Californians for Justice (CFJ)

Californians for Justice believes that young people are the leaders we need to create the healthy, just and vibrant schools all of our communities deserve. We ensure that students have the opportunity to grow as leaders, and work with them to win campaigns so that every school and community can thrive.

Mission

Californians for Justice is a statewide grassroots organization working for racial justice by building the power of youth, communities of color, immigrants, low-income families, and LGBTQ communities.  Led by students, we organize to advance educational justice and improve our social, economic, and political conditions.

Our Work

Californians for Justice believes in using a strategic approach to taking action in order to achieve justice in public schools. We use the ABC strategy to make change.

  • AllianceCFJ believes in forging strong alliances at the regional, statewide and national levels to help move our work forward.
  • BaseOur active base of youth and parents across the state are critical to achieving our goals and to sustaining the educational and racial justice movement. We build our base through outreach, direct organizing, and leadership development
  • CampaignsCFJ undertakes regional and statewide campaigns to build broad support, change the public debate about educational quality, and to achieve tangible policy changes at the local and state level. Read more about our regional work here.

Curricula

Mission and Vision

Intended Audience: High School youth chapter members or smaller chapter leadership core. For new or emerging High School youth chapters. Level of difficulty: Introductory Curriculum (1 hour each, divided into two 30 min sessions – lunch, or afterschool):
  • To introduce members to your mission, vision and principles
  • To make connections with our personal struggles and our organizing work.

Intro to Campaigns Part I (Campaign Steps)

Intended Audience: High School youth chapter members or smaller chapter leadership core. For new or emerging High School youth chapters. Level of difficulty: Introductory Curriculum (1 hour each, divided into two 30 min sessions – lunch, or afterschool): Goals:
  • To introduce participants to steps of a campaign.

Intro to Public Speaking and Facilitation

Intended Audience: High School youth chapter members or smaller chapter leadership core. For new or emerging High School youth chapters. Level of difficulty: Introductory Curriculum (1 hour each, divided into two 30 min sessions – lunch, or afterschool):
  • To develop confidence in public speaking.

Intro to Leadership Development

Intended Audience: High School youth chapter members or smaller chapter leadership core. For new or emerging High School youth chapters. Level of difficulty: Introductory Curriculum (1 hour each, divided into two 30 min sessions – lunch, or afterschool):
  • To discuss the importance of relationship building in recruitment and retention of members.

Intro to Grassroots Fundraising

Intended Audience: High School youth chapter members or smaller chapter leadership core. For new or emerging High School youth chapters. Level of difficulty: Introductory Curriculum (1 hour each, divided into two 30 min sessions – lunch, or afterschool):
  • To understand the importance of grassroots fundraising in movement building
  • To analyze who gives in the U.S.