Growing Dream City: A Report on Grassroots Organizing in the District in 2011

by | Jan 14, 2012 | Grassroots Leadership Education Project, Projects

by Andrew Willis Garcés and Mackenzie Baris, with contributions by many others Read previous reports: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 rn INDEX+ 2011 SNAPSHOT + Education & Youth + Gender Justice + Police & Criminal Justice + Immigrant Rights & Language Justice+ Labor & Workers+ Housing & Development+ Budget & Community Benefits  2011 SNAPSHOT DC’S 99% PLANT SEEDS, CULTIVATE HUMAN ECONOMY Facing a perennially corrupt and ineffective local government and several years of national bank bailouts for the 1%, DC change-makers turned to each other. Grassroots projects to create a human economy took off in 2011. The two Occupy DC** encampments churned out hundreds of free, daily meals and provided basic medical care and a library for hundreds of visitors, including some who had been recently laid off or evicted. Other volunteer-run projects like DC Doulas for Choice and DC Time Bank continued to expand opportunities for a human-centered, solidarity economy.rnrnJust a few other examples: A new grassroots, all-volunteer foundation — the Diverse City Fund — distributed $45,000 to 23 organizations led by people of color, and the long-running DC Abortion Fund stepped in when Congress blocked Medicaid abortion reimbursement. Several large housing coops consolidated and began to plan to play roles in spreading coop values & housing rights. New worker and consumer cooperatives began exploratory work, like a potential Shaw food coop, a GWU coop cafe, and cooperatives of day laborers and child care workers seeking greater control over their economic lives. And collective farming projects continued to take root in neighborhoods like Edgewood. NEW YEAR, NEW MAYOR, MORE REASONS TO MOBILIZE In 2011 a new mayor took office,...

Grassroots Leadership Education Program 2012 Schedule

by | Jan 1, 2012 | Grassroots Leadership Education Project, Projects

Sponsored by Empower DC and DC Jobs with Justice   MONTH TOPIC Jan 25 Direct Action Feb 29 How DC Government Works Mar 28 Basics of Community Organizing (Organizing 10) April 25 DC Budget: Understanding and Influencing (& testimony prep) May 30 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions & Civic Organizations June 27 Working with the Media and Developing Your Message (&Public Speaking) July 25 How DC Government Works Aug 29 Basics of Community Organizing (Organizing 101) Sept 26 Research for Accountability Oct 24 Working with the Media and Developing Your Message (&Public Speaking) Nov 28 Grassroots...

Grassroots Leadership Education Program

by | Sep 3, 2008 | Grassroots Leadership Education Project, Projects

The Grassroots Leadership Education Program is an initiative of DC Jobs with Justice and Empower DC designed to strengthen local organizing and build power among working people in the District of Columbia. It incorporates skill building and political education into 2-hour long monthly trainings. Training locations rotate, please check the website for the most up-to-date information. 2011 Training Calendar How DC Government WorksFeb 15th. 6:30pm-8:30pmSt Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St NW The Basics of Community OrganizingMarch 15th. 6:30pm-8:30pm Understanding and Influencing the DC BudgetApril 19th. 6:30pm-8:30pm Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and Civic AssociationsMay 17th. 6:30pm-8:30pm Working With the Media and Developing Your MessageJune 21st. 6:30pm-8:30pm A People’s History of Washington DCJuly 19th. 6:30pm-8:30pm Creating Accessible Space for Movement BuildingAugust 16th. 6:30pm-8:30pm Who Runs Washington Behind the Scenes?September 20th. 6:30pm-8:30pm Building a Strategic CampaignOctober 18th. 6:30pm-8:30pm Research Tips for Holding Elected Officials AccountableNovember 15th. 6:30pm-8:30pm Grassroots FundraisingDecember 20th. 6:30pm-8:30pmEmpower DC, 1419 V St NWrnrn For more info, contact Lillian Walker Shelton at...