Social Justice, Advocacy and Activism 

The Center for Multicultural and Global Mental Health (CMGMH) is an academic, clinical training, and research center at William James College which promotes social justice and work to address mental health disparities among historically marginalized populations in the U.S. and abroad. CMGMH faculty, staff and students, working with colleagues in the William James College Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, have assembled this list of resources for those looking to learn and engage.

Ways to Learn

Engage in Conversations about Race and Racism

Get Involved: List of Organizations in Massachusetts

Civil Rights and Social Justice

American Jewish Committee (AJC) Global Jewish Advocacy New England
Safeguards the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, while promoting human rights and democratic values for all. It achieves these purposes through high-level diplomacy, strong legislative advocacy, and effective interreligious and interethnic outreach. 

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Massachusetts
A private, nonpartisan organization defending the principles enshrined in the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights as well as the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Anti-Defamation League (ADL) New England
Civil rights and human relations agency fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defending democratic ideals and protecting civil rights for all.

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Massachusetts
Mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote social justice and mutual understanding.

Human Rights Organizations

March Forward Massachusetts
Works to educate, engage, support, and amplify advocates and their efforts on issues like social justice, the environment, economic justice, reproductive justice, and human rights.

Housing

The Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston
Only comprehensive fair housing organization working to eliminate housing discrimination and promote open communities throughout the region.

Immigration

Council on Islamic Relations (CAIR) Massachusetts
Mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote social justice and mutual understanding.

Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
Largest organization in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees.

LGBTQ Rights

GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD)
Works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.

Human Rights Campaign, Massachusetts
Fights for LGBT equality in Massachusetts alongside state and local groups and lawmakers.

Keshet Massachusetts
National organization that works for full LGBTQ equality and inclusion in Jewish life. Led and supported by LGBTQ Jews and straight allies, they cultivate the spirit and practice of inclusion in all parts of the Jewish community.

Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition
Dedicated to ending oppression and discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression.

MassEquality
Grassroots advocacy organization working to ensure that everyone can thrive without discrimination and oppression based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Peace Building

Friends Peace Teams
Spirit-led organization working around the world to develop long-term relationships with communities in conflict to create programs for peacebuilding, healing and reconciliation.

Massachusetts Peace Action
Nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to develop the sustained political power to foster a more just and peaceful U.S. foreign policy.

Racial Justice

Black Lives Matter - Boston
Black Lives Matter Boston remains committed to being active in the movement against racist policing and police violence both locally and nationally.

Black Lives Matter - Cambridge
Black Lives Matter Cambridge is part of the movement to end structural racism both locally, nationally and internationally.

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) - Boston
SURJ BOSTON is a local chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice, a national network of groups and individuals organizing white people for racial justice.

Racial justice organizations led by people of color 

Racial justice organizations mobilizing white allies to combat institutional racism 

Violence Prevention

Fenway Community Health Center’s Violence Recovery Program
Provides counseling, support groups, advocacy, and referral services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) victims of bias crime, domestic violence, sexual assault, and police misconduct.

United for Justice with Peace
Coalition of peace and justice organizations and community peace groups in the Greater Boston region. 

Women’s Rights

Mass NOW
Advances intersectional justice for people who identify as women and girls in the Commonwealth. The only multi-issue, multi strategy feminist organization in the Commonwealth.

UltraViolet
Community of people from all walks of life mobilized to fight sexism and expand women’s rights, from politics and government to media and pop culture.

Women’s Rights

Mass NOW
Advances intersectional justice for people who identify as women and girls in the Commonwealth. The only multi-issue, multi strategy feminist organization in the Commonwealth.

UltraViolet
Community of people from all walks of life mobilized to fight sexism and expand women’s rights, from politics and government to media and pop culture.

Additional Resources

Take Action: Petitions to Sign

Places to Donate

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