After growing up around a family that does not abide by the law, a change is what Mariel Delacruz is reaching for. Making a change in society is important to Delacruz. Even before Delacruz was a freshman in college, she knew exactly what she wanted to do.
Cabrini offers several majors and opportunities for student to develop their understanding of social justice. There are also jobs on and off campus for students to help make a difference in the community. Mariel Delacruz worked in the Wolfington Center for three years but now works for campus ministry.
Working for campus ministry this year allows Delacruz to touch on the issue of students not being privileged enough to go on trips that help different communities. Delacruz is a service auction leader and this auction raises money for students to go abroad. Delacruz has also experienced going on these trips to help others.
From the Dominican Republic at six to Haiti at eight with her mother she saw her mother do the very thing she would like to do for people. Seeing her mother build homes for destroyed towns inspired her to continue helping the community.
“Growing up, I didn’t understand why the people that were good people in my eyes participated in criminal activities.That made them bad people in other’s eyes,” junior Mariel Delacruz said. “I want to understand the mind of criminals and what their purpose is of doing crime.”
Before coming to college Delacruz was already a big help to the community. During high school she was in a group called Aspire. Their purpose was to touch on the issues of social justice such as bullying.
While going around to each school she had developed a unique and effective way of talking to the students and getting them to understand bullying is not acceptable. Delacruz also was in City Year and completed 2,000 hours right before coming to college. She also helped out at a law firm working on many projects.
Delacruz has always tried to make a difference regarding social justice issues but just never called it “social justice.” Once she came to college she realized the majors that fit her goals in life are criminology, sociology and psychology.
As a CRS ambassador and co-president, she gets to raise awareness to issues of social justice such as helping unaccompanied immigrant minors that come to the U.S. for several reasons.
Working for campus ministry is not just just a job for Delacruz. It has meaning to her and what she want to continue to do with her life.
“I want to work globally, focus on the community and give back to Philly,” Delacruz said.
Cabrini has a message of education of the heart and Delacruz want to project that around the world and especially to her community. She is already inspiring her friends around her.
“She believes everyone should know their rights,” junior physchology major Aundrece Powell said.”She likes to make a difference and help out everywhere she goes.”
“I was not very knowledgeable on the issues on social justice but after listening to Mariel, it inspired me to inspire other people to help out in the community,” Powell said.
Delacruz expressed that it’s not for everybody; to dedicate their time to focusing on the issues of social justice. But to have the knowledge is important and you’ll find yourself practicing what you’ve learned in your everyday life.
“We adapt what we learn and put it in our everyday lives,” Delacruz said.
Social justice can be a conversation starter. Since raising awareness to the issues is a big part of Cabrini’s mission. Having jobs and events to do that is something every student can be a part of.
Delacruz believes the message of education of the heart is an important motive to preventing certain issues regarding social justice. From experience educating people on what not do and giving them an outlet is effective. “Education is the way out,” Mariel Delacruz said.
@Najah_Mag
