Every year, people go above and beyond their own benefits to take a stand and make a change. United Campus Ministry is honoring some of these individuals and organizations during its 29th annual Social Justice Awards.
UCM’s board of directors voted on recipients for the regular awards and the Kuhre Griesinger Lifetime Achievement Award, said Melissa Wales,executive director of UCM.
The Kuhre Griesinger Lifetime Achievement Award was created in 2008 as a tribute to former UCM directors Jan Griesinger and Carol Kuhre, and to honor individuals who have continually promoted social justice.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Bob Garbo for his advocacy on behalf of those living in poverty in the Appalachian region.
Since the 1960s, Garbo has initiated fundraising campaigns to establish food banks; helped with the creation of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia; and co-founded the Foundation for Appalachia Ohio. Garbo is currently serving on the Stuart’s Opera House board.
“Because we are dedicated to social justice, the idea of those who work for social change going unrecognized was something we wanted to change,” Wales said.
Other groups being recognized during Monday’s ceremony include Athens County Fracking Action Network; Defend Education, Ohio!; Ohio University Survivor Advocacy Program; Michelle Ajamian and Brandon Jaeger; OU STAND Against Genocide; and ComCorps.
Being recognized by UCM as a social justice group is moving and gratifying, said Judith Grant, founder of Defend Education, Ohio! and director of the department of women’s and gender studies.
“We are just very glad to be in such great company with all the amazing groups that are getting recognition,” she said.
Defend Education, Ohio! aims to bring faculty and students together to facilitate conversations about higher education and the increasing role of market economies in defining education and who has access.
UCM will provide appetizers at the event and Rattletrap Stringband will perform.
“Why not learn how you can be a force for change and social justice in this wonderful community, no matter how long you're here?” Wales said. “Get involved with groups and people like the ones honored and make a difference.”
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