Principles

 

  • An intimate link between the religious and social dimensions of life.
  • The dignity of the human person
  • Option for the poor
  • A link between love and justice
  • Promotion of the Common Good
  • Importance of political participation
  • Economic Justice
  • Stewardship
  • Global Solidarity
  • Promotion of Peace

 

 

 

Justice does not just happen.

It is born of struggle. 

Greg Speltz

 

 

 

Quest Founders

 

 

Greg Speltz retired from his position as Assistant to the Director of Catholic Social Services in LaCrosse, WI in 1986.  Mary had already retired from teaching high school.  Although retired, they had no intention of heading for the rocking chairs.  Greg and Mary committed themselves to the cause of social justice.  They sold their home and began a journey of  full time volunteer work with social service organizations in five states, staying long enough to plant seeds and then move on. The Speltzes arrived in Mobile in 1996 and established a base at the Service Center of Catholic Social Services where they revitalized the thrift shop.  Greg started a program he called "Second Wind Ministries".  It provided opportunities for energetic retirees to spend the winter months in the south helping the less fortunate while they escaped the rigors of northern winters.  The Quest for Social Justice had its beginnings when Greg and Mary began gathering like-minded people in their apartment to address issues of nonviolence, poverty, capital punishment and the School of the Americas.  The group decided that an ecumenical organization committed to working for social justice was needed.  Greg spent months working on the paper work needed for incorporation and 501 c3 status.  By contributing a significant amount of their own money, and obtaining several grants, an office was opened in March 2001 at the present location.

 

History

The Quest for Social Justice, Inc. took root in 1998 when a group of Catholics, including sisters from several religious communities, began meeting in a private home. Their goal was to reflect on the scriptures and on Catholic Social Teaching and to formulate action plans to be implemented in the Mobile, Alabama, area. They were motivated by the fact that there was at the time no identifiable religous voice of social justice in the Mobile, Alabama, area. Nor were issues of social inequities, clearly evidenced in the nation, addressed at the local level.
 
The group's first focus was public education on issues such as the School of the Americas, capital punishment, tax reform, and landlord-tenant legislation.
 
In the year 2001, the program expanded to the point that establishing an office of social justice was needed, especially since the orginal organizer, Greg Speltz, was leaving the area. A temporary Board of Directors was created and a fund-raising campaign began. The group was incorporated in the state of Alabama under the name of "The Quest for Social Justice, Inc." on March 15, 2001. In that same month an office was opened at 3263 Demetropolis Road in Mobile, Alabama.   Since 2001, the Board of Directors has expanded to include representatives of a variety of faith-based and civic organizations working on the causes of peace and justice, including Alabama Arise, Citizens for Peace, and Bay Area Womens' Coalition.