The Goodis Center operates a variety of programs in furtherance of our mission. This page provides a non-exhaustive introduction to our programs and efforts.
Global Programs
- Research
- The Goodis Center supports research efforts on topics relating to our mission. These efforts have included directly conducting research through our staff and volunteers, as well as providing research support services for independent researchers (including students and aspiring researchers). As a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary organization, we conduct and support social science, law and policy, humanities, and scientific research.
- Education and Awareness
- Our website and social media presence are designed to raise awareness of topics relating to our mission, as well as to offer a clearinghouse service where people can find information syndicated from various sources.
- Our research programs also support the education and awareness goals of The Goodis Center, bringing current research to the public.
- Through the development and dissemination of educational materials and curricula, we are working to promote education on human rights, social justice, and environmental matters for audiences from elementary school to college and beyond.
- Advocacy
- Our research sometimes includes research into public policy and social policy. While this research is conducted objectively, the findings may point towards reforms which would be consistent with our goals of supporting human rights, social justice, and environmental matters. We also keep current with research broadly, including research from other institutions and independent researchers which may implicate policy reforms consistent with our mission and goals. Generally speaking, we share such information through our education and awareness programs. On rare occasions, we will go further and share petitions or other calls to action or engage in other forms of advocacy in furtherance of our mission. This part of our programs dates back to the Mason-Dixon Darfur Alliance, when founder Robert Goodis circulated petitions and encouraged attendance at the Rally to Stop Genocide in Washington, D.C., in 2006.
Local Programs in Maryland
- Direct Action
- The Goodis Center was founded as a center “for Research and Reform” as a guidepost for its activities. Research, education, awareness, and advocacy have always had a central role in our programs; however, our programs never stopped there. We recognize that the world faces unprecedented challenges to human rights, social justice, and the environment, and direct action is necessary to fulfill our mission in many areas. Though we do not yet have a permanent platform for direct action, we have engaged in direct action over the years by organizing volunteers to participate in programs to support the homeless and combat homelessness, litter cleanup efforts, ecological restoration efforts, and other such programs. While we continue these efforts, The Goodis Center is also working on plans for a more formal program to engage the community in direct action.
- Sponsorship and Support
- The Goodis Center is always on the lookout for people and groups who are making a difference in our major areas of concern (such as human rights, social justice, and environmental matters). When such programs come to our attention, we are ready to offer our support. Whether it is something as simple as sharing a link on our website and social media, or something more substantive such as collaborating on research or direct action efforts, or even arranging a fiscal sponsorship under our nonprofit umbrella, The Goodis Center is committed to supporting efforts of others that align with our mission statement.
If you are interested in getting involved with any of our projects — or helping with our website overhaul — please read more about how to support our programs.