Rahway Social Justice Commission Holds A Day Filled With Holiday Events
On Saturday, the commission hosts three events at Hamilton Stage including an food donation drive and open mic night.
Friday, December 19, 2025
The Rahway Social Justice Commission turns Hamilton Stage into a full-day hub of community storytelling, creativity, and conversation on Saturday, December 20, with a holiday celebration in the afternoon followed by an evening open mic designed to amplify local voices.
The day begins with the Community Holiday Celebration and Expo, running from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and continues with a Holiday Open Mic Night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public. They’re part of the commission’s broader effort to create welcoming, inclusive spaces where residents can share their experiences, traditions, and ideas.
“This is about conversation,” said Karla Alvarez, chair of the Rahway Social Justice Commission. “It’s about being present and giving people a place to be heard.”
The afternoon Celebration and Expo is designed as a family-friendly gathering that blends culture, creativity, and outreach. The event will feature music, dancing, storytelling, crafts, and opportunities to learn about local nonprofits and food pantry efforts. Organizers say the goal is entertainment and connection by bringing together residents of different backgrounds to share their holiday customs and traditions in one space.
The evening Holiday Open Mic shifts the focus to personal expression, inviting performers and audience members alike to take part in an evening of music and spoken word. While performer registration is preferred and can be completed here, walk-ins are welcome. Donations for local food pantries will be collected throughout both events.
Both take place at Hamilton Stage, reinforcing the commission’s focus on making civic engagement visible and accessible in the heart of the city.
Founded in 2020, the Rahway Social Justice Commission is one of the few municipal social justice commissions in New Jersey, and among the earliest to form following the national reckoning after the murder of George Floyd.
Today, the commission is comprised of just seven volunteer commissioners, all appointed by the mayor, who balance planning, outreach, and community engagement with limited resources.
“We ask for volunteers, but we haven’t gotten many,” Alvarez said. “Part of that is on us. People don’t always know what we’re doing.”
That reality has shaped the commission’s recent strategy. Over the past year, members have focused on rebuilding connections with residents through initiatives based on listening.
Projects have included a “What Is It About Rahway?” survey, pop-up listening benches at city events, Second Saturday movie nights, student ambassador outreach, and partnerships with neighboring social justice organizations. The commission has also worked to help students and parents better understand their rights in schools.
“We’re trying to get away from being event-driven,” Alvarez said. “Our role is to support — to show up, listen, and share information.”
To raise awareness of these efforts, the commission is working to improve its social media presence after a period of dormancy.
Alvarez’s approach to social justice is deeply tied to her work outside City Hall. She is also the founder and executive director of 1Love2Read, a Rahway-based literacy nonprofit she launched in 2020.
Originally started during the pandemic as a way to give out free books with her son, 1Love2Read has since grown into community book swaps, park-based reading events, artist collaborations, and a free family subscription program that delivers curated book packages often timed as holiday gifts.
For Alvarez, literacy isn’t just about reading. It’s also about agency.
“If you can’t read what’s going on, you can’t understand what’s being given to you,” she said. “You’ll be lost.”
Rahway, she added, reminds her of her hometown of Corona, Queens. Both communities are diverse and evolving.
“I realized I need to pour into this city if I want to get something out of it,” she said.
That belief has informed her understanding of social justice since being appointed to the commission in 2022. While she once viewed the concept through a narrower lens, Alvarez said she now sees literacy, access to information, and civic participation as foundational.
Alvarez’s term as chair is set to terminate at the end of this year, and she said she informed the mayor that she’s ready to pass on what has been a time-intensive role.
“I am looking forward to someone else taking up the heavy load,” she said.
Still, she said, she hopes the commission’s work continues to grow with more volunteers, more partnerships, and deeper ties to the community. A new chair will take over in January.
Those interested in learning more about the Rahway Social Justice Commission are encouraged to attend its regular meetings. The commission meets on the 4th Monday of every month at the Rahway Recreation Center. You can follow the commission on Facebook and Instagram.