Fall 2008 Grants

Ensuring Economic Justice

  • Adhikaar for Human Rights and Social Justice $10,000

    Adhikaar, meaning "rights" in Nepali, organizes more than 550 Nepalis women, youth and families. Adhikaar's recently completed community needs assessment shows that the growing Nepalis immigrant community in New York City faces a variety of economic, social and legal challenges. One quarter are undocumented, two-thirds lack health insurance, and two-thirds earn less than minimum wage. Adhikaar's Woodside, Queens community center provides a critical space for new Nepali immigrants to gain access to health care, immigrant rights advocacy workshops and ESL classes. Adhikaar also works in coalition with partner organizations to advocate for policies that meet the needs of South Asian immigrants.

  • Bronx Land Trust $5,000

    Community gardens provide public open space, frequently in neighborhoods that are least served by the park system. As land development pressure increases and sparse green spaces are eroded in low-income Bronx communities, Bronx Land Trust trains members to manage 18 community gardens and organizes residents to protect threatened community gardens. Through participation in both local and city-wide advocacy campaigns, Brooklyn Land Trust harnesses the power and leadership skills of members to form a strong voice for open space in New York City.

  • Brooklyn Congregations United $10,000

    Inadequate housing, lack of affordable healthcare, poor public schools, and a lack of economic opportunities impede the quality of life for low-income Brooklyn residents. Brooklyn Congregations United is an interfaith coalition of 22 Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations that develops grassroots community leaders with the skills to advocate for equality of opportunity and access to affordable services and housing. Recent campaigns focus on voter education, civic participation and affordable housing.

  • Bushwick Housing Independence Project $10,000

    Bushwick residents face a severe housing crisis. Approximately 58% of its rent-regulated housing has been hit by predatory lending, fraud, and speculation. The Bushwick Housing Independence Project (BHIP) aims to preserve affordable housing for low and moderate-income families in Bushwick and its surrounding neighborhoods. BHIP members organize to pressure landlords to repair their buildings and stop harassing tenants. In 2008, BHIP advocated in court for over 350 tenants and organized tenants in 26 buildings. BHIP develops the local leadership needed to push for systemic changes in the city's housing programs.

  • CHANGER $10,000

    The subprime and predatory lending crisis has made it difficult, often impossible, for low-income people to retain property. High-cost subprime mortgage lending is disproportionately concentrated in lower-income neighborhoods, the communities most impacted by the foreclosure crisis. CHANGER's over 200 members work to stop abusive mortgage lending practices in low and moderate income communities in New York City. Through their Do Something campaign, CHANGER's members call for the establishment of a fair financial services industry. They provide consumer education workshops and legal clinics that empower vulnerable communities to protect their housing rights.

  • Cidadao Global/Global Citizen $5,000

    Despite being one of the largest and fastest growing immigrant groups in the U.S., Brazilians have few avenues for political and social engagement. Cidadao Global develops the leadership and organizing skills of working class Afro-Brazilian immigrants to address challenges posed by the immigration system, economic barriers to a better life and workers rights violations that often go unaddressed. Cidadao Global advocates for the rights of Brazilian immigrants and strengthens civic participation within the community. They provide essential links to service organizations and community resources. By forming strategic alliances they spoke on behalf of Latino Immigrants before the U.N. Special Rapporteur for Racism. Cidadao Global is engaged in a community-led community needs assessment of Brazilian immigrants.

  • Damayan Migrant Workers Association $15,000

    Filipina immigrants employed as domestic workers are not protected by labor laws, and are therefore vulnerable to exploitative working conditions and abusive employers. Damayan Migrant Workers Association has built a membership base of some 500 low-wage Filipino domestic workers to defend their rights and work together to challenge the causes of their marginalization. Damayan has won over $10,000 in unpaid wages for its members, held the first Filipino conference on forced migration in NY, and launched a successful campaign against the Philippine ambassador to address trafficking of Filipino women. Damayan's other campaigns focus on improving access to health care and speaking out against domestic violence.

