Society for Community Research and Action

educational and inspirational videos about civic engagement;

"Increasing social distance between the poorest and the richest diminishes social cohesion, which in turn means more collective problems and fewer resources for solving all our other collective problems." Göran Therborn on why inequality matters.

The New Organizing Institute just released the Organizing Toolbox - aresource of training materials for organizing

In communities around the nation, youth organizing groups have become outspoken, effective, and powerful partners in school reform - and, in the process, are preparing to be empowered, educated, and engaged adults and citizens.

More than 13 million American children live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level, which is $22,050 a year for a family of four. 1 The number of children living in poverty increased by 21 percent between 2000 and 2008. There are 2.5 million more children living in poverty today than in 2000. Not only are these numbers troubling, the official poverty measure tells only part of the story. Research consistently shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice the federal poverty level to make ends meet. 2 3 Children living in families with incomes below this level - for 2009, $44,100 for a family of four - are referred to as low income. Forty-one percent of the nation's children - more than 29 million in 2008 - live in low-income families. 4 Nonetheless, eligibility for many public benefits is based on the official poverty measure. This fact sheet - the first in a series focusing on economic and material hardship - details some of the characteristics of American children who are considered poor by the official standard.

This learning community is a place where Canadians can learn, share expertise, advance common goals, and connect with one another about reducing poverty in their cities. Together let's end poverty! 

Collaboration Multiplier is an interactive framework and tool for analyzing collaborative efforts across fields. It is designed to guide an organization to a better understanding of which partners it needs and how to engage them, or to facilitate organizations that already work together in identifying activities to achieve a common goal, identify missing sectors that can contribute to a solution, delineate partner perspectives and contributions, and leverage expertise and resources.

The National Prevention Strategy makes clear, prevention can save lives, reduce the demand on health care services, build equity and save money.

Far more attention needed indeed!

The CIW is a community-based worker organization. Our members are largely Latino, Haitian, and Mayan Indian immigrants working in low-wage jobs throughout the state of Florida. We strive to build our strength as a community on a basis of reflection and analysis, constant attention to coalition building across ethnic divisions, and an ongoing investment in leadership development to help our members continually develop their skills in community education and organization.