In this time of crisis, giving voice to the people most affected has never been more important.
The world has changed and we want to let you know that we are here, we are adapting, and we are aware that our communities need organizing now more than ever. We believe that community organizing is necessary to bring people together, build collective power and achieve justice and fundamental, long-term change.
The most important part of organizing is listening. We would like to hear from you in this moment.
Although the “how and where” we organize people is changing rapidly, the basic principles of community organizing are still our guide. WORC and its member groups build local leadership and the collective power needed to create structural change. We work to hold corporate and government officials accountable for their decisions and actions, a necessary balance for a democratic society to operate in a just manner. Community groups provide a systematic way for people to participate in decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods. As a network of community organizations, we believe in the concept of mutual aid and support. It is important, especially in rural communities, to tie our local struggles together for shared support and strength.
This pandemic is not just a public health crisis, it is also related to social equity and environmental justice, and it reminds us of the importance of our fight for clean air and water and healthy communities for everyone, as well as for inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.
In the past several weeks, our world has suddenly and drastically changed. COVID-19 is spreading quickly to all corners of the globe. We still don’t know the full scale of the impacts in our country or across the world. Nor do we know whether all of the solutions being proposed will help those who need them most, or if some are just corporate bailouts and loopholes that benefit polluting industries at the expense of our health, environment, and ability to provide the basics our families need.
What we do know is that millions of people are working hard to protect us all. Leaders and volunteers have stepped up, whether they be governors, nurses, hospital workers, food producers, farm workers, grocery store employees, or parents.
We also know that this pandemic is not just a public health crisis, it is also related to social equity and environmental justice, and it reminds us of the importance of our fight for clean air and water and healthy communities for everyone, as well as for inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. To continue this work, community organizations like WORC and its member groups must adapt, connect, and organize in new ways.
For organizations like WORC and its member groups that believe organized people power is a fundamental ingredient to long-term social change, we now must answer a new question: How do we organize in a world of physical isolation? Please take our short survey to let us know how you are doing and share your ideas for how we can build a more hopeful future together during this pandemic.
Although we will be at least 6 feet away for a while, we will become more creative and stronger together than ever before.
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