COLLECTIVES

A SCHOOL FOR LIBERATION PROGRAM

We recognize that communities across the United States are working hard to learn about justice but getting involved in this work can feel daunting and lonely. It doesn’t have to be.

We're here for you, we'll march beside you, and change the world with you.

We are delighted to invite you to join a collective(s) of people that will work together to learn and engage their communities in conversations about justice — educating and guiding teams of students in developing both a philosophy and a praxis for justice work.

Students will strengthen knowledge & skills related to collective focus. The Collectives are online groups dedicated to a specific work or issue. This year’s collectives are — Discernment, Climate Justice, and Community Organizing.

Registration will open Sept 1. If you have questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to email AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez at contact@anayelsi.com.

TWO WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Discernment

Learn More

Climate Justice

Learn More

Collective participation requires a one-year commitment. Classes will be held once a month from February-May and September through December.

LEARNING GOALS

Relationship

Students will build relationships and establish a network of people committed to the same work.

Knowledge

Students will strengthen knowledge and skill related to a collective focus.

Action

Students will learn how to translate knowledge into action via participation in "show up" events.

Each Collective, regardless of theme and topic, will equip students to address injustice in their own community and address the following:

PRICING

Individual

$ 175
  • Individual Registration
Scholarships available upon request.
Popular

Small Group

$175
$ 150
  • Great for groups of 3-5 people
Scholarships available upon request.

Large Group

$175
$ 100
  • Great for groups of 6+ people
Scholarships available upon request.
Best Value

TESTIMONIALS

"The monthly community organizing “teach-ins” are a great benefit to our cohort of three local congregations who have come together to find ways to work for social justice. The classes are giving us structure and techniques to help us develop a vision, set goals, take passion to action, and create partnerships and relationships with like-minded groups and individuals. This faith-based work is hard, but with the support and hope offered by this course, we have new tools to take our projects to the next level in an inclusive and open way."
Ann DiPlacito2021 Collectives Participant
"Each session has been a thought provoking experience about the way we can move through the margins in a more authentic and effective way that honors God’s people. I am both challenged and changed by our time together. "
Laura Siriani2021 Collectives Participant
I am surprised and happy I have been to share real intimacy in the sharing during our class, and we prayed for each other between classes. Many people believe a virtual class is cold or distant. In fact, we formed a close bond among our class and I look forward to each month's time together. We are tuning in from different parts of the country but we quickly formed a loving circle of sharing and caring for each other.
Jennie Gosche2021 Collective Participant
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Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Festival Center is located in Washington DC and we are committed to serving the DMV area but are excited to expand our relationships across the country. All of our collectives are hosted online and do not require relocation.

Classes will begin in January 2023. Specific dates to be determined.

A collective includes one orientation meeting, seven classes, two salons, three community check ins, and two show up events. These events are separated into a winter and fall semester. The winter semester will run from January to May and will include orientation, four classes, one salon, one check-in, and one show up event. The fall semester will run from September to November and will include 3 classes, one salon, one check-in, and one show up event. There will also be one check-in during the summer break.

While sharing knowledge and building skills is a large component of the Collectives program, relationships are the key. You are expected to participate in two 90-minute collective salons (one in May and one in November). It is an opportunity to build trust and a sense of community. Unlike your seven classes, these sessions are organic and the students determine the direction of the conversation.

You are expected to participate in three community group check-ins during your collective: an onboarding call, a mid-year check-in, and an off-boarding call. The onboarding call will occur at the beginning of the first semester, the mid-year check-in will occur during the break between semesters, and the offboarding call will occur during the end of the semester.

The purpose of these calls is to offer groups a chance to discuss how the work the collective has been doing can be applied to their context. 

While people are encouraged to join collectives as a group, there will be some individual registrants. In this case, individuals will be combined as a community group and schedule their call together.

A “Show Up” event is how we refer to opportunities to take the knowledge from the collective and put it into action. Each semester, you will be encouraged to get involved in your local community. Your collective’s educator will suggest events with DC for local residents. If the event is local to DC, a staff member of the Festival Center may be able to attend as support. For students outside of DC, you are encouraged to find a comparable event in your area.

There is no application process. Anyone is welcome to register.

Yes, please reach out. We can set up flexible payment plans and discuss scholarships on a case by case basis.

Congratulations, we are looking forward to having you join us. You will hear from a team member with an acknowledgement of your registration and requesting any additional information that may be needed.