Dorcas Cheng-Tozun’s journey from a young, ambitious activist to a thoughtful advocate for sustainable social justice is both inspiring and instructive. Growing up in an immigrant family in the San Francisco Bay Area, Cheng-Tozun’s life took a pivotal turn at age 14 when her father passed away. This tragic event sparked a spiritual crisis that ultimately deepened her faith and ignited her passion for social justice.
“It broke apart my sense of what life was,” Cheng-Tozun reflects. “It made me realize, obviously, I’m not the only one. There are a lot of people in this world who have gone through trauma, tragedy, hardship, and continue to be challenged day in and day out.”
This realization set Cheng-Tozun on a path of service and advocacy, leading her to work in the nonprofit sector and eventually become an author and educator. Her journey, however, was not without its challenges, including severe burnout and the need to process grief and loss, which forced her to reassess her approach to social justice work.
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Overcoming Burnout and Finding Your Calling
Cheng-Tozun’s experience with burnout is unfortunately common among social justice advocates. She shares, “It is very, very common for social activists to burn out within 3 to 5 years. That’s sort of their typical career span within that space.” To combat this, Cheng-Tozun emphasizes the importance of pacing oneself and incorporating rest into one’s routine.
“The way that you keep engaging is that you pace yourself and you do the work that you can and you take the rest that you need,” she advises. This approach not only ensures longevity in social justice work but also aligns with biblical principles of rest and the Sabbath. Overcoming burnout involves recognizing one’s limitations and the importance of self-care.
Finding your calling in social justice work involves balancing passion with personal well-being. Cheng-Tozun’s journey illustrates the importance of aligning one’s work with personal values and strengths, while also trusting God in difficult times.
Social Innovation and Immigrant Family Experience
Cheng-Tozun’s background as a child of immigrants has informed her approach to social innovation. She teaches a class on social innovation, “which is teaching high school students business principles and design thinking for the sake of coming up with creative solutions to address real challenges and needs in our communities.”
This intersection of business principles and social impact reflects Cheng-Tozun’s unique perspective, shaped by her immigrant family experience and her commitment to fostering positive change. Her work emphasizes the importance of mentorship in guiding the next generation of social innovators.
Embracing Sensitivity in Social Justice
Cheng-Tozun’s latest book, “Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul,” addresses a unique challenge faced by empathetic individuals in social justice work. She notes, “Those are beautiful qualities to have, you know, to be a deeply empathetic person, to be a person who feels deeply, who connects with others, who is so conscientious and is so bothered by the suffering of others.”
Her book aims to create a space for sensitive individuals in social justice work, emphasizing that their unique gifts are valuable and needed in the fight against injustice. This approach highlights the power of vulnerability and the importance of empathy in creating meaningful change.
Fostering Kindness and Grace
In an era of increasing polarization, Cheng-Tozun advocates for a return to kindness and grace in our interactions. She reflects, “Even if you are standing on the right side of an issue, if you are not able to interact with others with kindness and grace and love… the war cannot be won with that kind of an approach.”
Drawing inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a beloved community, Cheng-Tozun emphasizes the importance of seeing the humanity in those we disagree with. This perspective underscores the power of forgiveness and the importance of reconciliation in social justice work.
Power of Hope and Perseverance
Despite facing personal challenges and witnessing societal injustices, Cheng-Tozun remains committed to cultivating hope. She shares, “I would love to be a person who spreads encouragement and hope to others.” This commitment to hope, coupled with perseverance, forms the foundation of sustainable social justice work.
Cheng-Tozun’s journey demonstrates the importance of finding strength in God and living a life of purpose, even when faced with adversity. Her experiences highlight the power of storytelling in inspiring others to overcome their own challenges and engage in meaningful social justice work.
Importance of Community
Throughout her journey, Cheng-Tozun has recognized the vital role of community in sustaining social justice efforts. She emphasizes the need for support systems and collaborative efforts in addressing societal issues. This understanding reinforces the importance of building and nurturing communities that can collectively work towards positive change.
Conclusion
Dorcas Cheng-Tozun’s journey and insights offer a compelling vision for sustainable, compassionate social justice work. Her emphasis on self-care, finding joy in service, embracing sensitivity, and fostering kindness provides a roadmap for those seeking to make a lasting impact in their communities while maintaining their personal well-being. Through her writing and teaching, Cheng-Tozun continues to inspire others to engage in social justice work with grace, empathy, and resilience, reminding us of the power of perseverance in the face of challenges
About Dorcas Cheng-Tozun
Dorcas Cheng-Tozun is an accomplished author, educator, and advocate for sustainable social justice. As a fifth-generation Christian from an immigrant family, she brings a unique perspective to her work in the nonprofit sector and her writing. Cheng-Tozun’s books, including “Start, Love, Repeat” and “Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul,” draw from her personal experiences and extensive research to provide practical guidance for those navigating the challenges of social justice work and entrepreneurship.
Currently serving as an editorial director with the Christian nonprofit Pax and teaching social innovation at the high school level, Cheng-Tozun continues to inspire and equip others to make a positive impact in their communities. Her work emphasizes the importance of balancing passion for justice with personal well-being, fostering kindness in a divided world, and embracing one’s unique strengths in the pursuit of social change.
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