Justice Makers make the world a better place
Earlier this year, eight youth from the Unitarian Congregation of Saskatoon graduated from the church’s first Justice Makers program.
The program was created to engage the congregation’s 10 to 12-year-olds, says Rev. Karen Fraser Gitlitz, “We felt that age group was ready for something more exciting, and initiated conversations with parents and the Children’s Religious Education Committee to talk about where the kids are at developmentally. We wanted to offer something where they could learn about who they are in the world and have opportunity to meet and interact with new people.”
There was also an information night where the children were asked what one thing in the world they would change if they could, and what superhero they’d want to be to make the change happen. Racism — something they’ve witnessed in the world and at school — was one thing mentioned, along with a strong interest in social and environmental justice, and sensitivity to the planet.
Fraser Gitlitz and three other adult advisers came up with a hands-on Justice Makers program where they laid out the criteria, then let the youth come up with the idea, the plan, and how to carry it out. The result was a project with several parts.
“In the first part, the eight youth were introduced to eight adult mentors with whom they would do activities, then reflect on them. The youth were required to conduct filmed interviews with their mentors. Retired TV host and a member of our congregation, Carole Blenkin, gave them tips on interviewing, and Molly Smith, a local filmmaker, came in to film. We had a viewing and feedback evening combined with a sleepover in the church. Several children said that was a highlight.”
The second part of the project involved working with animals at the SPCA. The youth braided dog toys from rags they collected. The toys were many different sizes to fit SPCA needs.
“They delivered three big bags of dog toys,” Fraser Gitlitz says, “along with cat litter and dog food they’d collected. We all had a fun day playing with the animals at the shelter.
“We considered this a social justice issue since the animals at the SPCA are there because of problems humans are creating by abandoning them or not being responsible with their pets.”
The third aspect of the project was environmental. After discussing issues around loss of habitat, especially for small animals, the children chose to participate in the Meewasin Valley Plant-A-Tree program.
They raised money to buy shrubs for the planta-tree program through a bake sale and the sale of wildflower seeds. The seeds, which came from Blazing Star Wildflower Seed Company, were a good choice because the Unitarian congregation is in the process of becoming a green sanctuary.
The baking and seed sale was held at the church on International Women’s Day following a special service which drew more than the usual number of people.
“The children were amazing salespeople,” Fraser Gitlitz says. “All together, they raised $256 for the project and were able to pay for five shrubs plus some grassroots to create a habitat area. They didn’t do the planting, but will be part of a celebration at Meewasin Valley on June 17.”
A graduation for the Justice Makers group was held during the Unitarian gathering on March 22 at which each graduate spoke about their experiences in the program and about their developing values and hopes.
Says Fraser Gitlitz, “These thoughtful young people will now form the core of a Junior Youth Group this fall. They’re already looking forward to working on a different project with Meewasin Valley Authority.”
Reflecting the Unitarian Universalist principles and framework for congregations to proclaim and live out their commitment to Earth, the Saskatoon Unitarian Congregation is working toward certification as a Green Sanctuary. The congregation began pursuing candidacy in 2012 by becoming more sustainable.
“We had an energy audit done, and as a result, changed all our light bulbs to LED, added insulation to the building where it was needed, and began moving away from paper bulletins,” Fraser Gitlitz says. “Now we’re focusing on the land outside our building. Last fall, 17 congregation members dug up the grass on the east side of church to create a vegetable and herb garden. We put in gravel swales to collect water, drain spout barrels, and a lot of mulch.”
Fraser Gitlitz credits Lisa Hawse and the Permaculture Research Institute of Saskatchewan for help in designing the garden.
She says the crops raised will be offered to people in the neighbourhood or the Foodbank.
“A shed behind the church will be moved and a flower garden planted there to encourage butterflies and insects. The kids will be involved with that.”
The Unitarian Centre is located at 213 Second Street East.
“ALL TOGETHER, THEY RAISED $256 FOR THE PROJECT AND WERE ABLE TO PAY FOR FIVE SHRUBS PLUS SOME GRASSROOTS TO CREATE A HABITAT AREA.”
FRASER GITLITZ