New York Communities for Change

New York Communities for Change is a community organization that emerged from the ACORN legacy, with roots in Brooklyn and Queens. The organization focuses on issues such as affordable housing, labor rights, and social justice, often working with SEIU Local 1199, New York City Council, and New York State Legislature. As a key player in New York City's progressive movement, it has collaborated with Bertha Lewis, Jonathan Westin, and other prominent community leaders from Make the Road New York, VOCAL-NY, and Citizen Action of New York.

● History

The history of the organization is closely tied to the ACORN legacy, with many of its founding members having been involved in ACORN's New York City chapter, working alongside Wade Rathke, Maude Hurd, and other ACORN leaders. After ACORN's dissolution, former members regrouped to form New York Communities for Change, drawing inspiration from Occupy Wall Street, Black Lives Matter, and other social movements. The organization has also been influenced by the work of community organizers such as Saul Alinsky, Cesar Chavez, and Dolores Huerta, who have shaped the community organizing landscape in New York City and beyond, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. Key events, such as the New York City mayoral election, 2013, have also played a significant role in shaping the organization's trajectory, with Bill de Blasio, John Liu, and other New York City politicians engaging with the organization on issues like paid sick leave and minimum wage.

● Organization

The organization's structure is characterized by a strong emphasis on grassroots organizing, with a network of community chapters across New York City, including Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Manhattan. This approach is reminiscent of the Civil Rights Movement, which relied on grassroots organizing to drive social change, as seen in the work of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. The organization also maintains close relationships with other progressive organizations, such as SEIU Local 32BJ, New York City Central Labor Council, and Working Families Party, which have been instrumental in shaping the organization's agenda and strategy. Additionally, the organization has collaborated with academic institutions, including Columbia University, New York University, and City University of New York, to inform its policy and advocacy work, drawing on the expertise of scholars like Frances Fox Piven, Richard Cloward, and Katherine Newman.

● Activities and Campaigns

The organization has been involved in a range of activities and campaigns, including advocacy for affordable housing, labor rights, and immigrant justice, often working in coalition with Make the Road New York, VOCAL-NY, and New York Immigration Coalition. Notable campaigns have included the Fight for $15, which aimed to increase the minimum wage in New York City to $15 per hour, and the Rent Regulation Reform campaign, which sought to strengthen rent regulation laws in New York State. The organization has also been active in electoral politics, endorsing candidates like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, and Rashida Tlaib, who have been supportive of the organization's agenda, and working to mobilize voters in New York City and beyond, including in Michigan, California, and Florida.

● Leadership and Structure

The organization's leadership is characterized by a strong emphasis on community leadership and grassroots democracy, with a governing board composed of community members and organizers. Key leaders, such as Jonathan Westin and Allison Duwe, have played a significant role in shaping the organization's strategy and direction, drawing on their experience working with SEIU Local 1199, New York City Council, and other progressive organizations. The organization has also been influenced by the work of community organizers like Marshall Ganz, Heather Booth, and Ai-jen Poo, who have developed innovative approaches to community organizing and social movement building, including the use of social media and online organizing tools.

● Impact and Controversies

The organization has had a significant impact on New York City's progressive movement, helping to drive policy changes on issues like affordable housing, labor rights, and immigrant justice. However, the organization has also faced controversy, including criticism from New York City politicians like Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams, who have disagreed with the organization's tactics and strategy, as well as from conservative organizations like the Manhattan Institute and Empire Center for Public Policy, which have challenged the organization's policy agenda. Despite these challenges, the organization remains a key player in New York City's progressive movement, working in coalition with other community organizations and progressive groups to drive social change, including Planned Parenthood, NAACP, and Sierra Club. Category:Community organizations in New York City