Service isn’t just for while you’re at Saint Louis University. The Center for Social Action works to encourage lifelong personal and social responsibility by transforming student volunteers into effective servant leaders and advocates for social justice. One way to start is by engaging in advocacy and social action through one of the many programs offered by the Center.
Jesuit Refugee Services Advocacy Day
Jesuit Refugee Services Advocacy Day 2022: We need your help! Please join us on Tuesday, April 5, as we meet virtually with congressional offices and urge policymakers to take action on behalf of refugees. You can RSVP here. JRS/USA will be there to help you prepare for this event as we schedule meetings, host a webinar, and provide you with talking points. For questions, contact Jessica Trout in the Center for Social Action, jessica.trout@slu.edu.
Policy Pods
Policy Pods are small groups of students that are engaging in legislative research and meetings. Students meet weekly on topics such as criminal justice reform, immigration reform, environment, education immigration and disability rights. Towards the end of each the semester they set up legislative meetings in district to advocate on their position and host an event to educate campus. Starting each year, groups meet with advocacy agencies to get information on their topics and celebrate at the end of the year with a keynote address.
Social Justice and Advocacy Training
If you are interested in taking your service and community engagement efforts to the next level, enroll in the Social Justice and Advocacy Training series, sponsored by the Center for Social Action, the Cross Cultural Center for Global Citizenship, and the Service-Leadership program in the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business.
Through this intensive, two-day series, accepted applicants develop skills related to working for social change at the systemic level.
Students who are accepted and complete the program gain:
- The opportunity to engage in a paid social change internship for the semester, at a community organization of their choice, for up to $1,000
- A letter sent to the dean of the student's college or school, as well as to select vice presidents of Saint Louis University
- The tools, skills and knowledge necessary to work for social justice
Voter Engagement
Most states support online voter registration. Websites like www.vote.org or www.vote411.org will assist with registration, polling places, absentee ballots, election reminders, and voter registration status. Questions? Visit SLU’s Center for Social Action in Wuller Hall, Suite 204. In addition, there are always Missouri Voter Registration Forms available in the CSA.
Students who register to vote using their campus address (20 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103) are able to vote in the Simon Recreation Center in Presidential and Midterm elections.
Need a notary public? Contact Leah Sweetman in the Center for Social Action at leah.sweetman@slu.edu to have your absentee or mail-in ballot notarized.
Learn about polling places, upcoming elections and guidelines for political activity at SLU
Legislative Advocacy
This tutorial provides advice about how to research national and state legislation likely to influence issues important to you and will help you to effectively advocate for your causes with your political representatives.