Ignatian Solidarity Network

I first heard of ISN in 2010 when I attended my first IFTJ. Since that time, I have participated in almost every program and am amazed at how dedicated the staff are to growing this ignatian justice-rooted family. Their work is very grassroots and keeps us rooted in our faith, in a way that many justice organizations aren't able to capture in the same way. I have attended countless teach in, regional gatherings, and even led spaces for the network. Not only has my personal growth been impacted by this organization, but also my spiritual and professional growth has been impacted. Thank you, ISN!

I first got connected with the Ignatian Solidarity Network in 2013 when I attended their Ignatian Justice Summit for college students. There, I was introduced to social justice work through a Jesuit lens, networked with fellow student leaders, and was empowered to become an agent of change on my campus. In the ten years since then, I have continued to come back to ISN through my work at three different Jesuit universities. While bringing a cohort of students to the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice remains one of my favorite parts about my job, I also find myself going back to the various programs and online resources that ISN has to offer. ISN has played a fundamental role in helping me develop into the Campus Minister I am today. The staff is accessible, knowledgeable and personable- being connected to ISN makes you a part of a genuine community.

I met ISN through attending their Teach-In as well as a leaders summit the summer after my first year of college. ISN provided me opportunities as a college student to learn more about the world around me and how to better serve my community and opened me up to opportunities to grow in work through a multi-year internship. I was able to learn tangible skills to take with me beyond my college years, but more importantly, through my time in the office, I was able to see the behind-the-scenes of the work this team and how much effort they put in to teach the next generations passion for justice as well. They have always done such inspiring work and continue to do so each and every day.

I have loved working with ISN throughout the years. Taking students to the Ignatian Family Teach-In creates amazing community, builds leadership skills, and connects the Jesuit network. Even more than that, I have work with ISN to bring a speaker to the high school I work at for our Social Justice Week. They empowered students to think about climate change, the Ignatian tradition, and the call to action in community organizing. They were one of the favorite speakers from students and faculty alike from the week!

ISN has been such an important part of my own journey of figuring out what authentic integration of faith and justice could and should look like. Now, in my own role as an educator and campus minister, I always look to ISN as a trusted source of resources for my students' personal and professional development. It's been a gift to work with this talented staff over the past 10+ years.

ISN has been such an incredible source of inspiration for me, my colleagues, and my students. Over the course of the last 16 years I have had the privilege of bringing many student groups to ISN programs (including the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice and the Arrupe Leaders Summit), and witnessed the ways that ISN helps them discover and deepen their passion for faith and justice, creating commitments that last far beyond a single weekend. Personally, my involvement with ISN has been a great source of hope for me as I try to live out my own commitment to faith and justice. The staff are dedicated, creative, thoughtful, and compassionate, and that shows in the incredible work that they do.

From hosting an annual Teach-In in DC that focuses on various social justice topics that teaches my students about advocacy, to providing a series of Lenten reflections that come straight to my inbox, the Ignatian Solidarity Network is my go-to social justice hub and space for networking. I am so grateful for the ways that the Ignatian Solidarity Network has not only offered informative programming (both in-person and virtual) in areas of interest, but for the ways that their talented and gifted staff members have always supported me with answering questions or providing me with resources that I need when I am leading a social justice-themed lesson or program. From environmental stewardship to immigration to criminal justice reform, ISN continues to be the organization that I share with other educators because of the expertise, wisdom, and knowledge that is held within the organization. It has been a joy to work with ISN throughout the years, and if I could give them 10 stars, I would!

Ignatian Solidarity Network is one of the most important nonprofits in my world. They have provided tremendous opportunities for both personal and communication growth. I've been involved with them for about 17 years, ten years in a deeply serious way. Their commitnent to justice, community engagement, and openness to growth are vital attributes that make them a strong organization. They have a myriad of ways to engage for wide swaths of communities and individuals. Their work has both breadth and depth.

ISN is a fabulous network of people, resources, action, information and contemplation. They are such an integral component of the social justice movement-esp for students and educators. Plus, the staff is awesome!

I have been involved with several ISN programs as a student, university/high school staff partner, office intern, writer for Lenten series, and other capacities. I truly believe that there is no other organization doing the things that ISN is doing. Not only are they hosting large annual gatherings like IFTJ or the Ignatian Justice Summits, but they are organizing within their network for greater justice through things like the Catholic Ethical Purchasing Alliance.

