On March 3, the Colorado State Legislature proposed a bill that would have cut base wages for tipped workers. Coloradans for the Common Good (CCG) fought back! In collaboration with CWA 7777 and the Colorado AFL-CIO, CCG organized a press conference and successfully blocked efforts to mandate that Denver, Boulder, and Edgewater reduce the local minimum wage for thousands of tipped workers. CCG also pushed for legislation to expand the right to collective bargaining as a part of their larger strategy to support workers in Colorado.

In a press statement, they assert: “Hardworking Coloradans deserve the opportunity to earn a good wage, especially as the cost of living continues to rise…The amended version of the bill importantly avoids an immediate wage cut for tipped employees and preserves some local control. However, the bill only gives local control to local governments if they want to vote to keep their tipped minimum wage low, but will not allow them to vote to end the subminimum wage for tipped workers. We will continue to work for fair and livable wages with tips on top for Coloradans at the state and local level.” 

Last week, CCG was back at the Capitol to support the Worker Protection Act and again the next day to stand with educators against cuts to education. CCG's work at the Capitol continues as the legislature considers the Worker Protection Act, the state budget, and other issues important to members.

(Photo Credit: Denver7)

By Barbara Paulsen, Boulder City UMC, Nevadans for the Common Good

In 1974 an organization, grounded in community organizing principles developed by Saul Alinsky in the 1940s, was founded in San Antonio Texas. Communities Organizing for Public Service (COPS) became the first organization of the "modern" IAF and the initial member of what is now known as the West/Southwest IAF (WSWIAF). Today the WSWIAF includes 33 local broad-based institutional members located across 11 states.

In recognition of this 50-year organizing history, a symposium was held in San Antonio on December 8, 2024, to honor WSWIAF's past and to build for its future. The symposium included segments on IAF and WSWIAF history, habits and practices of  organizing as well as presentations by key leaders in education, history, and philosophy who shared their experiences working with WSWIAF and how this interaction impacted them. Ernesto Cortes, Jr. and Sr. Christine Stephens were recognized as the key founders of COPS and WSWIAF. The best part of the symposium, as with all IAF gatherings, was the opportunity to interact and share with leaders and organizers across the network.

[Excerpt]

This may look like an ordinary stop sign.

However, for residents of Southeast Fresno, it represents a hard-fought victory in making their community safer.

Before this week, the intersection along South Avenue—a busy road cutting through city and rural farmland—was only a two-way stop. It was a dangerous crossing, and last summer, Alex Burgos, a young parishioner from St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic church, learned that firsthand when his car was T-boned by another vehicle.

“At first, I thought it was just bad luck,” Burgos said. “Then I started talking to other people in my church, and I realized I wasn’t the only one....”

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St. Francis Xavier hosted the first of several “Know Your Rights” sessions in January. These sessions, facilitated by VIP, empower immigrants by helping them understand their constitutional rights. VIP also ran a session to provide more information on immigration policies that are unfolding. 

Ildefonso Magaña, a parishioner at St. Francis Xavier, shared that his involvement in VIP has given him a new wave of hope as it provides crucial help to the Hispanic community. He also greatly appreciates the support of pastor, Fr. Bob Fambrini, SJ, whose involvement in these efforts has inspired him.  

“I have hope because the Church and different organizations [like Valley Interfaith Project] are activating themselves to help us..., shared Magaña."

Local Parishes Partner with Valley Interfaith Project to Support Parishioners on the Margins, The Catholic Sun [pdf]

With over 650 letters in hand from Oklahomans expressing concern about recent immigration enforcement, VOICE, ACTION, and the National Association of Evangelicals met with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to discuss the impact and future of immigration policy. 

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The city still hasn’t briefed Commissioners Court on their plans for Project Marvel, [Bexar County Judge] Sakai said. “That is another part of due diligence...What exactly is this thing called Project Marvel, and who's going to pay for it?...”

In 2023, leaders from COPA congregations, schools, and nonprofits spoke with over 400 families, hearing dozens of stories about families that had paid thousands of dollars in unnecessary application fees just to apply to live in an apartment. Sometimes, families learned later that the apartments they had applied for didn’t even exist.

In response, COPA leaders reached out to member institutions, building a powerful constituency across Central California. Leaders at Holy Cross engaged leaders at Temple Beth El and Mujeres en Acción, who in turn reached out to other institutions as the team grew. All in all, 13 institutions joined the process and, together, built a relationship with Assemblywoman Gail Pellerin.

COPA leaders:

• researched the issue with state policy experts and attorneys - worked with Assemblywoman Pellerin to craft new legislation, 
• testified in both the Assembly and State Senate (in 3 different languages!) and 
• overcame vested opposition by crafting a compromise with power groups.

Over the last two years, faith, labor and civic institutions across Louisiana have built the largest network of solar-powered resilience hubs in the world, in partnership with the Industrial Areas Foundation.  With a fresh investment of $500,000, they launched their 17th community lighthouse. 

[Excerpts]

Two more Shreveport churches now have the financial support needed to transform themselves into solar-powered disaster shelters after a Caddo Parish Commission vote. 

The Commission at its Thursday meeting approved using $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to make Galilee Baptist Church and Willow Chute Baptist Church into "Community Lighthouses," doubling the number of solar-powered neighborhood hubs set to be operating in Shreveport in the coming year...

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The Trump administration has expanded immigration enforcement to include schools and places of worship, reversing long-standing guidance.

This policy change has prompted...Valley Interfaith Project in Phoenix to take action, educating religious congregations about their rights and protections under the law.

"They've definitely ratcheted up in intensity," said Mike, a board member of the Valley Interfaith Project, referring to the increased urgency felt by the community.

Valley Faith Leaders Collaborate to Safeguard... Immigrants in Places of Worship, ABC 15 Arizona [pdf]

Drawing more than 700 institutionally based leaders from across North Texas, Dallas Area Interfaith's 'Cry for Justice and Call to Action' tapped into fresh energy and galvanized new participation from all types of nonprofit organizations and denominations.  Pastor Vincent Parker of Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church and Rabbi David Stern from Temple Emanu-El co-chaired the assembly, drawing on stories from active leaders around education, immigration, policing and housing. 

DAI leaders recognized Dallas Catholic Bishop Greg Kelly for Diocesan efforts around community policing and parish identification cards.  Interim Chief of the Dallas Police Department Michael Igo renewed the DPD's commitment to work with DAI, alongside a team of officers. 

Assembly co-chairs then put DAI members in the hot seat, challenging institutions to grow their organizing teams and increase their dues membership.  Members were challenged to individually report how much they would invest in DAI and which organizing teams they would join.  In response, twelve institutions committed enough dues to expand DAI's membership dues base by 60%!