Opening the Door

The Importance of Language and Literacy Access under Health Reform The primary goal of health care reform is to reduce uninsured rates and thereby ensure access to quality health care for the approximately 46.3 million currently uninsured. This population consists disproportionately of people of color, immigrants and low-income people.

ICAN’s Voter Registration Work Makes the News

NWFCO affiliate Idaho Community Action Network (ICAN) is part of a newly-formed coalition, the Canyon County Latino Voter Collaborative, working to educate and ensure that Latino community members register and vote, as well as participate in other activities such as advocacy. On a recent weekend in July, more than 30 young Latino community members participatedContinue reading “ICAN’s Voter Registration Work Makes the News”

Washington CAN! Calls On Seattle Mariners to Boycott Arizona and Move The Game

This post was written by María Guillén Valdovinos of Washington CAN! On Saturday, July 24, members of Washington Community Action Network and NWFCO, along with social activists from Seattle, rallied and dropped banners both inside and outside Safeco Field at the sold-out Mariners game against the Boston Red Sox. Wearing bright yellow t-shirts with blackContinue reading “Washington CAN! Calls On Seattle Mariners to Boycott Arizona and Move The Game”

Congress Passes Financial Reform Bill!

On Thursday, July 15, Congress passed the strongest financial reform bill since the Great Depression, tightening restrictions on banks and Wall Street, cracking down on lending practices, and expanding consumer protections in order to prevent a repeat of the 2008 meltdown, the consequences from which we are still reeling. President Obama will sign the billContinue reading “Congress Passes Financial Reform Bill!”

“This is a Movement, not a Moment” — Scenes from the Montana Organizing Project Founding Convention

This post was written by Amanda Harrow, Montana Small Business Program Director An energized diverse group of people came together this past weekend in Butte, Montana, to found the Montana Organizing Project. Seventy people from labor unions, faith communities, non-profit service organizations, and other interested communities around the state joined in committing to work forContinue reading ““This is a Movement, not a Moment” — Scenes from the Montana Organizing Project Founding Convention”

Main Street Alliance Joins Small Business Majority on Amici Brief Opposing Lawsuit Against Health Reform in VA Court

This is a cross-post from the Main Street Alliance, a NWFCO-sponsored program that works with small business owners to bring their voices into important policy debates. Today, the Main Street Alliance joined Small Business Majority in filing a friend of the court brief in U.S. district court in Virginia. The brief registers small business oppositionContinue reading “Main Street Alliance Joins Small Business Majority on Amici Brief Opposing Lawsuit Against Health Reform in VA Court”

Norm Pflanz: Marching Toward Immigration Reform

While Congress was finishing debate on the historical health care reform bill, hundreds of thousands of immigrants and immigrant allies marched on the nation’s Capitol to demand another piece of critical progressive reform: Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Many of NWFCO’s partners participated in this incredible show of optimism and solidarity, including Nebraska Appleseed.

2009 Job Gap: Searching for Work that Pays

The Job Gap study calculates a basic family budget for different family structures in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. Based on this “living wage” the study then estimates the number and proportion of job openings that provide a sufficient wage to support and individual or a family’s basic needs without relying on public assistance.

An American Debt Unpaid: Stories of Native Health

An American Debt Unpaid: Stories of Native Health shares the experiences of Native people struggling to get the health care they need. The contributors provide personal accounts of their efforts to be treated with respect by practitioners, as well as their fight to improve the health and well being of their communities.