, and social privileges. I have no idea what kind of social justice we can achieve, at least we made our best to getting close to the final goal.