Celebrating the importance of partnerships in supporting their impactful programs, Discovering Justice recognized Massachusetts State Senator Becca Rausch (D-Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex) as a “Partner for Justice” at its Annual Gala last month.
Held at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter on June 26th, gratitude and appreciation were the focus of the night at Discovering Justice’s Annual Gala 2024: “Partners for Justice,” which raised $325,000 for the organization’s statewide programs.
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| Massachusetts State Senator Becca Rausch |
Introducing Senator Rausch during the evening’s speaking program, Discovering Justice Executive Director Matt Wilson commended her “tireless and dedicated work” as the civic education sector's champion for civics in the Massachusetts legislature – particularly for her ongoing support on the Senate Floor for Massachusetts’ landmark Civic Education Law since it was passed in 2018. “Through her passion for civic engagement and her persistence,” Wilson said, “Senator Rausch has emerged as a leader on Beacon Hill to bring robust civic education to every student in Massachusetts.”
Based in the John J. Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston’s Seaport District, Discovering Justice is a civics education nonprofit that brings students and communities together to examine the workings of the justice system, explore the ideals of justice, and prepare to engage as active citizens. This year, its programs served 27,000 students of all ages in classrooms across the Commonwealth.
Alongside Rausch, Discovering Justice’s Gala honored five additional “Partners for Justice'' Awardees for their long-term collaboration with, and exceptional commitment to, the organization’s programs and civics education for students across Massachusetts: Springfield Public Schools Director of Humanities Thomas Rachele; Jones Day Associate Hannah Essquenazi; Boston Public School Educators Christy Nelson and Tracy Coutts; and the law firm Goodwin Procter.
Each “Partner for Justice” Awardee spoke on their work in partnership with Discovering Justice and the impact of that work on students and communities. Awardees were then presented with customized award plaques created by Artists for Humanity’s teen program participants.
In her address, Senator Rausch extolled the importance of “bring[ing] civic education to our students, and bring[ing] those students into the rooms where policy is made, democracy lives, and equity advances, inspiring them to envision themselves there in the future.”
Reflecting on the Gala, Senator Rausch would later remark: “I am so deeply proud to partner with Discovering Justice. I absolutely loved gathering with others who share our collective passion for civic education, from students and educators to attorneys and policymakers, as we learn from and inspire one another.”
“Discovering Justice's partners are essential to our work," said Executive Director Matt Wilson. "It was inspiring to hear directly from partners like Senator Rausch and to celebrate all the collaboration that makes this work possible. The night was a reminder of the importance of civics education not only for each of us and our students as individuals, but also for our schools, cities and towns, and communities."
To learn more about Discovering Justice’s innovative civic education programs for students across the Commonwealth, visit www.discoveringjustice.org.