I know that ISN will continue to lead the way in justice and solidarity work for Catholic organizations.

I have participated in almost every program that the ISN runs and I am always blown away by the energy, creativity, and passion they bring to educating and organizing Jesuit institutions around issues of social justice. As an administrator at a Jesuit high school, I am always energized and inspired by my experiences with the ISN. And I know that my students' experiences with the ISN, particularly the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice have changed the way they look at the world and their role in changing it.

I can sincerely and honestly say ISN has changed my life. As a student at a Jesuit institution, I have participated in many different forms of ISN programming: an IFTJ participant and student speaker, an Arrupe leader, a volunteer intern. ISN not only educates students like myself about issues of social justice, it empowers them. Empowers them, or should I say it empowered me, to be faithful to my Jesuit identity, to go beyond bandaging wounds and work towards systemic change, to be a leader in the model of so many great people of faith and justice before me. ISN has taught me that to be a leader for justice one must not only speak and act but, perhaps more importantly, listen and be and accompany. Thank you ISN for your work and inspiration: all you have done to "set the world on fire," one student's heart at a time.

A few years ago, as an interested observer, I attended for the first time the annual ISN Jesuit Family Teach-In held in Washington, DC (Jesuit universities, colleges, high schools, parishes, etc.) dedicated to social justice education and advocacy, which is the heart of ISN's mission. There were 1200 attendees (mostly students) listening attentatively and respectfully to peers and well known speakers for a full day before lobbying on Capitol Hill, but the most telling feature to me was the lack of any cellphone use or texting -- total involvement and attention to the speakers and to what was being said! I thought, "If this is our future, I want to be part of it!"

I attended the 2013 Ignatian Solidarity Network University Leaders Summit at John Carroll University. The ISN Summit far exceeded my expectations; the organizers provided a comfortable and engaging environment in which students from Jesuit universities across the country could discuss social justice on their campus and in their communities.

I attended a Jesuit university leadership conference sponsored and organized by ISN this summer. The conference was an amazing opportunity for me to meet other college students who share in my passion for social justice. I was also given a toolbox of useful skills - budgeting, community organizing, fundraising, and advocacy - that I will be able to apply to many of the programs and initiatives I hope to bring back to my university community. The weekend was inspiring and affirming. I left with a more confidence, better focus, a deeper desire to work for justice, and a network of individuals I can look to for support, wisdom, and guidance. I continue to be involved with this organization, and I have already begun to start some social justice conversations on my campus. ISN is an amazing nonprofit that does amazing work for the greater glory of God. St. Ignatius would be proud.

I participated in a conference put on by the Ignatian Solidarity Network with a focus on social justice. It was amazing. I learned a lot, had the opportunity to grow and network with other people of similar interest and had a truly amazing and motivating experience. I would highly recommend attending an ISN event if at all possible!

I've had the pleasure of working with ISN as a steering committee member for their annual teach-in. After going to the teach-in in college, and now after seeing the inner workings of ISN up close, I know how hard Chris and Kim work, and what a great organization ISN is. As someone who works for social justice, I know that ISN is at the forefront of a larger movement in our Church, and in society. It's important to get students involved in this important work, and ISN is one of the best launching pads to ensure that in the future, young people will grow up and work to make our society and world a more just place to live.

What an experience!!! The ISN Arrupe Leadership Summit inspired my students to develop a school-wide service and justice program for the entire school, on all grade levels. The energy and enthusiasm that they came back with, continued in their work on our campus. The ISN summit was not only worthwhile, it is already on our calendar for next year as well.....Thanks to ISN for their leadership, energy, and well run program.

After returning to the United States in August 2012 following a year of international post-graduate service, I was hoping to find ways to reconnect with faith and social justice communities back home. The Ignatian Solidarity Network helped me do that. Although I was pretty familiar with ISN during my undergraduate career at a Jesuit University, I became more familiar with this nonprofit in the past year. In November 2012, I attended the Ignatian Family Teach-In in Washington, DC. I have always loved attending the Teach-In because I feel that I leave with a renewed passion for the Jesuit mission and the different communities that support it through their own works and missions.