  • El Centro de Hospitalidad $15,000

    The growing Mexican immigrant community in Staten Island faces a lack of living wage jobs, healthcare and housing. Many immigrants work as day laborers, where they are hired on a daily basis with no guarantee of continued work. El Centro de Hospitalidad, an immigrant worker center in Port Richmond, Staten Island, worked with over 2,000 immigrant workers and their families to advocate for their rights as immigrants and workers. In 2008, El Centro expanded their services to include ESL classes and trainings on worker's rights. They also formed strategic partnerships with grassroots organizations throughout NYC and organized the Staten Island Immigrants Council with the goal of achieving just and full participation of immigrants in the United States.

  • Housing Here and Now $15,000

    The housing crisis in NYC is severe and getting worse. Rents are increasing as incomes decrease and unemployment rates rise, and low income tenants face unsafe and unhealthy living conditions. Housing Here and Now (HHN) is a citywide coalition of over 150 grassroots groups that work together to achieve affordable and safe housing for all New Yorkers. Their Fix It Now Campaign calls for tougher local rent control laws, permanent housing for homeless individuals with HIV/AIDS, and an end to subsidies to abusive landlords. HHN is helping lead a state-wide campaign to overturn vacancy decontrol laws and preserve rent controlled apartments, and escalate pressure on elected officials to respond to tenant concerns.

  • Movimiento por Justicia del Barrio $15,000

    In East Harlem, increased rents and negligent landlords are pushing low-income residents out of their homes. Movimiento por Justicia del Barrio mobilizes Latinos, primarily Mexicans, for justice in New York with a focus on housing. Movimiento has organized over 400 members to hold landlords and property owners accountable for their actions. They are in the midst of a campaign against the multinational corporation Dawnay Day, which has purchased 47 buildings in East Harlem and is attempting to raise rents and illegally evict tenants. Since Dawnay Day has contributed to gentrification on multiple continents, Movimiento has turned a local initiative into a transnational campaign for housing justice. Movimiento also connects their organizing work in New York City to the political and economic conditions that cause forced migration from Mexico.

Ending Institutional Racism and Discrimination

  • Al-Awda New York $5,000

    Palestinians are the largest refugee group in the world. They have experienced a rise in surveillance, illegal deportations and disappearances. Al-Awda New York is a Brooklyn-based group that raises awareness about the human and legal rights of the Palestinian Diaspora and Arab immigrant communities. They have reached hundreds of Arab New Yorkers through their public forums, community actions, know-your-rights workshops and free legal services. Al-Awda has formed partnerships with numerous organizations that work with Arabs, immigrants and people of color, and were leaders in establishing the Coalition in Solidarity with Arab People.

  • AWAAM: Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media $5,000

    The increased backlash against New York City's Muslim and Arab residents is prompting women and young people to organize for their rights as immigrants and citizens. Arab Women Active in Arts and Media (AWAAM) empowers young Arab women with community organizing, art and media skills to become leaders in their community and speak out against discrimination. AWAAM supports young women to advocate both for themselves and other Arab immigrant young women.

  • Border Crossers $5,000

    New York City public schools are highly segregated across racial and class lines. Border Crossers brings together students in grades 2-6 from diverse backgrounds to break down barriers and explore the concept of borders through creative social-action-based curriculum. Border Crossers forms ongoing relationships between youth from "sister schools" who would otherwise not interact with each other in their everyday lives. Border Crossers believes such "cross border" alliances can enable communities to identify and implement innovative solutions for social problems. Border Crossers has served over 650 youth from across New York City. They are developing more Sister-School relationships, and engaging more families, teachers and community members to become border crossers.

  • For a Better Bronx $10,000

    Pollution, a lack of green space, and limited access to healthy food contribute to the environmental and economic injustices in the South Bronx. For a Better Bronx (FABB) develops the leadership skills of low-income people of color, especially women, to combat environmental racism. Through community organizing, educational initiatives and youth empowerment programs, FABB is increasing access to healthy food in a region with growing hunger and malnutrition rates. A diverse group of community members participate in FABB's Women of Color Growing Collective and the South Bronx Urban Farm Coalition, the leading forces behind the new Urban Farm and Farmer's Market. By increasing community garden space, FABB is providing greater access to healthy food for local food pantries and South Bronx residents.

