Student: Thomas Crabtree

Thomas Crabtree

He/Him/His
Junior - Environmental Policy major, Environmental Communication and Urban Studies minors

Where are you from?
Annapolis, Maryland

How are you involved in Community Service & Action?
I went to the IFTJ with CSA last fall where the group attended an inspiring conference on social justice issues and met with congressional offices to advocate for environmental justice and immigration reform legislation.

Tell us about your internship while you are studying in Rome.
I am studying abroad at the JFRC and interning with the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat. The secretariat is a part of the Jesuit Curia in Rome, which is basically the global Jesuit headquarters. Our office reports to Fr. General, the elected leader of the Society of Jesus, on what the Jesuits are doing to promote social and environmental justice. The office coordinates four Global Ignatian Advocacy Networks (GIANs) on four of the core social justice issues important to the Society: Right to Education, Ecology, Migration, and Justice in Mining.

In my role, I specifically focus on supporting the office’s work on integral ecology. A couple of my main projects have included developing a policy brief on the outcomes of the COP28 climate change negotiations, highlighting the role of faith-based organizations, and creating a presentation on waste management and reduction in the European Union.

The internship has been an amazing opportunity for professional development while learning more about the Ignatian approach to social justice. Social justice issues exist throughout the world, and it can often be overwhelming to think about addressing these problems, because they will not be solved overnight. But through this experience, I have learned about the far-reaching network of Jesuits and their mission partners that continue the fight for social justice, and that gives me hope.

Why do you engage in the community?
Just as the ecosystems around us sustain us, the communities of people that surround us support and impact us in countless ways. The communities I belong to have provided me with countless blessings and have made me into who I am as a person. Engaging with the community can come in many different forms, but I feel strongly that I ought to give back to the network of people who have supported me. In the same way, I know I did not get to where I am today by myself, and I think it is important that people embrace the natural interconnectedness of humans by engaging with their community in whatever way makes sense for them.

What is one of your favorite stories from your community engagement experiences?
The advocacy day during the 2023 IFTJ was an incredibly impactful day for me. Environmental advocacy is something I am very passionate about and the opportunity to take my passion to Capitol Hill was incredibly empowering. The experience emboldened my commitment to advocating for environmental justice and sparked a deeper appreciation for the Ignatian approach to social justice.

In the spirit of Sr. Jean and her belief in the goodness of people that she shares in her book, “Wake Up With Purpose,” where have you seen the goodness of others in your community engagement experiences?
Environmental advocacy and addressing social justice issues can be difficult topics to engage with and can be very tolling. The goodness of others that I have witnessed is what keeps me motivated and allows me to continue this uphill battle. My classmates in SES, fellow SEA members, and people I meet at the Eco-Warriors Eco-Anxiety meetings never fail to inspire me. The goodness I see in them and their work is what sustains me.

How are you involved at Loyola outside of CSA?
I am a member of the Student Environmental Alliance, Restoration Club, and was previously an intern with the Office of Sustainability before going abroad. I am also passionate about Eco-Spirituality and was a retreat leader on the inaugural LEAF retreat!

What is your favorite place at Loyola’s Rome campus?
I love to spend sunny days on the fourth-floor terrace or laying out on one of the grassy lawns by the olive grove.

What tips do you have for students hoping to study abroad?
Make sure to plan ahead and meet with your academic advisor to make it happen! It can be difficult to arrange for many reasons, but it is a life-changing experience.