Donate

Mission:

To cultivate a vibrant community of faith in action through transformative experiences of missionary discipleship rooted in Catholic social tradition.

Goodfaith is an independent, non-profit Catholic apostolate based in New Jersey.  Its mission is to cultivate a vibrant community of faith in action through transformative experiences of missionary discipleship rooted in Catholic social tradition.  

Founded originally in 2008 as the Center for FaithJustice, the organization was long-known for its “WorX” programs inspired by the scripture passage: “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).  More than 7,500 individuals participated in these experiences, representing more than 500,000 combined hours of direct service and social justice education. 

It published its first research study in 2018 – the first ever of its kind testing the value of faith-based service immersion programming.  It launched NeXt Level in 2019 and its newest initiative, Family Matters, in 2023.  Today, the organization is frequently called upon to serve in a consultative role with many partner organizations, parishes, and Catholic schools because of its track record and unique expertise.

Explore Our History

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 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

A community of ordinary people resting in the belief that transformation, both inside and out, is rooted in the goodness of the gospel.

Facebook Instagram Linkedin-in
About Us
Support
More Links

24 Rossa Avenue
Lawrence Township, NJ 08648

Copyright @ 2024 Goodfaith (DBA for the Center for FaithJustice, a recognized 501c3 nonprofit organization by the IRS. Tax ID number: 20-8035033). All rights reserved.

We are

Launching on February 26, 2024

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Sign-up to be notified:

© 2024 Goodfaith