Be the Change
Be The Change celebrates the center's rich history as a home for people of diverse spiritual traditions with a shared commitment to social justice and ecological sustainability. Each month features several special events that explore new social justice, environmental, and spiritual themes. These events and themes offer students and community members opportunities to learn about each other's beliefs and discover new ways everyone can use to work together to create a more just and sustainable society. Our schedule of themes for 2016 is available at the bottom of this page. Anyone interested in organizing additional events of a social justice, environmental, or spiritual nature is welcome to contact us at (618) 549-7387 or email: director@ourgaiahouse.org. For 70 years, Gaia House Interfaith Center has offered programming focused on religious, spiritual, and cultural diversity. In 1943, it began as the Student Christian Foundation, an ecumenical Christian campus ministry that brought together people of many Christian denominations. Over time, it expanded to include people of many faiths, beliefs, and cultures. The center also has a long history of supporting social justice and environmental causes by providing community space and hosting events that address the many social and environmental questions of our lifetimes.
Social Justice Themes
JAN: Human Trafficking
FEB: Racial Justice
MAR: Women & Social Justice
APR: Child Abuse
MAY: Prisoners & Social Justice
JUN: Literacy
JUL: Civil Rights
AUG: Animal Rights
SEP: Peace & Nonviolence
OCT: LGBTQIA
NOV: Restorative Justice
DEC: Hunger & Homelessness
Environmental Themes
JAN: Conservation
FEB: Fracking
MAR: Apiculture
APR: Climate Change
MAY: Renewable Energy
JUN: Permaculture
JUL: Gardening
AUG: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
SEP: Shawnee National Forest
OCT: Divestment
NOV: Carbon Footprint
DEC: Pollution
Spiritual Themes
JAN: Taoism
FEB: Hinduism
MAR: Nonreligious
APR: Paganism
MAY: Quakerism
JUN: Buddhism
JUL: Unitarianism
AUG: Sufism
SEP: Judaism
OCT: Islam
NOV: Native American
DEC: Christianity