What is the typical schedule of a day in Trenton?

Participants arrive at our St. James campus to check in on Sunday evening at 6:30pm of the program week. The first evening consists of a tour of the host facility, an introduction to the week’s events/program staff, icebreaker/community building activities and discussions, and concludes with prayer and reflection.

Participants will have daily opportunities to reflect on experiences, share with peers, and learn about ways in which they can live out the faith through service to others. Participants will also have many opportunities to engage in faith experiences during the course of the week.  The JusticeworX experience comes to a close on Saturday after lunch and a closing activity/prayer service.

NOTE: Depending on programming content, each evening’s schedule may vary. Times are not concrete, just typical. Programming may include speakers, outings, tours, and other activities that would impact the schedule shown.

What does a week at JusticeworX Trenton cost?

JusticeworX Trenton is $650 per participant. This is an all-inclusive fee that covers food, lodging, transportation during the week, service site set up, 24-hour staff, program content and activities, materials, and much, much more.

Where do participants stay? What do sleeping/shower arrangements look like?

St. James parish is our Trenton campus retreat space used to house our FaithJustice Fellows throughout the academic year and is home to our Trenton JusticeworX program each summer. Sleeping will be on bunk-able cots located in bedrooms, number in rooms will vary depending on room size, and rooms will be separated by gender. Participants may choose who to share a room with, but this request is not always guaranteed. There are also times when a group leader has set up room placements in advance for closed groups. Participants do not need to bring an air mattress, but will need a sleeping bag or bedding and pillow.

There are separate, private shower areas for males and females at the retreat space.

How do the meals work?

All food, for all meals, will be provided for the participants; small groups will take turns preparing dinner each night for the whole group. We review food allergy information/dietary restrictions on the registration forms for each week and provide reasonable accommodations to the best of our ability. Each participant is asked to bring a snack to share with the whole group.

What are the departure and arrival times? What does transportation involve?

Participants should arrive at St. James at 6:30pm on Sunday of the program week. The program ends on Friday at 7:00pm at which time participants can be picked up from the host site. We arrange all transportation to work sites and any off-site activities during the week.

Where will the participants be serving during JusticeworX Trenton?

Service sites are generally located within 20 minutes of the host facility, typically closer – some even in walking distance from the retreat space. In recent years, agencies have included day care centers, housing rehabilitation sites, soup kitchens, food pantries, community gardening programs, day programs for adults with developmental disabilities, and senior care centers among others.

When selecting service sites, safety is always our first priority. All service sites are managed by agencies with which we have developed a previous working relationship. Our second condition is that they serve populations in need. While many sites work with those who are economically poor, we also work with sites who serve those poor in spirit, loneliness, etc. and fulfill our call to serve through the Corporal Works of Mercy. Check out our partners page.

What do participants need to bring?

NOTE: It is very important that participants PACK LIGHTLY. It is strongly encouraged that participants only bring what is included on the packing list. Simple living is highly encouraged during the week, especially in terms of packing materials.

When packing, remember to choose clothing that you would want to wear in 90+ degree weather (sometimes humid). Please bring appropriate attire, no spaghetti strap tank tops or short shorts (shorts must be no shorter than 3″ above the knee; leggings are typically acceptable). Our dress code requirements often come from our service site partners.

NOTE: It is very important that participants PACK LIGHTLY. It is strongly encouraged that participants only bring what is included on the packing list. Simple living is highly encouraged during the week, especially in terms of packing materials.

When packing, remember to choose clothing that you would want to wear in 90+ degree weather (sometimes humid). Please bring appropriate attire, no spaghetti strap tank tops or short shorts (shorts must be no shorter than 3″ above the knee; leggings are typically acceptable). Our dress code requirements often come from our service site partners.

Participation is open to any student who has completed a year of high school in the past academic year. All levels of experience are welcome, whether the participant has a long history of service or has never done service of any kind before!

Note: Appalachia is limited to upperclassmen only (students who have completed sophomore, junior, or senior year in the past academic year). It is also suggested the Appalachia trips are not a participant’s first experience with an overnight service-immersion program.

No. JusticeworX is a program formed in the Catholic Christian tradition. The Catholic faith guides our understanding of social justice and informs our prayer experience and program content. JusticeworX is also designed to be an open and welcoming experience for anyone wishing to live a life rooted in the Gospel call to serve. We happily welcome participants from various Christian backgrounds and those outside the Christian tradition interested in learning more.

