Building for Community Action
January 13, 2025
RHF disbursed $200,000 to mobilize community leaders, grassroots organizations, lived experience experts, and other stakeholders as part of the Foundation’s first-ever open call for proposals to strengthen local movements and community-based advocacy.
The inaugural “Building for Community Action” cohort features 11 partners engaged in community organizing or direct services on issues that intersect with child welfare, such as mental health, juvenile justice, criminal justice, and equitable access to resources for families.
Over the past year, grantees hosted community forums, action days, and other activities to voice concerns about the impact of family surveillance and separation and propose community-centered alternatives to the existing child welfare response.
Albany & Rensselaer Counties
- Community Rising Project provided safe spaces for youth and families to heal while opening dialogue to learn about upcoming advocacy opportunities.
- Troy 4 Black Lives hosted monthly “Mothers Recoop” peer support meetings and community education events concerning the child welfare system. Capitol District Latinos hosted three educational panels to deepen the community’s understanding of child welfare policies and practices and raise awareness about family rights. Similarly, Saratoga BLM also educated families about their rights at local events, including the Emancipation Day Freedom Fest.
- Capital District Latinos hosted three educational panels to deepen the community’s understanding of child welfare policies and practices and raise awareness about family rights.
- Saratoga BLM also educated families about their rights at local events, including the Emancipation Day Freedom Fest.
Monroe County
- Diverse Mosaic held a CPS Teach-in Block Party to offer Know Your Rights training to 97 community members, including information about proposed Family Miranda legislation.
- Refugees Helping Refugees facilitated five workshops to educate 100 refugees about parenting expectations and cultural norms related to schooling to avoid misunderstandings and deter unnecessary contact with Child Protective Services.
- Flower City Noire hosted two community conversations to share stories, nurture connections, and find common ground for future advocacy action.
- BIPOC Peeeeeek organized parents and caregivers of children with mental health issues to participate in advocacy days.
Long Island
- Make the Road New York’s Youth Power Project provided leadership development and base-building political education to 15 youth leaders focused on how the child welfare and immigration systems intersect and exacerbate family separation.
Westchester County
- 914United engaged young people and families dually impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems through its Credible Messenger Mentorship program, building partnerships with schools, probation, corrections, and the Department of Social Services.