How CCE is Keeping the Conversation About Social Justice Going Through a Pandemic

Now that most people are finding themselves confined to their homes due to the “Shelter

in Place” order enacted in Washington state, the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) had

to shut down the majority of their programs. These programs, staffed by Gonzaga University

student volunteers, provide key services to members of the Spokane community that are in need,

such as those in poverty or the homeless. But when they are unable to continue physically doing

the work, how can they maintain their commitments to the principles of “serve, solidarity and

social justice” that the organization is based on?

“Our team plans to always work to fulfill our mission, even when that takes unexpected

forms,” said CCE Director Molly Ayers in a Gonzaga Bulletin article.

The answer has come in the form of a Zoom series called “Community Chat with Tony

and Cat.” This series, which had its premiere episode on April 2, is dedicated to keeping the

conversation going about social justice issues in the Spokane area. They’re also sharing the ways

they have been able to continue helping Spokane residents through the COVID-19 outbreak to

bring some positivity during these difficult times.

“Community Chat” gives members of the Gonzaga community the opportunity to keep

learning and talking about the social justice issues they are passionate about from wherever they

are. During their first episode, they saw participants in the Zoom chat from all over the country.

Hosted by CCE Assistant Director Anthony Medina and Catherine Collins, a CCE

program student leader, the pilot episode focused on food insecurity in Spokane. They also had

Campus Kitchens Program Manager Emily Banick, Sodexo Resident District Manager Pat

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Clelland and Logan Elementary Principal Brent Perdue as guests to discuss the issue from

different perspectives.

A large part of their discussion was focused on the Logan Dinner. One of the few

services CCE was able to continue, this dinner consists of a weekly distribution of free meals

from Campus Kitchens to families in the Logan neighborhood of Spokane.

“Last week we had 125 meals that came and we started at 5 and they were gone by 5:12,”

said Perdue about a Logan Dinner after many people had lost their jobs due to the close of

nonessential businesses. “The need is really, really there and I think it’s just gonna get harder for

folks as this drags on.”

This “Community Chat” episode gave viewers the ability to hear a meaningful discussion

about the effects of this pandemic on food insecurity and how it has impacted the vulnerable

groups CCE was already working with. Due to the shutdown of their other food donation

programs, Banick and Campus Kitchens have been putting all their focus towards Logan Dinner

and they’ve been learning a lot about how COVID-19 has affected the lives of people in Logan

neighborhood.

“It’s really making me recognize...these families are food insecure on a regular basis.

They don’t have the luxury of going to Costco and stocking up on food,” said Banick. “That’s

really a privilege...food is tight regularly, well now they’re really struggling.”

“Community Chat” not only focuses on the struggles Spokane citizens are facing, but

also tries to bring positivity by talking about how they and others are here to help. In the episode,

they discuss the many members of the Spokane community that, like CCE, have been donating

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to combat food insecurity.

“A bunch of us from CCE and pretty much all over Spokane have been in weekly

meetings addressing food insecurity and really looking for ways for the whole community to get

creative in filling those gaps,” said Banick.

The majority of the episode, uploaded after to YouTube for those unable to participate

live, focused on these discussions about how food insecurity is affecting Spokane and how the

community can help. The speakers also answered questions from participants in the Zoom chat.

The passion of the speakers was evident throughout the discussion, but they want to

ensure that they’re focusing on issues their participants are passionate about as well, asking for

guest and topic ideas at the end of the episode.

“We want to be able to come together and have ‘Chats’ about all sorts of stuff,” said

Collins, “so don’t be afraid to bring anything to the table.”

While CCE is unable to continue the bulk of their programs due to the pandemic, they

remain committed to finding ways to keep doing their work and having the conversations around

social justice that their volunteers value. “Community Chat with Tony and Cat” facilitates the

continuation of these meaningful discussions despite the separation of CCE community

members.

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