This past October, the CSJ Community—originally through the St. Joseph Worker Program and now CSJ Community Engagement—hosted another powerful Advocacy and Systemic Justice Immersion in partnership with Creighton University.

The roots of this collaboration go back to 2012, when Elizabeth Fairbairn, a St. Joseph Worker alum and Creighton graduate, and another Creighton alum envisioned a new kind of “service trip.” Instead of focusing solely on direct service, they wanted students to experience the other “foot of justice”—systemic change. More than a decade later, their vision continues to flourish as students spend a week in the Twin Cities learning what justice looks like in action.

Throughout the week, participants met with advocates, organizers, and community leaders working every day to dismantle inequities and create lasting change. The experience drew deeply from CSJ connections with partners such as Gichitwaa Kateri, the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, and Exodus Lending. Students also took part in Agate Housing’s “Day in the Life”, gaining firsthand insight into the realities of homelessness; joined the George Floyd Global Memorial Pilgrimage, engaging in powerful conversations about racial justice; and stood in solidarity at the ICOM Vigil at the Whipple Federal Building to advocate for immigration justice.

This year also brought new opportunities for collaboration with CSJ-founded organizations, including HOPE Community and Peace House, where students met with community organizers and neighborhood safety teams working toward equity and empowerment at the grassroots level.

Within the CSJ community itself, students learned from the CSJ/St. Kate’s Food Access Hub, exploring food justice through the community garden and food shelf, and spent time with the CSJ Justice Office, where they delved into advocacy strategies and social justice principles grounded in faith and community.

By week’s end, participants had not only witnessed but also embodied the CSJ charism of “love of the dear neighbor without distinction.” Their experiences sparked deep reflection and dialogue about what it means to live justice in everyday life.

Plans are already underway to welcome another Creighton group in March 2026, continuing this meaningful partnership that bridges education, spirituality, and the work of justice.