2020 Impact

Like most organizations, Operation Understanding DC (OUDC) was significantly impacted by the global pandemic in 2020. OUDC's Social Justice Fellowship Class 26 began as an in-person program. However at the onset of the outbreak in the US, OUDC urgently focused its attention on shifting the annual Social Justice Fellowship program to a completely virtual format for the first time since its founding in 1993. At the same time, OUDC was required to suspend most activities related to its vision of expanding programmatic offerings to more audiences. 

Despite these challenges, OUDC Class 26 reported significant impacts as a result of their participation in the 2020 Social Justice Fellowship. Overall, Fellows reported an increase in their social justice knowledge and leadership skills. In addition, 100% of Fellows said they believe it's possible for them to help advance social justice. The data collected from the 2020 program evaluation will be used to inform the development of the 2021 program, which will also be in a virtual format.