I am about to become a low-income organizer, on my own...

[ellenrr]

and I need support.
I need moral support, and I need to know about resources.
I have no organization, I just have myself and my righteous anger.
I am tired of being pushed around and taking it!

Are there any other low-income people on DU who are either organizing, or who are outraged?

What organizations do you know of that are raising hell for older, low-income folk?

I have for years been out in the streets for Black Lives, LBGTQ, low-wage retail workers, the Earth, the animals, and all of that was and is right for me to do. And I will continue to do it. One does not exclude the other.

But now I want to organize for low-income people, particularly, but not exclusively, elders.

I am really interested in hearing from low-income people, not from middle-class people with good intentions.
Are there any on here?

I don't know anyone like me. I know lots of middle-class people who are progressive. I know lots of poor people who complain a lot.
I'm not saying all poor people only complain; clearly a lot do a lot more. I just don't know any.

thanks

[F4lconF16]

1. Not sure about how to go about this

But I'll give it a kick and a rec. Good luck

[TBF]

2. I did an income survey on here years ago and there are many

lower income folks - many may be students or retired - but they are here. Just kicking this for you!

[ellenrr]

3. thanks to both of you...

I know that there must be some on DU, I also know that threads disappear quickly.

so thanks for the kick!

[mopinko]

4. i would look local.

there are a couple of orgs here that do this work, but that doesnt help you.
i think most are more service oriented, but i assume they do some policy work.

maybe there is a rep near you, state or fed, that focuses on these issues. maybe you could find out who is lobbying them.

or maybe there is a good senior center where you could maybe even get a little money for it.

good luck.

[niyad]

5. k and r for visibility. kudos to you for doing this!

[frazzled]

6. Here is an organizing tool that will connect you with others

interested in the same area. Also provides training, etc. It's new, and I wouldn't scoff at it: it could put you in touch with others who have ideas, experience, etc.

https://www.barackobama.com/get-involved/connect/

[okaawhatever]

7. Here is a link to a list of organizations who work with seniors. They are separated by issue such as

low-income, patient rights, etc. You may start volunteering with an organization that works closely with what you want to do and then use the contacts to fund raise for issues that you want to address specifically. You may also try calling 211, which is an information help line that will put you in touch with any non-profits available in your area.

http://www.aoa.acl.gov/AoA_Programs/Tools_Resources/national_organizations.aspx

There is also the charity website Great Non-Profits which lists and gives additional info about charities. Here is a link to their seniors, you may also check low-income to find some you may want to work with or emulate.

http://greatnonprofits.org/categories/view/seniors

I'm not quite sure what you want to accomplish, but at this point you may not either. You may just have a general idea with the hope of specifics coming to you as you research. Please keep us up to date on your progress.

[okaawhatever]

8. Oh, and if you decide to start your own nonprofit here is a guide from the National

Council of NonProfits:

https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources/how-start-nonprofit

It has a tools and resources section as well as an outline of the steps one would need to take

[okaawhatever]

9. One final thing: Henceforth, please refer to these people

"I know lots of middle-class people who are progressive" as donors. LOL.

[jwirr]

10. Not sure what you are looking for but there are some groups who do advocate for the poor. Bread

for the World lobbies for food issues. It was started in the 60s.

There used to be community action groups (CAP) that did but I don't know if they still exist nationwide. They were started by LBJ as a part of the war on poverty.

And there used to be welfare advocacy groups but I have not heard from them in years.

Habitat for Humanity is another one that is very familiar to many. Although they do not act as advocates.

Legal Aids also works for the poor and has a section set aside for seniors.

[qwlauren35]

11. Sticking my nose in...

I'm a middle class grass-roots supporter of Congresswoman Donna Edwards who is running for Senate in Maryland. I've made my own flyers, my own buttons, my own t-shirts - making them is free on www.zazzle.com, and the buttons are inexpensive and easy to sell. I've created a Meet-Up on www.meetup.com to find others like me. I've created a blog on www.wordpress.com. I've e-mailed my network - about 100-150 people. I've posted on DU and Daily Kos. I've posted on my Facebook page and specifically asked friends with huge friends list to post on their page. I've googled lists of like-minded organizations and contacted them about getting involved. If you're not good with Google, tell me where you are and what you want to do, and I can see if I can find some organizations that fit what you're trying to do.

At any rate, please try using social media to promote your cause. You'd be surprised at what's out there. Starting a group on www.meet-up.com isn't free, but joining other groups generally is, and contacting their organizers is. And when you start a group, it's announced to everyone in the area who has the same tags.

Now, the thing about low-income elders - they aren't necessarily hooked into social media. But their children may be. You can also reach out to state social service agencies for help and they can put you in touch with charities that they may work with. I strongly suggest trying Catholic Charities.

Another thing about low-income seniors. Many of them live in low-income senior housing, especially if they are still driving, and you can blanket their cars with flyers. Staples and Office Depot offer flyer printing at decent rates. 100 double-sided folded flyers are around $17. Or you can use up a few ink cartridges on your own printer. Not sure which is cheaper.



I am happy to offer moral support. And I wish you luck in hunting down people who want to join you. It's up-hill, but it's worth it.

[daredtowork]

12. Congratulations

And pm me about what you're doing since I do believe you're local to you. I've been becoming a lot more politically active lately, though I'm focused on my specific city situation right now: money-corrupted politics, affordable housing, yadda yadda. But we're both affected by Alameda County's social services frack up.

[historylovr]

13. Kicking for you.

[ellenrr]

14. great response, did not know what to expect. ..

so a little more detail.
a. I'm writing a letter to the newspaper re a couple of items, and hope I may hear from someone in response to the items, people who are ticked off as I am.

b. my local church/community center is the next place I'm going to approach. They are extremely progressive and active in many issues. There used to be a group centered around poverty, but have not seen it in a while, so will see if I can reinvigorate it.

Yes, I remember CAP and also Welfare Rights, which I don't know if they still exist.
I used to work with Welfare Rights in the '70's. A great organization.

I do not work with senior centers or non-profits. they are much too genteel for me. I am much more in the style of Welfare Rights, they were quite radical and disruptive.
But I appreciate anyone's ideas -
and I will let you know how I progress.

it is nice that people are interested, and I hope I can find some local people who are interested, and also angry. And ready to fight for what it ours.

thanks!