Since 1996, Working for Equality and Economic Liberation (WEEL) has been working to build a powerful grassroots movement among people experiencing poverty. As the only welfare-rights organization working in Montana, they have developed a base of over 600 members and 150 active volunteers statewide who agree that when social injustices exist, economic injustice follows. WEEL is one of our newest three-year grantees.
WEEL has a track record of scoring victories that they have achieved by engaging people directly affected by poverty in the democratic process, from voting to policy creation. They were a formidable presence in the 2007 legislative session, where WEEL:
Social Justice Fund has just awarded WEEL a three-year support grant to establish a new WEEL chapter on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana. WEEL will be developing the leadership of low-income American Indian women by hiring an American Indian organizer to work with WEEL staff, members, and Blackfeet allies to develop the new chapter.
WEEL joins the Montana Human Rights Network and Native Action as the third Montana group who is currently receiving a multi-year grant from Social Justice Fund NW. For more information about WEEL, please visit their website at www.weelempowers.org.
WEEL also joins our newest three-year grantees, including:
United Vision for Idaho (Boise, ID): UVI’s mission is to transform the political landscape of Idaho by promoting education and understanding of public policy, which allows every person to live with dignity and security in a healthy environment; by building relationships and open communication at the community level; by promoting public dialogue on the common values of the coalition; and by helping to empower participation in democracy. They are seeking support to fully implement the strategic plan for organizational and leadership development within the coalition and to strengthen the statewide individual membership base and increase civic engagement in the coalition.
Working for Equality and Economic Liberation (Helena, MT): WEEL is a state-based grassroots, economic and social justice organization comprised of people experiencing poverty and their supporters. Through advocacy, action, and education they work together to eradicate the myths, stereotypes, and stigmas that are harmful to low-income families. Their priority is to ensure that those most affected by poverty are civically engaged and part of the democratic process, from voting to policy creation and implementation. They are seeking general support to develop and sustain their new American Indian Chapter on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Center for Intercultural Organizing (Portland, OR): The Center is a diverse, grassroots organization working to build a multi-racial, multi-cultural movement for immigrant and refugee rights through education, policy advocacy, community organizing and mobilization, and intergenerational leadership development. They are seeking funding to further their membership development, organizing, and base-building work in immigrant and refugee communities.
Rural Organizing Project (Scappoose, OR): Rural Organizing Project exists to strengthen the skills, resources and vision of primary leadership in local human dignity groups with the goal of keeping such groups a vibrant source for a just democracy. They have been challenging white supremacists and nativists in rural Oregon for 15 years. They are requesting a grant to bring on a Technical Organizer and advisor with a dedicated focus of replicating successful database and communication “system sets” for long-term functionality.