Advocacy Is For Everyone: Lessons from IFTJ

Regis IFTJ traveling team in Washington DC at the Jefferson Memorial. //Photo courtesy of Natalie Nielsen

By: Catie Cheshire, Co-Editor in Chief

As part of social justice week, students who attended the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ) in Washington D.C. November 3-5 shared reflections on their experience and plans for future action in an event called “IFTJ, Action, and Healing.” Not everyone who went on the trip participated in the event, but it began with those who did (Natalie Nielsen, Anahi Ramos, Ethan Strouse, Amelia Rouyer, and Kate Penick) sharing memorable moments are lessons learned.

The conference is two days of breakout speakers and advocacy training with a focus on the Jesuit values that can influence how we discuss policy with our elected representatives. The final day of the conference is devoted to meeting with policy aides on the hill and using the advocacy skills learned at the conference. The theme of this year’s conference was Discipleship at the Crossroads.

“The community of Jesuit schools was impressive to me,” Penick said. “The common background we all come from was special throughout the weekend.” Strouse seconded her thoughts with a comedic story about the “mass Mass” that took place Sunday evening on the second day of the conference. That many people from Jesuit educational backgrounds coming together is something unique about ITFJ that Regis students felt defined the conference.

Despite the fact that every breakout session or keynote relates social justice issues back to Jesuit values, Ramos stressed the variety of topics available for conference-goers to pick from. Ramos has gone to IFTJ twice now, and said that this time around she was able to learn about different subjects than she had before. She also stressed that advocacy isn’t nearly as intimidating as she thought.

“The nerves disappear once you’re in the conversation and can share your stories and views and be heard by people who have a say,” Ramos said. For Nielsen, who has attended IFTJ three times and was the student leader of the trip this year, her growth within advocacy from year one to year three of IFTJ has encouraged her to consider a career in politics after she graduates from Regis.

Nielsen used her third year as a chance to learn from others. She expressed that, for her, a lot of the experience was listening to what others are doing and trying to figure out how to bring that back to Regis.

For that reason, the second half of the event focused on actions. The participants shared DOs and DON’Ts for advocacy, and introduced a new event that will take place at Regis in the Spring: Advocacy Day. During Anti-Oppression Week one day will involved Regis students lobbying on Capitol Hill here in Denver.

The other action was participants at the even writing letters to Casa de Paz, an organization that provides support for people whose family members are detained or are coming out of detention centers. Casa de Paz is a local organization that has helped over 1,000 families and counting. The letters were written to express solidarity for people unjustly held in detention and will be delivered to families soon.

University Ministry takes 12 students to D.C.

Regis students advocated for senators and representatives to pass legislation that fits with Jesuit values.

(Photo by Emily Marshall)

By: Catie Chesire, Staff Reporter

Every year, University Ministry takes students to the annual Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice (IFTJ), which is a conference designed specifically for Jesuit high schools and universities. This year, the Teach-in took place Nov. 4-6 in Washington D.C. I have been lucky to attend both of my two years at Regis and had amazing experiences each time.

The trip was a little different than in the past because, aside from chaperone Brian Vander Heiden, Regis’ delegation was 12 female students and second chaperone Sharon Bramante, a new addition to the University Ministry team. Accordingly, we named ourselves the “12 Angry Women” and took to D.C. to bond, to learn, and to do our part as citizens.

A huge component of the conference that was my favorite day both years is advocacy day. On Monday Nov. 6th, everyone from the conference goes to the Capitol, makes meetings with our elected officials, and talks to them about policies we want to see change within the nation. The other two days of the conference aim to give students

This year, IFTJ had two policy focuses: immigration and criminal justice. In terms of immigration, attendees at the conference were briefed on the DREAM Act, including an emotional testimony from a high-school Dreamer. When we spoke to our elected officials, a huge push was for the DREAM Act to be passed without any stipulations of increased border security. On the subject of criminal justice, we encouraged our elected officials to participate in and support any bipartisan sentencing reform.

The underlying thread of the conference was always tied back to the Jesuit values we uphold as an institution, making it even more impactful. For example, the theme of the conference was Rowing into the Deep: Magis Meets Justice. We were encouraged to strive for the more, and not give up in the face of difficulties no matter how enormous they may seem.

Fittingly, the conference, as it did last year, gave me a sense of hope. Seeing over 2,000 students all committed to making a difference, being informed, and seeing justice done is a rare opportunity. In the words of Vander Heiden, “I’d do it every weekend if I could.”

If you want to hear more about the trip look for the “12 Angry Women” event Tuesday Nov. 14th during Justice Week.

November 5 officially named Regis Day in Colorado

(Photo: Regis University)

By: Natalia Zreliak, Digital Editor

In celebration of both Regis University and Regis Jesuit High School’s 140th anniversary, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper proclaimed November 5, Regis Day in Colorado. Hickenlooper’s proclamation is a long list of the reason why both Regis University and Regis Jesuit are worth celebrating from being the only Jesuit university in the Western Rocky Mountains and the largest private and Catholic high school in Colorado to Jesuit values that make the schools so special.

Both schools were founded in 1887 on November 5 by two Jesuit Priests in Las Vegas, New Mexico but were very shortly relocated to Denver not too long after. Up until 1989 the high school and university shared space on what is now Regis’ Northwest Denver Campus. Originally Regis was known as the College of the Sacred Heart but was given a new name to honor Saint John Francis Regis, a member of The Society of Jesus during the 17th century who worked with prostitutes and the poor in the mountains of Southern France.

Regis University and Regis Jesuit are known for their service to the community surrounding them through clubs and projects like those put on by Father Woody. Hickenlooper’s proclamation even notes both school’s missions to “educate men and women to make a positive impact in a rapidly-changing global society by emphasizing academic excellence, service, and developing the whole person, as prescribed by the principles of the Society of Jesus.”