2022 HATFIELD PRIZE REPORTS
Removing Barriers to Food Security Among Refugees in Buffalo, New York by Grace Retz and Michael Ritter, Ph.D. (Houghton University)
Retz and Ritter’s research focuses on the impact of language barriers, and lack of access to transportation as causes of refugee food insecurity in Buffalo, New York. Their research highlights the experiences of food-insecure refugee families and makes recommendations for how government and civil society institutions, including faith communities, can better support refugee families.
A Better Way: Youth Diversion as an Alternative to Juvenile Probation in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania by Kyle Chu and Jason Renn, Ph.D. (Messiah university)
Chu and Renn’s research examines youth diversion and prevention models that keep young people in their communities, as well as models that provide restorative, holistic support. Chu’s research highlights the need for juvenile justice reform and offers recommendations for government and civil society institutions, including faith-based organizations and houses of worship, to partner together for the flourishing of youth and their communities.
Refugee Families’ Access to Culturally Competent Child Care Services with Focus on the Refugee Population in Clarkston, Georgia by Rachel Smith and Piljoo Kang, Ph.D. (Toccoa Falls College)
Smith and Kang’s research looks at the accessibility, affordability, and quality of child care for refugee families through localized research in Clarkston, Georgia. Their research provides recommendations for government and civil society institutions, including faith communities, that contribute to economic opportunity, stability, and culturally competent, high quality child care for refugee families.
ABOUT THE HATFIELD PRIZE
The Hatfield Prize is awarded annually to three student-faculty pairs from Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) schools. Recipients conduct research on social policies that impact vulnerable children, families, and communities, and explore the impact of these policies in their local communities. This semester-long research project culminates in three policy reports that make recommendations for both government and civil society institutions in contributing to policies that promote flourishing communities. The Prize honors the legacy of the late Senator Mark O. Hatfield, who served as a United States senator from Oregon for three decades. Hatfield was known for his principled Christian faith and for his commitment to working across difference to find common ground.
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC JUSTICE
Shared Justice is an initiative of The Center for Public Justice. The Center for Public Justice (CPJ) is an independent, nonpartisan organization devoted to policy research and civic education. Working outside the familiar political categories of right and left, conservative and liberal, we seek to help citizens and public officeholders respond to God's call to do justice. Our mission is to equip citizens, develop leaders, and shape policy in pursuit of our purpose to serve God, advance justice, and transform public life.
WITH THANKS
The Hatfield Prize is made possible through the generosity of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. We thank them for their support, but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions presented in these reports are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of these foundations.
