The Social Good Lab is a learning ecosystem—one that believes meaningful social change begins with people willing to examine themselves, and then step into the world together.
While much of our work begins with inner exploration—values, assumptions, fear, responsibility—it does not stay there. We move outward. We build projects, host gatherings, launch challenges, and create campaigns and experiences that bring us into relationship with others.
What follows are some of the ways the Social Good Lab engages the campus, the Fredericksburg region, and the wider world—not as heroes, but as learners, collaborators, and sidekicks.
CAMPUS COMMUNITY
Reframing power, perspective, and belonging
FLIP THE FIELD
Flip the Field is a unique experiential learning opportunity where Mary Washington’s student-athletes become the educators, and campus community members (faculty, administrators, students, and staff) step into the role of students. Varsity coaches and their teams host immersive experiences, clinics, and friendly contests to showcase the dedication and effort student-athletes put into the sports they love.
Learn More: https://flipthefield.info/
TWO DOLLAR CHALLENGE
The Two Dollar Challenge is an experiential learning exercise in which participants live on $2 per day. It is designed to make you pause, reflect, and rethink. It’s less about “doing” and more about thinking differently about poverty and your role in the story of change. It is about becoming more humble. Humility is a muscle. The Two Dollar Challenge is our treadmill.
Learn More: https://twodollarchallenge.org/
FREDERICKSBURG REGION
Building civic ecosystems and shared space
FRED: A SOCIAL GOOD SUMMIT
FRED is a community-focused, student-powered event designed to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of changemakers across Fredericksburg and the surrounding region. FRED’s purpose is to gather educators, students, nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, local government representatives, and engaged citizens to explore new models of positive social change. Through panel discussions, lightning talks, story-sharing, and networking, FRED energizes the local changemaking community while offering students meaningful opportunities for leadership and visibility.
NATIONAL/GLOBAL
Rethinking how we “do good”
SIDEKICK MANIFESTO
Doing good is not easy. And, in some cases, doing good is not good. This uncertainty can leave us all feeling a bit paralyzed. So, is there any way to do good? Yeah, but not always. The Sidekick Manifesto is a ecosystem of manifestos, guides, and other learning resources to move you from hero to sidekick.
Learn More: https://sidekickmanifesto.org/
