Social Justice: University, Community + AJCU Resources

"Titan Equity Nourish Network (TENN) at University of Detroit Mercy fosters student and community collaboration for a more food sovereign Detroit. TENN provides students with real opportunities to apply things they learn in the classroom as they design and lead programs that promote equity and sustainability in the food system. As part of the Institute for Leadership and Service, TENN student leaders coordinate multiple service opportunities each week that reduce the immediate effects and systemic causes of hunger and food waste."

"... dedicated to building kid success families and neighborhoods where families with children 0-8 have what they need to be school ready, healthy and stable... providing proven programming and support year round out of Brilliant Detroit homes in high-need neighborhoods".

"Inspired by the life and spirit of St. Francis of Assisi," the CSK's mission is to:"tend to people's basic needs, especially the need for food; strive to stimulate minds and nourish spirits, and work to understand and address root causes of social injustice in our community."

"The Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) is a multi-disciplinary, nonprofit architecture and urban design firm at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture dedicated to creating sustainable spaces and communities through quality design and the collaborative process...Since 1994, the DCDC has worked with over 100 Detroit nonprofit organizations, community groups, and philanthropic foundations towards fulfilling its mission."

"Recognizing the dignity and beauty of every person, we pledge intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, poverty and injustice. And to build a metropolitan community where all people may live in freedom, harmony, trust and affection. Black and white, yellow, brown and red from Detroit and its suburbs of every economic status, national origin and religious persuasion we join in this covenant."

"Live6 Alliance is a nonprofit planning and development organization that has a mission to enhance quality of life and economic opportunity in Northwest Detroit. The organization acts as a conduit between the institutions and their surrounding communities, with a particular focus on the McNichols and Livernois corridors."

From St. Peter's Episcopal Church Ministries. Projects include Manna Community Garden, Manna Community Meal, the Peace and Justice Hive, Corner Shower Laundry, and MannaWorks Clay Studio.

"MEP's mission is to provide educational opportunities, life skills development and cultural enrichment for women and girls who have limited access to resources to enable them to improve the quality of their lives."

"NSO’s empowering programs and services provide assistance for: older adults with mental illness; children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities; year-round youth workforce development for youth; homeless recovery services; housing development; community outreach for psychiatric emergencies; call hotline for emergency shelter and housing resources in Detroit; and volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups,
and organizations."

"...the Pope Francis Center provides vital services to the city’s homeless."

"ReBUILDetroit (Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity) is an NIH-funded undergraduate program to increase the number of underrepresented students on their pathway to become scientific researchers. The consortium of University of Detroit Mercy and Wayne State University form the ReBUILDetroit Project to fuel the academic renaissance of Detroit by establishing it as the center for biomedical research training for underrepresented undergraduate students. The consortium was awarded a major grant to implement and study innovative approaches to engaging and retaining students from diverse backgrounds in biomedical research."

"Rx for Reading is a non-profit children’s literacy initiative sponsored by the University of Detroit Mercy. Our mission is to expand access to high-quality children’s books and support families in reading with their children. Since 2014 we have distributed over 2,500 children’s books a month with the help of our community partners, including low-income health, dental and WIC clinics, homeless shelters, Head Start programs, community centers, churches, and local schools."

Migration and Refugee Research Directory – AJCU maintains an open database of migration and refugee researchers at Jesuit institutions, including several at University of Detroit Mercy. The site brings together research on migration, displacement, and refugees from a wide variety of perspectives, as well as listings of related centers and institutes, advocacy and education, direct service, academic programs and publications.

"Founded in 2021, the Gonzaga Center for Climate, Society, and the Environment provides resources and opportunities to students, faculty, community members, and leaders in the inland northwest to meet the unprecedented challenges facing humanity and the wider natural environment in the 21st century."

From Georgetown University.

"The Jesuit Social Research Institute works to transform the Gulf South through action research, analysis, education, and advocacy on the core issues of poverty, race, and migration. The Institute is a collaboration of Loyola University New Orleans and the Society of Jesus rooted in the faith that does justice."

The goals of this project are to:
"Listen to and learn from descendants in shaping a path forward to address the Jesuits’ participation in the sin of slaveholding and its legacies of racism that endure today."
"Research the lived experiences of people held in slavery by the Jesuits, and connect with their descendants to share what we know and to learn from their knowledge."
"Communicate this history and our efforts more broadly in collaboration with descendants and the general public."