In February 2013, I was grateful to learn more about ISN by attending the Arrupe Leaders Summit (for high school students on the east coase) as a team member for the weekend. I was able to meet and connect with several high school groups and learn about the inspiring social justice work that these students engage in. As a team member, I was also able to share a bit of my own story and involvement of social justice while helping the students begin their own discussion of how they are going to continue the Jesuit mission in their own lives.

I am grateful for and applaud ISN for their wonderful work and mission.

The Ignatian Solidarity Network has provided well organized, intentional, and meaningful programing for our faculty and students. Our experience at the Arrupe Leadership Summit far exceeded our expect actions for the event. This event was prayerful, engaging, and age appropriate for high school student. By far one of the best events I have ever brought students to.

After taking my students to the Ignatian Family Teach-In in November, my students returned to our school community with re-energized passion for Catholic Social Teaching and a faith that does justice. Our six students that attended Arrupe Leadership Summit returned with new zeal which encouraged other students to lead an initiative for our state to end the Death Penalty in response to our Catholic tradition, Sacred Scripture, and Catechism of the Catholic Church.

I have brought students to the Arrupe Leaders Summit two years in a row, and our high school also brings students to the Ignatian Family Teach-In each year. Our students always come back from each experience inspired to bring about more justice in our world. We especially see this after the Arrupe Leaders Summit, which is specifically meant to help build social justice leadership skills in high school students. Sometimes we just don't have all the time and resources to provide all the experiences we want for our own students, but the Arrupe Leaders Summit is something I feel confident taking our students to that I know will help build a passion for justice in our students in ways that we just can't do on our own on campus.

ISN is a resource for all members of the Jesuit Higher Education (and beyond) community and I have found it to be extremely helpful in ways that are easy to access, educational, and collaborative. I love the simple ways it offers great resources.

Ignatian Solidarity Network's staff is truly as hardworking as they come. Throughout the past year it has been really great to see how the staff, board members, and members of the Ignatian family have mobilized and worked together in order to not only bring attention to various social justice issues but reveal what each one of our roles are in bringing about positive change. I am proud to be a member of the Ignatian family and feel very connected on a daily basis to this network.

I have been involved with ISN in several capacity. I attended their leadership conference and two teach-ins. I was a breakout presenter and a main stage speaker at the teach-ins. I was happy to share my experience and passions but other than feeling rejuvenated and excited to return to my ministry in Syracuse, I did not learn too much about how to take it to the next steps. However, the networking and connections fostered were wonderful and lasting.

The Ignatian Solidarity Network serves to bring together many students, teachers, parishoners and volunteers associated with Jesuit high schools, universities and other organizations. There are regular conferences several times a year to develop leadership and knowledge about major social and human rights issues. The ISN also uses social media to connect, inform and organize. My own family has been inspired and nurtured in our lives of faith and justice by attending ISN events - particularly the Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice each November. We love ISN and the prioritize attending its events and supporting its work financially.

I have worked with the ISN on a few summit teams to create an experience for high school students from around the country to come together and share their experiences of social justice. I am amazed by the time given to the cause and effort of the organization to teach about social justice and to create a greater community of Jesuit institutions around the country. The high school students present at the first summit last spring gained a valuable experience and met other students who are just as passionate about their faith and justice. ISN is a well-run organization that continues to grow in its endeavor of spreading the Ignatian vision.

The ISN is about connecting people doing great work, and supporting both individuals, groups, and institutions as they work towards justie grounded in faith. Through the ISN I have personally learned about and been inspired by issues of justice and those working towards great endeavors, have connected with colleagues to build community and share resources and best practices, and have accompanied students learning valuable leadership skills to institute change on their university campuses. I consider the ISN on the forefront of utilizing social media and technology to connect people across great distances and keep engaged people informed of current issues.

I work as a Campus Minister at Le Moyne College which is how I became familiar with the Ignatian Solidarity Network. I have been bringing students to the ISN sponsored teach-in for eight years. What has happened is that not only are the students moved, touched, challenged by the presentations but so was I. One of my greatest joys is to walk along with college age students as they discover the world and what their impact can be on that world. ISN offers wonderful opportunities for this to happen.

