“Care is not an individual act, but a shared practice shaped by connection, responsibility, and community;” this is the message that stood at the heart of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s tenth annual Social Justice Week.
This past week UWL invited students, faculty and community members to explore a variety of complex topics surrounding social justice through offering over 30 organized events. The events ranged from presentations and facilitated discussions, to film screenings to hands-on projects.
Social Justice Week opened with a keynote address from author, speaker, researcher and founder of the FIERCE Foundation/Network, Dr. Carolyn Colleen, whose talk, The Work That Works: Collective Care in Action, focused on sustainable leadership, and the importance of growth without burnout. The keynote set the tone for many of the themes introduced throughout the rest of the week.
The first of many events held in the student union was, Voice of Pride: Stories from LGBTQ+ Elders. This event provided space for local LGBTQ+ elders to share personal stories and experiences, which offered students insight into intergenerational solidarity.
The week featured many artistic hands-on events such as mending circles, round-robin community art making and DIY activist zine workshops, all of which were used to emphasize creativity as a form of collective care and connection.
Other hands-on events included creating support cards for survivors through UWL’s Violence Prevention Program and collaborative puzzle challenges designed to practice leadership under pressure.
Several sessions held workshops focused on discussing topics including immigration and documentation, psychological safety, environmental racism, homelessness, race and language and microaggressions. These events directly targeted a variety of social justice concerns and encouraged participants to engage with how these issues shape everyday life. The goal of many sessions was to have attendees leave with tools and practices they can utilize to create change.
Throughout the week there were also several film screenings such as Sam & Me, Meet Me at the Creek, Deconstructing Karen and The Encampments. Each one touched on different social justice issues and were all followed by conversations regarding the films’ relevancy and importance.
Community engagement was also a large focus of the week, which is why one of the headlining events was a volunteer fair hosted by Great Rivers United Way. Representatives from more than 20 local nonprofit organizations held tables where they shared opportunities, answered questions and helped attendees find meaningful ways to contribute to the La Crosse community.
The week also focused on wellness and healing. Mindfulness sessions, trauma-responsive training and workshops on self and collective care offered participants practical tools for sustaining both personal well-being and community health.
Social Justice Week concluded with opportunities for reflection and rest, including a Silent Book Club sponsored by Pearl Street Books.
