Are you concerned about the impact of environmental injustice on your community and ready to explore ways to take meaningful action?

During this time of collective confrontation with systemic racism in the midst of the deepening climate crisis, the Passionist Earth and Spirit Center is convening a cohort of high school students across the Louisville area who are interested in a 14-week paid internship that explores the intersection of environmental justice and the spiritual (not religious) dimensions of ecology.

“Environmental justice is the movement to ensure that no community suffers disproportionate environmental burdens or goes without enjoying fair environmental benefits.” - Van Jones

“Spiritual Ecology is an exploration of the spiritual dimension of our present ecological crisis. At the core of Spiritual Ecology is an understanding that our present outer ecological crisis is a reflection of an inner spiritual crisis.” - Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee

Working at this intersection, students will be supported in examining the root causes of injustice and ecological destruction in their communities while exploring their own sense of spirituality. Together, we will learn from experienced community organizers working in this space and engage in workshops to deepen our connection to the natural world.

These immersive educational and workshop experiences will support students in collaboratively creating video projects of their choice that highlight issues related to environmental injustice through a spiritual ecology lens. These video projects will allow students to practice storytelling as a form of activism that amplifies the voices of their fellow community members to push for meaningful change.

We are looking for high school juniors and seniors of diverse backgrounds, skills and beliefs from across the Louisville area to comprise this cohort. No prior experience or knowledge on the subject is necessary, although video production/editing skills are helpful. We welcome all spiritual identities, including all religious, Indigenous, agnostic, atheist, secular and other beliefs. This internship will support you in exploring your own spiritual identity in relationship to the natural world.

This 14-week process will take place during the fall semester and participants will receive a $500 stipend for their work. Students can expect to spend 3-6 hours per week on this internship. We will follow all forthcoming social distancing procedures as outlined by JCPS for the fall semester. In-person sessions will be held outdoors at the Center if possible, or online sessions will be held via video conference (please note in your application if you need access to a computer or tablet).

Deadline for applications is August 31st, 2021.

Email tim@earthandspiritcenter.org with questions.

The mission of the Passionist Earth and Spirit Center is to cultivate an interfaith community of transformative learning and service, committed to spiritual development, social compassion, and care for the Earth. Our numerous programs strive to manifest our vision of a single, sacred Earth community in which all members flourish.