What does it mean to impactfully achieve racial justice in suburban communities?
What really is the “work” of engaging in anti-racism in predominantly White contexts?
Introduction
The Network for Social Justice is a nonprofit organization with over 30 years experience in community education, engagement and organizing, as well as a proven success record of supporting and elevating anti-racist practice in suburban communities.
Whether you seek change in your organization, place of work or worship, or your community as a whole, we will partner with you to find the best approach to advance your social and racial justice. The expertise that we offer draws on our years of experience in anti-racism community organizing in a predominantly White suburbs, as well as a diverse cadre of guest facilitators. In all of our consulting, we work in partnership with a number of co-facilitators (in most cases creating inter-racial pairs of facilitators) and will work with you to choose the appropriate person for your organization’s needs.
As a community-based nonprofit, our consulting revenue is channeled to sustain the work we do in Winchester and in towns and constituencies beyond it.
Testimonials
“The opportunity to participate in a community workshop to build racial equity provided our team with the validation that this is important and doable. All of the conversations in various forms helped move our organization’s work forward so it WILL become a reality. Thank you for your support.”
-Participant of CHNA-15 Disrupting Racism Learning Symposium 2021
“This summer, the NFSJ organized curriculum on disrupting racism geared towards an art organization. For our museum, we feel that inclusion is central to our sustainability and that systemic change is vital for our long term. The training that NFSJ provided for both our Board and staff began with group and one-on-one discussions, situational examples of racism and definitions, resources for future research, and a framework with priorities for building programs and exhibitions that consider diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion through our mission. What a positive experience it was for all of us.
-Paula Tognarelli, Executive Director & Curator, Griffin Museum of Photography
Trainings & Workshops
Our three signature educational trainings and workshops can be tailored specifically for your audience or organization. We hand-pick relevant case studies, resources, and materials to best address the needs of our clients. All trainings and workshops can be offered virtually or in-person, though Community Facilitation is best in person.
This 3 part workshop leads participants in discussing the foundations of race and racism and working towards the practice of anti-racism. It can be tailored for the specific needs of different teams, organizations, community groups or businesses by adding content wrapped around situation specific case studies, grounded roleplays and historical context.
Your investment includes a pre-workshop assessment and introductory consultation (2 hrs), three 2-hour sessions (6 hrs), as well as office hours between sessions and post-workshop evaluation (4hrs).
This 4 part learning series is designed to engage a cohort of youth (age 13-19) in the theory and practice of organizing for social and racial justice, and provides a built-in opportunity for participants to engage in grounded hands-on organizing by designing their own campaign. Workshops focus on tools and skills for community organizing, which are informed by the theory of social movements and political change processes.
Your investment includes a pre-workshop assessment and introductory consultation (2 hrs), four 2-hour sessions (8 hrs), office hours between sessions, and post-workshop evaluation (4hrs).
*Ideal for youth in upper middle and high school, faith groups and nonprofits
Our signature NFSJ workshop series, two full day workshops (8 hrs each) focus on the elements of community facilitation, moving participants through the theory of practice of facilitation. Content covers basic practical tips for managing a discussion, to troubleshooting more complex dynamics based on addressing trauma, inter-personal conflict and race. These workshops can be tailored to your organization, institution or business through including content wrapped around case studies, grounded roleplays and historical context.
Your investment includes a pre-workshop assessment and introductory consultation (2 hrs), full day sessions (8hrs which can be done in 2 half day sessions), as well as office hours between sessions and post-workshop evaluation (4hrs).
One on One Consultation
Our consulting is informed by our mission and over 30 years of community activation in the suburbs. We work collaboratively with our clients virtually or in person to unpack your particular challenges, and focus on targeted steps for problem-solving.
Areas include:
- Supporting you to develop a race equity assessment
- Imagining and developing racial justice initiatives which target community needs, fit your capacity and are sustainable
- Exploring the diversification of your organization- from staff, to volunteers to participants
- Building a strong culture of equity within your organization, business or town
- Understanding and measuring the impact of your racial equity practices through evaluation
Our consulting can be one on one or with a small group. We offer initial 1 hour consultations, from which we will report back to you with a work plan tailored to your needs.
Past Clients
learn more
Please find our informational brochure here. If you are interested in learning more about advancing racial equity in your organization, please fill out this short form and our staff will be in touch soon.