When it comes to social justice, get started with something small, but be open to bigger things.

If one year ago someone had told ten confirmation candidates from St. Michael’s Parish in Kona, Hawaii, that they would travel across the country to tell their story to three thousand other Catholics, they probably would have laughed. But that is exactly what happened to a group of teens who started small but were open to being part of bigger things.

You might have seen these teens and their chaperones at NCYC in Atlanta. They shared their story during a concurrent session, performed a song on the music stage in Peach Tree Corners with Jesse Manibusan, and talked about their experiences with passers-by in the social justice area.

The St. Michael’s youth started small when they signed up for confirmation preparation at their parish as freshman and sophomores. During the first semester they were introduced to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Multi Media Youth Arts Contest by their catechist Tom Peters. The contest challenges teens to consider the root causes of poverty and imagine possible solutions. Tom used the contest to educate his class about social justice.

This group of young people focused their attention on homelessness in Hawaii. The result was a ten-minute DVD titled: Let Their Voices Be Heard! Public Housing and Homelessness in Hawaii. “I really never gave much thought to homelessness before, but after we began, I realized that even just thinking about it isn’t enough—you’ve got to try to do something. I also learned that you can help people, but it’s a long process to get anything accomplished,” said student Miyeko Inafuku.

The process that the students completed was no exception. Tom explained, “They developed questions, arranged interviews, shot six hours of footage and then spent 35 hours editing it down to ten minutes.” The video included visits to public housing units, interviews with government employees, elected officials, community activists, and homeless people. The efforts of the youth were rewarded when the video was named the grand prize winner of the contest. As a result, the group traveled to NCYC.

While the travel, the conference, and the award would make a great ending to the story, these teens continue to take steps to address homelessness. Honolulu Bishop Clarence Silva is using “Let Their Voices Be Heard!” to launch a social ministry effort throughout the diocese. The teens will attend rallies to show the DVD and collect signatures for a petition drive in support of a legislative effort to improve housing conditions and end homelessness.

While all of this is happening the teens are active in school and continue confirmation preparation, but they have made a commitment to taking further steps to affect homelessness in their local community. The efforts of these teens are a challenge to all of us. Not every small step for justice will lead to bigger events, but if we do not take the little steps (and encourage our young people to do the same), it is not very likely that more significant steps will follow.

The CCHD Multi Media Youth Arts Contest, mentioned above, is one way to educate youth in grades 7-12 about poverty while engaging their creativity. Other resources from CCHD include: www.povertyusa.org where visitors can take the two and a half minute poverty tour, or test their knowledge of poverty with an online quiz.

If you want something more active download the Catholic Call to Justice obstacle course. This collaborative effort between CCHD and Catholic Relief Services explores six themes of Catholic Social Teaching from the point of view of refugees who come to America.

Lesson plans for use with K-8 grades are available in the Poverty USA Student Action Project. The high school companion will be released this winter. Check back to the CCHD website and look for EPIC—Ending Poverty in Community. It will be available on CD-ROM.

If you want something already in print check the NFCYM Youth Ministry Resource Manuals from 2004, Living Justice, Proclaiming Peace and 2005, Spirit of God: Source and Strength. In the 2004 edition, lesson five focuses on domestic poverty. Lesson six in the 2005 edition has the same focus using different activities.

For more information on CCHD educational resources contact Mike Poulin by email or at 202-541-3297.