Winter 2010 | #13
Project Updates Community Organizing for Education and Democracy
Common Sense
Arlington around Immigrations and Customs Enforcement collaboration with local law enforcement under a program with the misnomer “Secure Communities.”
Health Project Project members continue to work with the local clinic to improve the quality of medical services and access for community members. Due to the participation of community members, the clinic has begun to implement some changes such as an improved reception system that minimizes the time patients spend standing in line. As the City budget season opens, project members implement a multi-pronged strategy to engage City Council members, local allies and City staff involved on redevelopment in the Arlandria neighborhood in improving access to quality healthcare for all Alexandrians.
COED Confirmation Ceremony, May 25, 2010: Dora Tweneboa, Melvin Alvaro, Carla Benitez, Jennifer Araujo, Luisa Burgos, Ginno Huarroc, and Margie Obeng were selected to continue in the COED program.
On May 25, 2010 seven students signed their official commitments to the COED program. As TWU COEDs, each will receive gap funding for college and complete an organizing internship at TWU every summer until they graduate. In addition, the students receive academic tutoring and assistance through the college application process. To kick off their internship for 2010, COEDs headed to New York City where they were reunited with other youth in similar programs across the county. They attended workshops on college applications, life goals and much more.During the summer internship, COEDs co-facilitated workshops for the Youth Institute with TWU organizing, communications and fundraising staff. They spearheaded recruitment efforts for the Summer Youth and Parent Institutes and began organizing a campaign in
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knocking and organizing through service events, staff and core volunteers have built a robust network of Day-laborers that are engaged and ready to act. A newly formed Culmore Community group meets weekly. They have elected a board of representatives and are in the process of defining a community organizing campaign and their role in ongoing efforts to halt the onslaught of racist legislation set to hit Virginia in the coming year.
Culmore member prepares to give a presentation on TWU and organizing efforts to achieve justice for immigrants at a Consulate Day.
Throughout the summer and fall, Health Project members organized various Clinic Days at which community members could receive free medical screenings and information. These events serve to increase access to critical medical attention and to educate the community at large about issues of health and healthcare disparities.
Day laborers and the Culmore Community Culmore Day-laborers have been critical to the mobilizing efforts around various mobilizations for immigrant justice. Through intensive outreach and education on the “corner” to door
Culmore Day laborer Ronnie Portillo keeps marchers in step at they head to the White House for a May Day Rally to Stop the Raids.
Women’s Leadership The Women’s Group has begun to market their handmade jewelry at various locations and events. At weekly jewelry making sessions, they gather to share skills and learn about different socio-political themes. The goal is for the group to support Tenants and Workers Unite organizing campaigns, especially around immigration justice.
Alexandria Office: 3801 Mount Vernon Avenue, (703)684-5697 | www.tenantsandworkers.org | Culmore Office: 6049 Leesburg Pike, Ste. 101, (703)671-2041