In 2002, I attended my first Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Columbus, GA. Over the course of the next decade, I was privileged to have a chance to serve on the steering committee for five years and as one of the emcees for four years (including as Head Emcee the last two years). ISN makes it possible for the Ignatian family to gather together, to learn together, to be inspired together, and to worship together, and to be reminded of what makes us this eclectic, crazy, bonded family. The goal each year is to develop leaders (through the leadership summits), to provide the tools for action (both with Lobby Days and the upcoming legislative action month), and to educate and inspire (with the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice). ISN has made tremendous strides over the course of the last decade and I know that I'm not the only person who has changed career directions because of my experience with ISN (I am now halfway through the coursework for a PhD in Social Ethics).

I have been priviledged to be involved with the ISN from its beginning. It grew out of the annual protests/vigils at the Gates of the SOA at Ft. Benning, GA. Jesuit school students were going down each year and Bob Holstein of California, a devoted protestor and Jesuit educated man, thought the ISN would be a great way to involve more people. The various speakers have energized me over the years. Sr. Helen Prejean, Fr. Orobator, SJ of Africa, Martin Sheen, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, to name a few, spoke to our hearts and helped me and all who were there to be more and more committed to working for justice. Students who participate in local and international service and immersion programs feel greatly supported by the topics presented each year at the teach-in. Textbooks and classroom discussions on topics of justice are important but witnessing injustice is an incredible teaching moment. With other justice issues before us, such as the Dream Act, workers' rights, immigration reform, ecology, my mind and knowledge has been expanded and has been helpful in the clarification and explanation of social justice to the following generations. Meeting with their peers from other schools, the students are uniting in strong solidarity with each other and the poor. But, to be honest, the costs of getting to the teach-in and administering the teach-in are climbing higher and higher. Most students who are interested in social justice and change do not have unlimited resources. Somehow this non-profit has to figure out ways of hosting regional teach-ins. It's more work, I know, but I believe more people would be reached as a result. The annual teach-in could still function. Presence in Washington, DC and lobbying Congress is important. Programming and logistics would have to be detailed very carefully so that the regional teach-ins would have clout and be as effective as the general one is already. Teaching participants to live simply would include being careful about spending money even for excellent causes such as the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. That being said, the ISN is just what we need to keep our eyes on the common good. In addition to the teach-in, the ISN runs regional workshops on various topics. The groups are smaller and more in depth conversations take place. Even though I most addressed the teach-in I don't want you to lose sight of the fact that the ISN does other programming on justice issues.

The Ignatian Solidarity Network is an organization that I have come to rely on how collaboration, information and support for the work that I do at Loyola Marymount University. This summer I had the opportunity to go to a summit the ISN put on for colleges and universities and I am still in regular contact with many who participated as well as using the resources they provided. Currently I am looking forward to the Teach -In they are putting on in Washington, DC that I will bring students to for advocacy training and connection with peers from other colleges and universities who care about social justice.

I am the service director and social justice coordinator at St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio. I rely heavily on ISN for info. on what is going on at other Jesuit institutions around the country in the area of justice. The Ignatian Teach-In in Washington, DC, held every November, is a highlight of many of my students' year. This event is coordinated by ISN and is truly an outstanding experience. Also, ISN provided me with guest speakers for a Fair Trade awareness week last year at no cost. In short, without the Ignatian Solidarity Network I would be less connected with other Jesuit institutions and less informed on justice issues.

The Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) has, year after year, provided transformative programming for my students at Rockhurst University. Through the November Ignatian Teach-In for Justice and the January University Leadership Summitt, the ISN has given my students the opportunity to engage social justice issues through prayer, dialogue, and action that has yielded tangible results in terms of increased awareness/programming here at Rockhurst as well as direction for their future careers and fields of study. Truly, ISN is an amazing organization!

ISN's programs, website, and network opportunities offer high school and college students, young professionals, and adult parishioners training and opportunities to live out a faith that does justice. Each year, more than 1,000 members of the Ignatian Family gathering for a teach-in to learn about pressing justice issues, discuss ways that we can respond as individuals, and prepare to meet with elected officials to call for policy change. ISN trains high school and college students to be leaders on issues of justice like labor rights, fair trade movements, domestic poverty issues, immigraiton reform, and militarization of foreign policy througout the world. ISN educates communities through online blogs and webinars. Their programs offer direction to the justice work of thousands of Jesuit-affiliated individuals across the U.S. and around the world.