Judy Glick likens B’nai B’rith Courage to Care, a humble community organisation committed to tackling social injustice, to the “mouse that roared”.
A not-for-profit based in Melbourne, Courage to Care aims to empower individuals, particularly students, to stand up against prejudice, discrimination and racism, and advocate for acceptance and inclusion.
For Judy, a funder at Australian Communities Foundation and Courage to Care’s Volunteer Development Coordinator and Vice-Chair, it was just the cause she wanted to support after retiring in 2017.
“I always knew that volunteering would be part of retirement. I volunteered at my kids’ childcare centre when they were young, and at the Jewish Museum. I’ve been involved with Glen Iris City Council as a volunteer on their Environmental Advisory Committee. So, volunteering has always been a thread in my life,” says Judy.
“My parents always made donations to a whole range of different causes. It’s something that I believe in. … I usually have an environmental stream for my giving because this is a passion of mine.”
Her love of the natural world shone through during her role as a science and biology secondary school teacher, as it did during her 20-year stint at CERES Community Environment Park, a not-for-profit environmental education centre.
I always knew that volunteering would be part of retirement. … It’s something that I believe in
Judy helmed numerous roles at CERES Community Environment Park over the years, including positions as an Education Manager, Green Technology Manager, and Chair of the Sustainability Projects Steering Committee.
While the environment is undoubtedly where her heart lies, following the encouragement of a friend Judy began volunteering at Courage to Care after retiring, helping increase their impact by bringing in additional resources through grants.
Judy says she was delighted to have the opportunity to put her experience in fundraising and strategic thinking to work for the organisation.
“I believe in the power of education,” Judy says.
“I thought, ‘this is good. You know, I’ve done a lot of grant writing and can contribute.”’
Courage to Care relies on grants and donations to provide free Upstander Education Programs in Victorian primary and secondary schools. During the program, highly trained, engaging facilitators advise students on how to stand up against injustice in all its forms and inspire them to take progressive action in their communities.
The Upstander Program was established as an accompaniment to a World War II exhibition at the Jewish Museum of Australia in 1992 and spotlights real-life acts of bravery. It also teaches individuals how to change their mindset from ‘bystander’ to ‘Upstander’ and encourages equality, respect, and diversity.
The school incursion program inspires kids to challenge unhelpful bystander behaviour by speaking up when safe to do so, effectively creating a more inclusive, accepting next generation.
To do this, Courage to Care usually pays homage to its roots and begins each Upstander Program with a powerful talk from a Holocaust survivor or descendant.
“TWII exhibition highlighted people that stood up during the Nazi regime in Europe. … And they very often put their families at risk. They weren’t prepared to sit and watch incredible injustice or terror take place,” Judy explains.
“We’ll start with a little verbal introduction and a bit of background on the Holocaust. Just so the children can understand how brave these upstanders were, what they were risking, and what needed to be done.”
These survivors or speakers candidly detail their personal experiences of being defended by ordinary individuals with the strength and courage to take a stand in the face of adversity.
“This is a very powerful thing, and it’s very emotional. Increasingly, survivors aren’t around so their children become custodian speakers to tell the stories of their parents,” Judy says.
Children can understand how brave these upstanders were, what they were risking, and what needed to be done.
“There are usually a couple of images in the background. They explain ‘This was what my mother looked like at that time’. That sort of thing. So, we start with that hook. It really gets them in — you can hear a pin drop.”
Once engaged in the program, facilitators break the kids into groups of 10 or 12 and discuss relatable, current, or important injustices in the students’ lives, such as schoolyard or online bullying, and possible Upstander responses.
“It’s not just telling them, it’s asking everybody,” Judy notes. “What we do in the programs is talk about all the possible ways you could lessen the injustice. … Stand up, do something about it, and teach —- that’s what the program is.
“If you see a kid being bullied and you’re scared to say anything yourself, go up afterwards and say, ‘I didn’t agree with what they said’. It’s a good thing to do without jeopardising social standing or anything like that. It’s got a lot of meaning.”
What we do in the programs is talk about all the possible ways you could lessen the injustice. Stand up, do something about it, and teach — that’s what the program is.
The Upstander Program has been delivered to 142,000 students, with Courage to Care ambitiously aiming to reach a further 30,000 as part of its 30/30 Vision campaign.
This will culminate in a week-long 30th-anniversary celebration and appeal, beginning from 24 May – 3 June. Workshops and special events will be running at the ARK Centre in Hawthorn East for all to attend.
The appeal will raise funds to cover the cost of overheads so Courage to Care can continue to offer its program in both primary and secondary schools free of charge. Additionally, funds will go towards developing a social enterprise, which Judy is currently working on.
While known for its school incursions, the social change program is also available for groups of all sizes and ages, with Courage to Care’s corporate educational workshop launched in 2018.
Courage to Care customises the Upstander Program to the individual booking, however its key message is always abundantly clear in workshops, leaving participants motivated to make a positive difference in their communities: “Ordinary people can do extraordinary things.”
Learn more about volunteering with Courage to Care or make a donation.
Interested in attending Courage to Care’s 30th birthday celebration? Read more about it here.