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Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice

A Catalyst for Social Justice

The mission of the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice is to build knowledge about social justice, to develop skills for advancing social justice through individual and collective action, and to serve as a catalyst for actualizing °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û’s commitment to social justice.

At °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û, we believe that social justice requires individual and collective action to ensure fairness in pursuit of opportunities, freedom from oppression and the equitable distribution of resources. Fairness, freedom from oppression and equitable distribution of resources are all grounded in the same basic principle: that all human beings have equal dignity and worth.

The Institute for Social Justice was established in 2011 and renamed in honor of Martin Richard in 2015. Eight year old Martin was one of three people killed, while hundreds of others were injured, by bombs at the Boston Marathon in 2013. Martin’s parents, Bill and Denise Richard, are °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û alumni.

Upcoming Events

Featured Opportunities

Calling all °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û students! Help MRISJ kick off the year with service at our annual Bears Fighting Hunger service project on Saturday, September 7th! Honoring 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, volunteers will serve with End Hunger New England to pack 25,000 meals for people experiencing food insecurity in southeastern MA. 

Students can sign up now on Engage°ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û!

The MRISJ Civic Speaker Series presentedThe Aftermath of Fast Fashion! Panelists joined us at °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û on Thursday, April 18th for a discussion about the origin of Aftermath, a large-scale multi-media sculpture and art advocacy collaboration.

Panelists discussed the disastrous impact of clothing donations to other countries, ‘buycotting’, the power of art as advocacy, and much more.

Folks are encouraged to stop by the exhibit in the RSU Foyer from now through May 17th.

The MRISJ thanks Santander Bank for its generous support of the Civic Speaker Series.

Our Programs

The Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice encourages members of the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û community to become life-long engaged citizens in our local, regional, national and global communities through serving their community.

MRISJ Justice Fellows are undergraduate students, hired as °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û student employees, and work 10 hours per week throughout the academic year. Fellows are paired with a nonprofit organization or campus-based initiative. 

Virtual Tour Stop — Martin Richard Statue

Student & Faculty Resources

General Community Resources

We have compiled a variety of useful resources available to anyone looking for help.

See all additional resources »

Featured News

Featured News

More Social Justice News »
Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice
Two women use a saw and hammer
Serving the Community
A large turnout marks 20th annual MLK Day of Service 
Social Justice
A headshot of Mitzy in front of a white background
Meet Newest Newman Fellow

Mitzy Duarte Chavarin, ’24, seeks to help immigrant families like her own

Martin Richard Institute of Social Justice
Tyeisha Gilchrist stands in front of lockers with award saying she is first Martin Richard Foundation scholar
In Martin's Honor
Student humbled to receive Martin Richard scholarship
Social Justice
Students and children in red shirts help pack bags of food
Honoring MLK

Campus to host service projects to commemorate MLK holiday

Social Justice
Jane Richard cuts a red ribbon in front of the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice's new home/
A Home for Social Justice
Martin Richard Institute to occupy newly renovated Summer Street building

Contact Us

Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice

161 Summer Street
Bridgewater, MA 02325
United States