Center For Third World Organizing

Programs: Program 1: maap the movement activist apprenticeship program (maap) is a pioneer national organizer training program, training activists of color in the skills needed to run campaigns that address issues affecting people of color across the country. As the oldest training program exclusively for people of color, maap has served to build a vibrant network of activists bonded by a life changing experience. This achievement has directly served equal voices goal of building strong cross-issue networks to share knowledge, organize constituencies of low-income families and pursue policy advocacy campaigns for change. In the last year we have prioritized supporting activists and organizers invested in the movement for black lives. We have invested in building the capacity of organizations that are also prioritizing the movement for black lives. Program 2 cat ctwo provides 3-day intensive organizing skills and leadership training to various member led organizations, through our community action trainings (cat) in pittsburgh. Not only does cat provide hands-on knowledge of grassroots community organizing within communities of color, it also creates spaces for people of color to build relationships with each other, further expanding the network of activists of color working towards racial justice in the area. Since it was launched 20 years ago, ctwo has trained over 4,000 individuals across the country. Participants of our community action trainings (cat) learn how to door-knock and other forms of contact work as a tool for recruiting and mobilizing constituents, participate in campaign development and actions, learn grassroots fundraising techniques, debate approaches to social change as well as develop strategies that link the legacy of organizing in communities of color with today's fight for social justice. Program 3 customized trainings ctwo continues to provide customized trainings for organizations across the country. They are focused on increasing the understanding of organizing models, deepening participants understanding of power and how it relates to the strategies organizing campaigns employ. Program 4 the movement vision project is designed to connect local organizers to a national network that will deepen connections in strategy and vision. It also is designed to respond to the high level of burn out that organizers experience.