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Melodi hails from Victoria, British Columbia. Her interest in social justice has its roots in a longstanding concern for disadvantaged minority groups, particularly where ethnic dynamics play a significant role.

Out of her interest in culture and diversity, Melodi completed a BA in International Studies at Trinity Western University with a focus on global policy. She spent her final semester in Ottawa – an experience that broadened her understanding of public policy and social justice issues here in Canada.

To balance her in-class education, Melodi has spent time volunteering abroad in Switzerland, Morocco and Uganda. At home, Melodi has kept herself grounded by working with children through the local evangelical church community. She has directed multiple programs for inner-city kids in the Victoria and Vancouver regions, giving her exposure to the plight of some of Canada’s most vulnerable citizens.

Aware of great needs in Canada and inspired by God’s heart for the poor and oppressed, Melodi is excited to seek public justice in a new capacity at CPJ.

Melodi loves theatre, cooking, and going for long walks pretty much anywhere – an interest that will serve her well as she embarks on life as a pedestrian in Ottawa.

Growing up in a small town outside of Kitchener-Waterloo Jenny has always had an interest in politics and social justice. Combined with her Catholic upbringing and strong respect and belief in the Catholic Social Teachings, she has often looked for areas in which her faith could come together with her belief in more progressive politics.

These interests led her to King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario where she recently completed a double major in Political Science and Social Justice and Peace Studies. Through her program, Jenny traveled to places like Ukraine and Guatemala, where her commitment to social justice issues was reinforced, and her belief that community is central to overcoming them was reaffirmed.

Jenny has learned a great deal about people with disabilities, encouraged by her experience in Ukraine and volunteer opportunities in London (ON).  This interest and the help of some excellent professors led her to a job with L’Arche Canada writing content for a website for youth with intellectual disabilities on forming lasting social connections. While Jenny will always have a passion for disability issues, she is also looking forward to a chance to widen her knowledge of social issues, particularly in the Canadian sphere.

Jenny enjoys rollerblading, reading excessively, and spending time with her friends and family.

Rebekah is a native of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and so brings an East Coast perspective to CPJ’s office. She was raised in a home where political participation was strongly encouraged (if not required!), and where the role of faith in such actions was emphasized. From a young age, this foundation transpired into a passion for social justice and human rights which has shaped many of her activities and interests.

Throughout university, Rebekah pursued these interests by focusing her studies on conflict, crimes against humanity, and human rights, both at the undergraduate and the graduate levels. In 2006 she completed a BA in history from the University of New Brunswick focusing on the Holocaust and genocide studies. This past spring, she graduated from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa with an MA in International Affairs, focusing on transitional societies and the challenges for picking up the pieces in the aftermath of war or poor governance.

In between these two programs, Rebekah spent a year in Rwanda working as an intern with the faith-based NGO African Enterprise. She worked on a variety of projects, including ethnic reconciliation, community development, and education. She found the experience was invaluable in shaping her life and interests to what they are today.

Rebekah currently attends St. George’s Anglican Church in Ottawa. In her spare time she enjoys biking and walking by the Rideau Canal, reading, and relaxing with friends.

Mariel is delighted to be this year’s policy intern and is looking forward to working with the staff at CPJ on issues of public justice.

Mariel grew up in Ottawa and attended the University of Guelph, where she recently graduated with a B.A. (Honours) in International Development. During that time, she spent a semester abroad at the University of Havana, where she studied Cuban social development and urban agriculture. Her research interests during her degree included electoral participation and public health policy in the Americas.

Mariel’s passion for social justice issues was sparked when she travelled to Jamaica on a poverty-awareness trip during high school. Inspired by what she experienced there, she has since worked with a number of volunteer organizations on social justice issues, both in Canada and overseas.

She is excited to be a part of the CPJ team and is looking forward to meeting members of the CPJ community in the coming year.

In her spare time, Mariel enjoys running, reading and going for coffee with friends. She attends First United Church.