  • Lakou New York $15,000

    As immigrants and low-income people of color, the Haitian community in New York experiences various forms of marginalization and discrimination. Lakou New York is a grassroots alternative radio program in the Creole and French languages that connects the Haitian community in the Tri-State area to social change work. Through its coverage of grassroots community campaigns and underreported issues such as immigration, police misconduct, and workers' rights, Lakou mobilizes their listeners and provides a unique hub of culture and information for Haitian New Yorkers. In 2009, Lakou will increase their audiences by broadcasting more weekly programs. Lakou is also working with other grassroots Haitian groups to create a community center where they will hold public forums and cultural events.

  • Women on the Rise Telling Herstory (WORTH) $10,000

    New York's criminal justice system discriminates against incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women. Women with criminal records experience prejudice when seeking employment and housing. Women on the Rise Telling their Story (WORTH) provides incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women with the skills to advocate for a more just criminal justice system through community organizing, leadership development and peer education. WORTH members alter public perception about women with criminal records by sharing their personal stories through publications and public forums. Members have spoken in over 50 local and national venues. The group's current campaigns focus on passing two bills that would protect the parental rights of incarcerated women, and decrease sentence lengths for female prisoners who experienced abuse.

Securing Peace and Justice

  • IndyKids $10,000

    News sources for kids tend to present a limited, or non-existent, perspective on social justice issues, activism and community organizing. IndyKids, a free newspaper and on-line resource for 4th-8th graders, covers current world events from a progressive perspective. IndyKids teaches young people about social issues such as immigration reform, environmental degradation, and military recruitment, and also highlights young activists and grassroots organizations committed to social change. Each issue of the newspaper reaches over 13,000 readers across the U.S., with half of the distribution at New York City public schools, libraries, community-based organizations, and independent businesses. IndyKids inspires youth to develop a passion for peace and justice.

  • Nodutdol for Korean Community Development $10,000

    Korean immigrants face discrimination based on class, race, limited English proficiency and immigration status. The community also faces internal rifts as a result of Korea's war and division. Notudol for Korean Community Development promotes the self-determination, unification, and empowerment of New York's Korean community. The group of over 65 immigrants develops the leadership of Korean youth and adults to bridge divisions within their community; fight for racial, social and economic justice in the United States; and contribute to a global people's campaign for peace. Nodutdol is currently building a base of progressive Korean youth and students to develop the next generation of community leaders.

Protecting Civil Liberties and Constitutional Rights

  • Coalition for Parole Restoration $10,000

    New York's criminal justice policies deny rehabilitated prisoners parole and do not provide released prisoners with the necessary support to reintegrate into their communities. As a result, many formerly incarcerated people return to prison. Coalition for Parole Restoration (CPR) helps imprisoned people obtain parole and assists formerly incarcerated persons with re-entry. The founders, staff and board of CPR are formerly incarcerated persons, or family members of former or currently incarcerated people. CPR's Leadership Program trains imprisoned people to become community leaders after they are released, and the Community Education and Advocacy Program is a grassroots organizing campaign focused on prisoners' rights.

  • Ojo de Agua, Arte y Producción $15,000

    In Bushwick, Brooklyn, a predominately low-income Latino immigrant community, youth are accustomed to low-performing schools and a lack of enriching extracurricular programming. Ojo de Agua trains Bushwick youth to use media to spark social change. During weekly classes young people learn how to film and produce videos that critically examine social justice issues in their personal lives and communities. Films are used to support the community organizing campaigns of Make the Road New York. Youth develop leadership skills by presenting workshops about their films at film festivals, media conferences and public schools. Young filmmakers are currently working on a feature-length documentary with the goal of creating greater awareness about community struggles in Bushwick.

  • Rights for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities (RIPPD) $15,000

    As of 2006 over half of the incarcerated individuals in U.S. prisons had a history of mental illness. Police officers have limited training in both recognizing and dealing with the needs of mentally ill people. Consequently, their treatment of mentally ill people can cause further damage. Rights for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities (RIPPD) is a grassroots organization working to improve the criminal justice system's handling of people with mental disabilities. Its members include formerly imprisoned people with mental illness and their families. RIPPD is currently in dialogue with law enforcement officials and City Council members to develop and fund an alternative to incarceration program for mentally ill people.