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mutual aid for the striking staff of hope works

Donation protected

this campaign is being run by and for current and former staff of hope works in burlington, vt. the funds raised for will  be utilized to: 1) pay for living expenses (rent, childcare, food, student loan payments, etc) for striking staff and 2) to pay for the legal fees for staff. 

$25,000 almost covers 1 month's worth of salary for our staff of 9 and $5,000 should (hopefully) cover legal fees.

funds are being managed by jas wheeler, one of the striking staff who has been appointed to do so by the collective.  funds received will be disbursed first to our attorney , and then will be triaged to meet the most financially insecure among us.

our story below

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“If you’re silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it” --Zora

On 12/15/18 the staff of HOPE Works called for a work-stoppage as our leadership has made this organization we love so dearly, too unsafe to exist in.

In the last week, our workplace organizing has resulted in the unjust termination of 50% of our advocacy services team. This termination comes just days after the entire staff sent a formal grievance against our leadership to the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence who then forwarded our grievance to the Attorney General. Many of us filed individual complaints with the AG due to the discrimination and mistreatment we have experienced as queer, trans, bipoc at the hands of our leadership. We have also have filed complaints with the NLRB around our right to organize.

Our requests are simple:
1) Victim-survivor support services resumed by reinstating our Victim Advocate.

2)Executive Director be removed from her position and our Advocacy Director and/or Associate Director immediately be appointed to protect programs and services.

3)Community and survivor trust in our services and agency reestablished by HOPE Works Board of Directors working with the Vermont Network to ensure that culturally competent, survivor centered community members are appointed.

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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $20 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

jas wheeler
Organizer
Burlington, VT

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