JusticeworX is an all-inclusive program, offering services unlike any other service program. JusticeworX includes a staff at a ratio of 6:1, all vehicle transportation (no need to rent your own vans!), housing, all meals, service site setup for Monday through Friday, and educational/catechetical programming and content creation customized to each program location.

Yes. In some cases, the Center for FaithJustice is able to offer financial assistance. Participants seeking financial assistance please contact Maggie Smith for more information.

JusticeworX is staffed by a team of enthusiastic and professional facilitators along with young adults who are passionate about working with youth. Most of our staff are a part of the unique LeaderworX community composed of incredible young adults dedicated to a life of faith, service, and justice. All worX staff teams are led by Team Leaders comprised of ministry professionals who coordinate the day-to-day activities of all our participants. On some program weeks, full time staff from CFJ as well as individual volunteers from our partner parishes and schools, will join the worX team! We welcome you to learn more about how YOU might be able to join the program staff. Contact Maggie Smith for more information.

Yes. All of our staff are background checked and undergo VIRTUS child protection training as per the national guidelines of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Our participant to staff ratio is 6:1 or better at all times. Safety is constant, both in staff training and daily supervision from staff members.

Service sites vary depending on which of the JusticeworX programs participants attend. You can see a running list of many of our trusted service site partners by clicking HERE.

Groups and individuals must arrange for their own transportation to and from the host facility where the groups will be staying during their program week. We do not have the space at the CASA or any of our partner host facilities to allow for participants to leave a vehicle throughout the week. Once participants arrive at the JusticeworX host site, we arrange for transportation to and from service sites throughout the week. Transportation varies based on program location and may include 7-8 passenger vehicles (Down the Shore and Appalachia) or 7-8 passenger vehicles and public transportation (Trenton and Philadelphia) and in some cases, service sites may be within walking distance of the host site or take place on the property of the host site. Appalachia trips will meet at the Center for FaithJustice in Lawrenceville, NJ for drop off and pick up, unless otherwise planned by your specific group.

JusticeworX attempts to accommodate students with various physical and mental/emotional differences when possible. Parents/guardians are invited to call and speak with our staff to determine if the required support of a particular youth exceeds the ability of program staff. Parents/guardians must notify staff via the medical information section of the registration form if their child suffers from any physical, dietary, behavioral, or emotional disorders. This is of the utmost importance for the safety of all individuals on our programs!

CFJ requires that all prescription medications be monitored by our staff while your child is on program with us. In the weeks leading up to your participants’ program, you will receive a form through which you can report any medication or health concerns you feel CFJ staff should be made aware of before your child joins us. Before their program week begins, your child’s Team Leader will receive the information you provide in a confidential form. This will allow them to prepare in advance and best accompany your child throughout the week. Medications are to be checked in with our staff when you sign your child in at the program drop-off. We ask that you also report any non-prescription medications that your child takes on a regular basis or will need to take during the program week.

Please make sure that your child’s medication container is clearly marked and labeled. Using a separate sheet of paper, please provide concise directions that include the names of medications, required dosage, and an intake schedule which will be handed over to the team leader at check-in. Please note that failure to indicate, in writing, all prescriptions and non-prescription medications a youth participant is currently taking may result in dismissal from the program. This policy is consistent with that of other summer camps throughout New Jersey and helps our staff prevent substance abuse or potential injury.

In the event of an emergency back home, parents/guardians may call the Center for FaithJustice hotline at 609-498-6216 x1 and office staff will notify program staff on location. If there is emergency onsite, staff is equipped with participants’ waiver forms with emergency contact information and will notify persons listed on the form. Please ONLY use this number for true emergencies as it will ring 24/7 during program weeks and bounce to our staff office and personal cell phones until it is answered.

In the event of a general schedule conflict, you are encouraged to contact your school/parish contact person to inform them so space may be made available for anyone on a wait list for that program. You are also encouraged to email Maggie Smith regarding the possibility of switching to another program week.

Before June 1, participants will receive a full refund minus the $100 deposit fee for cancellations. After June 1, refunds will not be given to participants who cancel their registration. If for any reason you need to cancel your registration, please contact Maggie Smith.

Before June 1, participants will receive a full refund minus the $100 deposit fee for cancellations. After June 1, refunds will not be given to participants who cancel their registration. If for any reason you need to cancel your registration, please contact Maggie Smith.