social justice

What momma has time for social justice initiatives, right?

Most days, it feels like we’re barely keeping ourselves and our kids alive. Like, if everyone in the house has eaten three meals that day, we feel that the day was a success.

Motherhood does require a lot of us, certainly. But sometimes the chaos of the everyday also keeps us focused on ourselves, absorbed in ourselves really, and we lose sight of the people around us; people with less than us, people less privileged than us, people in need.

I think there are a number of ways that mommas (with littles even) can and should get involved in social justice practices in their own community. These practices keep our perspectives grounded and grateful, reminding us to be thankful for how much we truly have. They also force us to be more selfless, to link arms with mothers from other cultures, languages and socio-economic contexts, and to bless others in ways that we have been blessed.

The following list gives some ideas of how you as a momma can start getting involved in social justice initiates right here in Austin. These ideas don’t require you to add one more thing to your busy schedule, but rather show how you can incorporate social justice into activities you’re already doing.

1. RBI Baseball: RBI is a non-profit baseball organization in Austin that “exists to engage and develop inner-city Austin youth athletically, academically, and spiritually, empowering them to lead the transformation of their communities.” They target youth and families from Austin’s underserved communities and offer both mentoring and discipleship programs. Now, you might not be able to volunteer as a coach or mentor for the kids, but why not sign your own kids up to play in the RBI league? Your fees will support their mission, and who knows – both you and your kids could make friends with women and children you’d normally not run into on a daily basis! If you want to do more, consider also attending the upcoming RBI Annual Benefit Dinner on Thursday, January 25 at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin. You can learn all about what they do and how to sponsor kids there. Check out the registration here.

2. Heart of Texas Pregnancy Resource Center: Heart of Texas (HoT) is a non-profit organization that provides free and confidential resources to the low-income and vulnerable mothers in Austin, including “pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds, individual support, resource help, and community and medical referrals.” Have old baby/kid clothes that you were going to sell in a garage sale or drop off at Goodwill? Why not donate it to HoT instead so they can give it to children in need? They also need: new and gently used clothing from 0- 5T, including shoes, and other baby items such as strollers, pack and plays, bassinets, blankets, bottles, diapers, formula, etc.  They see moms once a month for the baby boutique, so they go through these items very quickly. Feel free to contact them on their website or email Marie Holden, Director of Operations: [email protected].

3. Life Anew: Life Anew “uses restorative justice to build healthier communities, promote peace and create a space to heal from harms caused by broken relationships.” This non-profit is doing more for the community of Austin than you can imagine. They assist families from losing their homes; they work on preventing teen violence; they help formerly incarcerated men and women reintegrate back into society and more through individual counseling and a variety of programs. The simplest thing you could do is donate to their cause. But I also think Life Anew offers incredible resources that we, as mommas, should advocate for in our kids’ schools. Contact the directors, Kim and Sherwynn Patton, and ask how you could help implement Life Anew in your local school. Finally, if you have time, consider attending one of their trainings to become more informed about things like cultural proficiency, intentional conversations and community engagement.

These ideas may seem simple or small, but they are exactly the sort of baby steps that can lead to racial solidarity in our community. In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, why not consider connecting with one of these non-profits and making restorative justice practices part of your norm for 2018?

Michelle Reyes
Michelle Ami Reyes (PhD) is a midwest gal at heart, who loves all things football, BBQ, and a really good pair of boots. Having lived in Austin for over 9 years now, she keeps her days busy as a homeschool mom of two and as a cultural intelligence coach. When she's not doing consultant work (or is knee-deep in art projects and history lessons about ancient empires), you can find her reading an epic fantasy novel, doing ridiculously hard puzzles, or cheering on the Vikings. Follow her on Instagram at @michelleamireyes.

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