Apply Now!

Operation Understanding DC (OUDC) is beginning to recruit students for its Social Justice Fellowship program for high school juniors which will begin in September and last through the end of the school year. 

Click here to apply!

OUDC is a 30-year old non-profit organization based in the Washington DC region whose mission is to create a generation of community leaders who promote respect, understanding and cooperation while fighting to eradicate racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination. 

In this program you will: 

    • Meet with and learn from Civil Rights leaders and current movement leaders
    • Meet regularly with your cohort to learn about the histories, religions, and cultures of Black, Jewish, and other historically oppressed communities
    • Build lifelong friendships
    • Visit important civil rights historical sites and receive training in important leadership skills, including public speaking, leading facilitations and writing

We are looking for students who will be high school juniors in September 2024, are interested in learning about the historic and current civil rights movement, want to explore their own identity and personal journey, and are eager to create change and promote social justice.

We are excited to embark on the next full year program to begin in the fall. We will be accepting applications until Friday, May 17th.

Commitment

The strength of OUDC’s program relies on the commitment of our students. Participants must be: open to different opinions and ideas; enthusiastic about contributing honestly and respectfully; and able to attend all of the programming components planned for the year.

Selection Process

Initial applications will be reviewed the week of May 17th. Selected finalists will take part in an interview by a committee consisting of volunteers, board members, peers, and staff which will  be held at George Mason University's Arlington Campus on Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd.

If you have any questions, please email Xochi Cartland, Program Coordinator, at XCartlan@gmu.edu, or call her at 207-535-7278.