Mission:

To cultivate to a vibrant movement of faith in action through transformative experiences centered in Catholic social tradition.

We are Goodfaith, a community of ordinary people committed to the belief that transformation – in us and through us – is rooted in the goodness of the Gospel.

Mission

An independent, non-profit Catholic apostolate based in New Jersey, Goodfaith’s mission is to cultivate a vibrant movement of faith in action through transformative experiences centered in Catholic social tradition.

Vision

Equip

Equip individuals, families, and communities to journey together in the Gospel call to service and justice through our Pathways framework

Accompany

Accompany faith leaders and ministry partners as they implement and adapt best practices in diverse contexts

Advance

Advance the Church through bold innovation, in-depth research, and transformative insights 

Our History

every movement begins with a simple step of faith.

Early 2000s
Seán Sanford, founder, and his mother, Helen Sanford began to host immersion experiences under the name New Jersey Service Project.

Over time, Seán created a vision for what would ultimately become the “WorX” programs – ServiceworX, JusticeworX, and LeaderworX – for youth of various ages from middle school through early adulthood. Inspired by the passage “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26), the WorX programs were characterized by the intentional integration of direct service, community, prayer, and reflections on Catholic Social Teaching. Ultimately, these experiences took place across New Jersey, Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, Appalachian West Virginia.

2000
2008
Officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization under the name Center for FaithJustice

After nearly a decade of service-based program development, the Center for FaithJustice became an official non-profit organization. The founding board of trustees chose this name to reflect the organization’s conviction that faith and justice were (and are) intimately bound together. Their vision was an invitation to people of faith to revisit and renew their commitment to the Gospel and the common good.

2008
2010
Moved into long-time headquarters, the CASA Retreat House, in Lawrenceville, NJ.  
2010
2013
Pope Francis is elected to the Papacy and publishes his first exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”).

This seminal work sets the stage for the future of the organization’s work, particularly with young people. 

2013
2015
Established a second campus in Trenton, NJ on the property of St. James Church.
2015
2018
Published first research report, commensurate with organization’s tenth anniversary.

“What WorX: Assessing the Impact of Service and Social Justice Programs on Catholic Youth”, published by CFJ in collaboration with Indiana University, was the first-ever study of its kind testing the value of faith-based service immersion programming.

2018
2019
Launched NeXt Level through a multi-year $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment as part of its “Strengthening Congregational Ministries with Youth” initiative.

The only Catholic organization in the country to receive this funding, NeXt Level is a transformative experience for parishes focused on empowering youth, developing intergenerational relationships, and living out the Gospel through youth-led parish-wide campaigns rooted in the Catholic tradition of service and justice.

2019
2021
Programs begin anew after being shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
2022
Surpassed 7,500 participants and 500,000th hour of community service and social justice education.
2022
2023
Received $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment for new initiative, Family Matters.

Family Matters will pilot a new process at 12 parishes aimed at nurturing Christian protagonism among parents and caregivers in those respective communities.

2023
2024
Organization transforms into Goodfaith, publishing its second major study entitled “Accompanying Youth: Mapping the Path Toward Deeper Discipleship.”
2024
Fall 2024
Goodfaith moves their office to Trenton on the campus of Incarnation-St. James parish.

Commissioned a new mural on their building featuring their Next Level youth! 

Fall 2024

We are

Launching on February 26, 2024

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