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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 Bridgewater State University’s commitment to social justice.

At BSU, 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 BSU alumni.

Featured Opportunities

BSU students are invited to volunteer with MRISJ at Sharing the Harvest community farm on April 20th in celebration of Earth Day! Transportation and lunch will be provided. Volunteers will work on the farm to plant produce and prepare the fields for harvest.

All the food that is produced on the farm is provided to local anti-hunger networks to serve individuals experiencing food insecurity.

The MRISJ Civic Speaker Series presents The Aftermath of Fast Fashion! Join us on Thursday, April 18th for a special panel discussion with the minds behind Aftermath, a large-scale multi-media sculpture and art advocacy collaboration.

Panelists will discuss the disastrous impact of clothing donations to other countries, putting boycotting and ‘buycotting’ into action, the power of art as advocacy, and much more.

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 Bridgewater State University 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 BSU 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

Launch Martin Richard’s Legacy

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