That’s a wrap on the 2021 Students for Economic Justice (SEJ) Program!
Thank you to everyone who joined us last week to celebrate this year’s SEJ cohort.
We are so proud of this year’s fellows. Over the course of 6 weeks, fellows spent 8 training days with CPI deepening their knowledge about economic justice and labor, honed in on their organizing skills with trainings on topics from power mapping to campaign planning, spent 3-4 days a week at their site getting first-hand experience working on an organizing campaign, and learned from many labor and community organizers. We are so thankful for the opportunity to work with this cohort and learn from them over the past six weeks.
We also want to acknowledge everyone that has helped make this year’s SEJ program possible, but especially our SEJ Coordinator, Ana Laura Martinez. As an organization, we are proud that SEJ embodies our commitment to social justice by centering organizers of color and organizers from working-class backgrounds, and our commitment to economic justice by offering a paid internship. The SEJ program is a labor of love that involves the support of the CPI staff and board, the SEJ Advisory Board, and a ton of amazing community partners, sponsors, and donors.
In addition to our internal team, we want to thank and recognize the following:
SEJ advisory board members who have been fundamental to fundraising, with outreach of students and sites, and building through the curriculum:
- Anabel Arauz, IBEW 465
- Bernadette Butkiewicz (SEJ ’14), San Diego Gas & Electric
- Cheryl Coney, California Teachers Association
- Gloria Cruz, County of San Diego
- Jim Miller, AFT Local 1931 / City College
- Jose Rodriguez (SEJ ’11, National City
- Kelly Mayhew, AFT Local 1931 / City College
- Kim Moore, United Domestic Workers
- Nancy Cruz (SEJ ’12, Environmental Health Coalition
- Neal Ortiguerra, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest
- Paul (Khalid) Alexander, Pillars of the Community
SEJ program sponsors whose direct support helps cover the SEJ fellows’ wages, training materials, travel costs, and tech needs for virtual learning:
- AFT Guild Local 1931
- California Teachers Association
- IBEW Local 569
- San Diego Education Association
- SDG&E
- UA Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 230
- SoCal Pipe Trades
- United Domestic Workers
- Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest
The foundations and the monthly and individual donors who provide general support to the Center on Policy Initiatives!
- Marguerite Casey Foundation
- Satterberg Foundation
- The California Endowment
- The California Wellness Foundation
- Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock
This year’s site partners for hosting a fellow and providing the with hands-on organizing experience:
- Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE)
- California Teachers Association
- Center on Policy Initiatives
- IATSE Local 122
- Majdal Center
- Mid-City CAN
- Pillars of the Community
- San Diego 350
We end this year’s SEJ program with hearts full of gratitude. Thank you!
If you’d like to help support the next generation of social justice leaders in San Diego and sustain the SEJ program, please consider making a donation at: cpisandiego.org/sej/donate. Sign up for email updates to be the first to know when SEJ 2022 is in the works!
